Bring your skills from the worksite and lead a classroom as a trades and technology high school teacher

You’re an experienced trades and technology professional, and it’s time to use your expertise to inspire the builders, fixers, and problem-solvers of tomorrow.

Why pursue a Bachelor of Education in Trades and Technology?

• Launch your trades teaching career using your existing trades certification
• Share your experience with the next generation of skilled tradespeople
• Begin teaching in a high school shop after only months of study
• Develop valuable teaching skills in a small cohort and supportive learning environment
• Learn how to be a competent, empathic, and reflective teacher through multiple practicum placements

What will I learn?

Prepare for teaching with course topics like classroom information technology, adolescent learning and development, literacy across content areas, practicums and more.

How the program works

The Bachelor of Education in Trades and Technology (BETT) trains trades professionals to become successful teachers using:

• Lectures
• Discussions
• Demonstrations
• Self-directed studies
• Practicum placements

The first year of the program (Phase 1) is accelerated and taken over four consecutive semesters.

You can earn the full BETT degree in a flexible format. Complete Phase 2 of the program with a blend of in-person and online classes, during summer semesters, or while working as an educator.

Equivalent courses from other accredited universities may be used to satisfy remaining requirements, providing you meet residency requirements. There is also an opportunity to receive academic credit for your industry work experience through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition.

Graduation requirements

Phase 1

Summer semester 1 (14 credits)

• EDTE, Principles of Trades and Technology Education (3)
• EDTE, Adolescent Learning and Development (3)
• EDTE, Diversity and Inclusive Education (3)
• EDLL, Literacy Across the Content Areas (2)
• EDIT, Information Technology Across the Curriculum (3)

Fall semester (15 credits)

• EDTE, Learning, Curriculum and Assessment (3)
• EDTE, Practicum 1 (2)
• EDTE, Practicum 2 (2)
• EDCO, Communications 1 (2)
• EDFN, Aboriginal Culture and Learning (3)
• EDIE, Inclusive Education: Specific Learning Disabilities (3)

Winter semester (10 credits)

• EDTE, Practicum 3 (2)
• EDTE, Practicum 5 (3)
• EDTE, Organizing and Managing Technology Learning Facilities (2)
• EDTE, Practicum 4 (3)

Summer semester 2 (13 credits)

• EDTE, Professional Growth and Development (4)
• EDTE, Legal Issues in Secondary Education (3)
• EDTE, History of Education (3)
• EDTE, Philosophy of Education (3)

Once you’ve completed Phase 1, you are eligible to apply for a Trades Certificate from the BC Teacher Regulation Branch, which certifies you to teach shop in BC high schools.

Phase 2

The full BETT degree requires a minimum of 150 credits to complete. Once you’ve completed Phase 2, you are eligible to apply for a Professional Certificate teaching credential from the BC Teacher Regulation Branch.

Complete both levels of four of these subjects other than your Red Seal specialty:

• EDTE, Woodworking 1
• EDTE, Woodworking 2
• EDTE, Metalworking 1
• EDTE, Metalworking 2
• EDTE, Power Mechanics 1
• EDTE, Power Mechanics 2
• EDTE, Design and Drafting 1
• EDTE, Design and Drafting 2
• EDTE, Electricity and Electronics 1
• EDTE, Electricity and Electronics 2

Three credits of MATH at the 1000 level or above and any additional credits needed to total 150.

It’s highly recommended that you develop an additional academic teachable subject to increase your employment opportunities, especially in smaller schools. To do this, you must take at least 18 senior credits in that subject and at the 3000 to 4000 level.

Academic requirements

• A Canadian Interprovincial Trades Qualification (Red Seal) or equivalent recognized or issued by the BC Industry Training Authority
• Grade graduation or equivalent (e.g. Adult Graduation Certificate that meets the BC provincial Grade graduation requirement)
• Grade 12 Math or equivalent
• Six credits (two courses) of university English with at least credits in Literature taken through a Canadian university with an average grade point average of 33 (C+). Courses in linguistics, language study, grammar, technical writing, business writing, communications or English as a Second Language are not eligible to fulfil the English requirement.
• Completion of the Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition process to provide you with academic credits for a three-year trades training program or 60 academic credits for a four-year trades training program.

Teaching experience requirements

You must have at least 100 hours of relevant volunteer or paid experience working with groups of middle or high school students. These hours must be completed by the application deadline. A minimum of 25 hours must be in a middle or secondary-school classroom in Canada (or equivalent environment).*Not applicable to the January 2022 intake cohort.

Professional experience

A minimum of five years post-Trade Qualification experience in a Trade, within the past 10 years, that is directly applicable to Technology Education subject areas in the BC secondary school curriculum (electronics and robotics, metalwork, power technology, or woodwork).

Career Options

Phase 1 – Certifies you to teach in high school technology education (shop) classes related to your trade, and prepares you to apply for a Trades Certificate teaching credential.

Phase 2 – Graduate with a Bachelor of Education in Trades and Technology. You are then eligible to apply for a Professional Certificate teaching credential, which enables you to teach throughout the BC school system.