Three Ontario colleges partner to launch a business degree for tradespeople
Three Ontario colleges have joined forced to offer a new degree program that targets the specific needs of people working in skilled trades occupations.
Algonquin College, George Brown College and Mohawk College announced last week the launch of a four-year honours degree in Business Administration.
The program, which has already received approval from the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities, is intended for people working in the skilled trades sector who are looking to grow their own businesses, take on greater responsibilities in their current work environments, or pursue management careers in medium-to-large organizations.
“Trades-related entrepreneurs are a significant economic force,” said Algonquin College President and CEO Claude Brulé. “This program will help them navigate the increasingly complex challenges of operating and growing their businesses during a time of immense opportunity, all with the flexibility to learn based on their own timetables.”
The online Bachelor of Business Administration (Trades Management) (Honours) degree will concentrate on business administration, managerial skills, accounting, project management, leadership, marketing, communication and applied research competencies. Virtual, theoretical instruction will be supplemented with 420 hours of structured work experiences.
Upon completion, graduates will have not only have developed key skills in the human resources, marketing, finance and accounting sides of skilled trades business operations, but they will also have developed a grounding in research, executing strategic plans, assessing risk and fostering healthy workforce and business growth.
“Business administration has become increasingly sophisticated in the trades sectors,” said Mohawk College President and CEO Ron J. McKerlie. “This program recognizes and builds on students’ experience in trades and helps them develop the business skills they need to advance in their careers.”
The colleges will deliver this first-of-its-kind degree beginning in September.
More information is available at tradesmanagementdegree.ca.