Learn, discover new passions, and uncover your truest potential with
UFV Continuing
Education
After a Lupus diagnosis and countless hours as a hospital patient, Ro developed a passion for health care. They knew they wanted a meaningful career – and needed one that accommodated their health needs. Turns out, UFV’s Nursing Unit Clerk Certificate program was the right fit. Thanks to an invaluable practicum, Ro was hired straight out of the program. They are now thriving in a role they love – ensuring patients get the care they need.
Seventeen years of raising a family left Alexandra feeling eager to do something just for her. With her love of working with numbers, she found UFV’s Bookkeeping for Small Business Certificate, and decided on the accelerated 12-week version of the program. Thanks to the supportive instructors, Alexandra got past her initial nervousness and was ready to excel. Now she’s gaining experience in an auxiliary role at UFV and feeling excited about what the future has in store.
Leona always felt drawn to caring for older adults, but she never realized it could be a career. While supporting her mom in hospital, she realized how much joy she could bring to other patients, too. That discovery led her to UFV’s Activity Assistant Certificate program, where Leona gained the skills to turn her passion into a career in a long-term care facility. Now, she’s making a difference every day and is happily bringing smiles to residents’ faces.
As a child, Amber watched her mom care for stray animals, and she knew it was her calling in life, too. She enrolled in UFV’s Veterinary Administrative Assistant Certificate, which offered her the hands-on experience she needed to develop confidence in her skills, and a supportive environment where she could grow. Thanks to her passion and dedication, Amber’s already had many opportunities come her way, and she now has her sights set on becoming a veterinary technician.
After years working in hospitality, Emma was looking for a more meaningful career. She discovered UFV’s Activity Assistant Certificate program, and turned her interest in working with seniors into a career that allows her to enrich their daily lives. Now Emma works in a long-term care facility where she runs activities and spends quality time with residents. She’s been recognized for her efforts with a nomination for BC Care Provider of the Year, and has her sights set on attaining a leadership role.
As a UFV grad with 20 years’ experience as a dental assistant, Jaime was ready for a change. Inspired by her bookkeeper twin sister, she returned to UFV to take the Bookkeeping for Small Business Certificate, which allowed her to study while working full-time. The program taught her everything from payroll to purchase orders, and with those skills she was able to find work as an office manager at a manufacturing plant. With new doors opening on her career, Jaime is thrilled she was able to branch out and try something new.
Having moved to Vancouver from Ecuador in 2016, Karla was looking to develop a deeper understanding of Canadian business and management practices. She was already working as a logistics manager, and wanted to position herself for growth. She enrolled in UFV’s Management Skills Certificate, and loved the diversity within the classroom, and the instructors’ breadth of experience. She graduated not only ready to take on new challenges, but also with a deeper understanding of her own leadership potential.
Working as an HR Assistant in a small company, Yvonne spotted an opportunity to expand her role – and her knowledge. She asked her employer if further study would be useful, and received a hearty endorsement – and sponsorship to take UFV’s Human Resources Management Certificate. Not only did Yvonne learn a lot about HR, she also rediscovered her sense of self-confidence – something that had waned since her early career days. And regardless of where her career eventually leads, she says regaining her inner sense of self-direction has already proved invaluable.
With two degrees from UFV already under her belt, Maggi was looking to finetune her skills and uplevel up her output. Getting the chance to develop work-related projects in class that she could hand straight to her boss made the Public Relations Certificate both practical and directly applicable to her role. It also came with additional benefits: a boost in confidence, new ideas and skills that gave her a big step up.
With many years of administrative job experience under her belt, including a bit of HR work, Vicki found herself wanting to explore opportunities in HR more formally. The pandemic gave her the time she needed to research her options for continuing education. She chose UFV’s Human Resources Management Certificate because of its self-paced model of study and the blend of in-person and online learning it offered. Now that she’s graduated, Vicki has been able to transition her current role at work into a full-time job in HR.
With a long-held passion for sports, Jay has spent 14 years managing various government recreation departments. But he couldn’t pass up an opportunity to learn more about regional demographics, and explore emerging issues in Indigenous relations, innovation and agile leadership. Through UFV’s Civic Governance and Innovation Certificate, Jay has delighted in accessing unique learning opportunities all while embarking on a new role with the City of Vancouver. The course work has given him a solid foundation for growth in the latest leg of his career journey.
When her temporary role as a legal assistant turned into a genuine passion for law, Elizabeth chose UFV’s Paralegal Certificate as a means to advance her qualifications for her role with the BC Prosecution Service, where she’s worked as a paralegal on homicide cases. Now that she’s completed her diploma, she’s ready to take her next big leap: into law school! Elizabeth appreciated UFV’s online classes, and the flexibility allowed her to juggle full-time work with her part-time learning all while planning out her exciting next steps.
As a Continuing Education Program Coordinator at UFV, Jessica works with our students to ensure they have what they need to succeed in their studies. While she supports everyone from recent high school grads to mid-career professionals, she finds they have a few things in common: they love UFV’s short-term programming, its job-ready skills focus and the working professionals who teach here. But at the end of the day, her favourite part of the job is witnessing their successful transition to work that leaves them happy and fulfilled.
Our students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and circumstances. So whether you’re searching for opportunities to pursue a new career path, be a confident leader, learn in a small community, or go after your dream job, your first step toward realizing your full potential starts here. With programs and courses in disciplines ranging from health care to business management, to local government and trades, we’ve got a full roster of opportunities to upgrade your skills and find a fulfilling path. What are waiting for? Step into your future confidently and skillfully today.
While Sarah’s plan had always been to attend law school, after completing her BA and finding work at a law firm, she realized that she needed the flexibility of online learning, the support of a close-knit community and the ability to fill in specific knowledge gaps. She decided on UFV’s Legal Administrative Assistant program, then went on to Paralegal studies. Now working as a paralegal, she has her sights set on teaching, so that she can give back to the community that has buoyed her success.
After three years at UFV studying English and Kinesiology with the intention of becoming a teacher, Amanda recalled a childhood dream of becoming a vet. She decided to pivot her studies, and transitioned into UFV’s Veterinary Assistant Program to pursue her passion for caring for animals. The program’s practicum immediately led to a job in the industry, and now she works full-time in a sector she says offers endless work opportunities – not to mention daily cuddles from many furry friends.
After training as a certified arborist and working in municipal government as a natural areas and trails technician, Cara knew she wanted to climb the career ladder at work, but she lacked the necessary supervisory skills. She discovered UFV’s Management Skills Certificate program, and it was the perfect fit to build the skills she needed. She loved that she could instantly apply her learnings in the workplace, and is now well on her way to becoming the confident leader she aspires to be.
After working in a warehouse for 10 years, all while accruing over 1,000 volunteer hours in his community, Dan knew that what he really wanted to do was to work with seniors. He enrolled in UFV’s Activity Assistant program and felt supported in his efforts to complete his coursework and prepare for exams. His favourite part? The program's practicum, which confirmed for him that he was on the right track. Now Dan is embarking on his new career path feeling inspired and confident in this next chapter of his life.