Overview
Are you looking to upskill quickly for a career switch, re-enter the workforce, or work in IT? The BCIT Technology Support Professional certificate program offers job-ready skills in just ten months.
The Technology Support Professional (TSP) hands-on program provides a solid foundation of Information Technology (IT) skills needed for tech support positions today, preparing you to join the workforce immediately. It is ideal for those who do not have previous education or background in computing.
In addition to core technical training, you will also:
- Participate in mock interviews
- Gain skills in writing a competitive resume
- Create a professional LinkedIn profile highlighting your new IT skills
- Enhance competencies such as self-care, time management, communication and teamwork
About the program
- Work through this intensive, hands-on 40-week full-time program with your cohort, sharing your experience and expertise, and building a professional network that will last long after you graduate
- Full-time (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, 9:00 until 4:00 pm) certificate program
- Offered entirely online or blended if you prefer to be partly at Downtown campus
- Class is live-streamed from a state-of-the-art broadcast room, adjacent to the new Tech Collider space.
- 1 intake: September
- 7 weeks full-time work term in industry, if eligible
- Tuition includes a laptop, ebooks, and up to 4 exam vouchers for optional certifications
- Excellent job placement rate upon graduation
See the Program Details to learn more about what to expect from TSP, and how to prepare for a career in IT.
Who should complete the TSP Certificate?
This program might be for you if you:
- Already have a credential, but are ready to start a new career in Information Technology
- Are looking to quickly earn the skills to start a career in IT
- Enjoy critical thinking, troubleshooting, and problem-solving, which are core skills for an IT career
- Enjoy working with people in an office or remotely
- Are seeking a supportive, hands-on educational experience studying in Canada
If any of these sound like you, please check the Entrance Requirements to ensure you can apply and start your new IT career path!
What Technology Support Professionals grads can do
By earning your BCIT Certificate, you’ll be honing your computing, organizational, and communication skills to prepare for various positions in IT.
With seven weeks of work experience under your belt, you’ll have a significant advantage during your job search.
Find out more about the program by checking out some of our grad stories:
- Kansas Mackenzie shares 7 tips to succeed at TSP
- Quan Nguyen reflects on his inspiring – and successful – journey
- Sean Ellis & Jenny Wong praise the hands-on experience that TSP provides
- Shajimon Prabhakaran decided to change careers after a workplace injury
Or read the interview with Program Head Orrett Morgan about the blended model that offers you more flexibility.
Learn more about the opportunities on the Graduating and Jobs page.
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
| Intake | Delivery | Applicants | Applications Open |
| September | Blended | Domestic and International | October 1st* |
| September | Online | International only | October 1st* |
*or next business day
Entrance requirements
This program has a two-step admission process. Applicants must meet all entrance requirements and will be accepted on a first qualified basis as long as space remains.
Step 1: Pre-entry assessment
Applicants are required to complete the Pre-entry Assessment form [PDF] to review their prior experience and how they meet the entrance requirements.
Please email your completed assessment form to TPP@bcit.ca.
An approved pre-entry assessment form must be uploaded to complete your application.
Step 2: Meet the following entrance requirements
- English language proficiency: Category 3 – English Studies 12 (50%) or equivalent
International applicants
The blended delivery option is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Students enrolled in this program must complete the mandatory work component to qualify for graduation. A co-op work permit is required prior to starting the work component in Canada.
The online delivery option is available to international applicants who will complete the program from outside Canada or who currently have a valid status in Canada other than study permit. International students completing the program fully online are not eligible for a study permit.
Apply to program
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
- Intake options:
- Domestic applicants can only select the blended delivery option.
- International applicants can choose between the online delivery or blended delivery option.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
Blended and online intakes are offered in September each year.
Please see the program overview for precise dates.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Use our tuition estimator to find tuition and fees for this program.
For more information on full-time tuition and fees, visit:
Books & supplies
Tuition fees include digital books and tablet, supplies, and vendor exam vouchers.
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
If eligible, female students can apply for the $1000 Debbe Gervin Memorial Entrance Award.
Refund policy
- If notice is submitted in writing and received by the TSP Program Office AT LEAST twelve (12) working days prior to the first day of classes, all tuition fees paid (less the $2,000.00 deposit) will be refunded.
