July 18, 2022 – Three Ontario colleges—Algonquin, George Brown, and Mohawk—have partnered to launch a new 4-year honours degree in Business Administration, focusing on people working in skilled trades occupations.

“Business administration has become increasingly sophisticated in the trades sectors,” said Ron J. McKerlie, president & CEO, Mohawk College. “This program recognizes and builds on students’ experience in trades and helps them develop the business skills they need to advance in their careers.”

Approved by the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities, the program is suitable for those who seek to “grow their own businesses, take on greater responsibilities in their current work environments, or pursue management careers in medium-to-large organizations”.

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. This theoretical instruction will be combined with 420 hours of structured work experiences (or equivalent), for which students receive credit.

“Trades-related entrepreneurs are a significant economic force, and 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,” said Claude Brulé, president & CEO, Algonquin College.

Applicants who already possess a trades credential—including apprentice and journeyman—may be able to begin the completion program in Year Three, through a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition process. Those students will only be required to do two years study to complete the degree.

“[This program] is unique and innovative, and builds on the knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeship/journeyperson training, as well as trades-related diploma programs,” said Ian Austin, dean, Centre for Business, George Brown College.

The colleges will deliver this “first-of-its-kind” degree in September 2022, with all instruction provided remotely and virtually.

Interested? Learn more about the Bachelor of Business Administration (Trades Management, Hons) program.