College to halt intake and review Computer Support Technician program

WHITEHORSE—Yukon College is pressing pause on the one-year Computer Support Technician certificate program. The College has suspended intake to the program for the upcoming academic year and is conducting a review to assess how the program can better meet the needs of students and industry. 

“We are asking Yukon employers about their IT support needs and looking at comparative programs in Canada,” said Rodney Hulstein, chair of the School of Business and leadership at Yukon College.

“Canadian employers generally require job candidates to have a two-year diploma as a minimum. We are assessing both the local demand for this credential and our ability to compete with two, three and four year program offerings in BC and Alberta,” added Hulstein.

Originally a two-year diploma, the program began in 2007 as a collaboration between North West Community College, College of New Caledonia, the College of the Rockies, Northern Lights College, and Yukon College. 

The colleges offered program courses entirely online and the collaboration reduced the teaching load and cost of offering the program for all partners. As enrolments declined, partner colleges exited the collaboration. North West Community College withdrew in 2014 taking with it five of the nine diploma courses taught by their faculty. Remaining partners Yukon College and the College of New Caledonia (CNC) then revamped the program as a one-year certificate.

Between 2014 and 2017, the certificate program saw 20 full-time students at Yukon College but only one graduate.

The withdrawal of CNC in 2017 left Yukon College as the last partner standing. The college suspended intake last year, but continued to teach the program in 2017-18 to allow current students the opportunity to complete the certificate. Four students continued, one of whom will graduate this week.

“The withdrawal of our partners in this program requires a complete rethink of how Yukon College can support students seeking a career in IT,” said Hulstein.

Yukon businesses, municipalities, First Nations and territorial governments are encouraged to contact Hulstein to provide input or feedback on the program.

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