- If notice is submitted in writing and received by the TSP Program Office by 4:00 p.m. on the second day of class, all fees paid less $3,000.00 ($2,000.00 deposit and $1,000.00 penalty fee) will be refunded.
- There will be no refund of fees issued after the second day of class.
- Withdrawal for medical reasons, possible partial refund with doctor's medical note.
Cancellation Policy
This program is subject to limited and minimum enrolment. Lack of sufficient enrolment will result in BCIT cancelling specific intakes of the program and will entitle accepted students of that intake to a full refund of all fees paid.
Courses
Class hours
9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday (excluding statutory holidays)
Program matrix
| Required Courses: | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| TSPP 1010 | Network Fundamentals | 5.5 | |
| TSPP 1020 | Network Operations/Security | 5.5 | |
| TSPP 1030 | Operating System (OS) Fundamentals for Admins | 5.0 | |
| TSPP 1040 | Linux Troubleshooting Project | 4.0 | |
| TSPP 1060 | IT Career Readiness | 1.5 | |
| TSPP 2015 | Windows/Linux Server Administration | 7.0 | |
| TSPP 2025 | Advanced Server Administration | 4.0 | |
| TSPP 2035 | Datacenter Administration and Automation | 2.0 | |
| TSPP 2045 | Microsoft 365 Administration | 1.5 | |
| TSPP 2055 | Capstone Project | 4.0 | |
| TSPP 3010 | Work Term | 10.0 | |
| Total Credits: | 50.0 | ||
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
Program Details
Accepting applications for the September 2023 intake starting October 1, 2022.
What will you learn?
The TSP program provides a solid foundation of IT skills on which students can build. Our program is taught in a multi-platform environment with qualified instructors. By the end of the program, students will be able to:
- Install and configure multiple operating systems such as Windows, Windows Server, and Linux
- Configure machines in a virtual environment
- Create routed network environments
- Demonstrate understanding of core network concepts (OSI Model, IPv4, DHCP, Routing, File/Print services, Email)
- Describe current computing concepts (Cloud computing, Storage Area Networks, Virtualization)
- Create a professional resume, and use interview skills to qualify for IT support positions
Work Term
Part of the program is a seven-week industry work term to give you the opportunity to get real industry experience, just as you’re about to graduate. We have relationships with local businesses interested in working with you. Please note that work terms are not guaranteed but earned when you’re eligible to participate in the work term process.
Program length
40 weeks, full-time
Program delivery
This program offers intakes in the following delivery modes:
- Blended: The intake includes an intensive classroom component augmented by labs, team projects, and assignment as well as online instruction.
- Online: The intake is delivered fully online.
Program location
This program is taught through a combination of online and classroom instruction, with the classroom instruction held at the Downtown Campus.
BCIT Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC
Graduating & Jobs
Job opportunities
Graduates find careers in a variety of industries including business, finance, government, health, information technology, telecommunications and service.
Depending on previous academic and work experience, career paths for graduates may include but are not limited to user support specialist, junior network administrator, helpdesk support, user support analyst and technical support analyst.
Read about two Technology Support Professional grads who benefited from a solid foundation of IT skills, or follow Quan Nguyen’s inspiring career journey.
Graduate outcome survey highlights
94% of graduates were very satisfied or satisfied with their education
93% of graduates find a program-related job within six months
90% rated quality of instruction as very good or good
89% rated TSP as useful in getting their job
Career services
Your ultimate goal is to find a TSP-related job once you graduate. We support you with:
- Resume writing skills
- LinkedIn profile tips
- Mock technical interview training
- Access to BCIT Student Association (BCITSA) Career Specialists
- BCITSA Industry Days job fairs
- Specialized workshops, employer showcases, and individual support and guidance and more. Check out BCITSA’s services.
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2020-2022 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2019-2021 graduates and for Degree 2017-2019 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Faculty
Orrett Morgan, TSP Program Head
Rajen Deol, TSP Faculty
Staff
Bal Lidhar, Program Coordinator
Advisory committee
BCIT is well-respected by employers for its ties to industry. In Computing, this connection is formalized through a Program Advisory Committee (PAC) comprised of experts in a range of roles from a cross-section of companies. While PAC membership varies, representatives typically come from tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon, government and public infrastructure organizations, software companies, gaming and entertainment, and more.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this program, please send us an email.
You can also use the form below to make contact with our department, or other applicable departments at BCIT.
Questions or comments?
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