Ontario colleges partner to launch 4-year business degree for tradespeople

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Algonquin College, George Brown College and Mohawk College have joined resources to launch a new four-year honours degree in Business Administration, focusing on people working in skilled trades occupations.

The partner colleges will deliver this first-of-its-kind degree in September 2022, with all instruction provided remotely and virtually. The program, approved by 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.

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.

Upon completion, graduates will have competencies in the human resources, marketing, finance and accounting aspects of skilled trades business operations. As well, they will have a grounding in research, executing strategic plans, assessing risk and fostering healthy workforce and business growth.

Applicants who already possess a trades credential, including apprenticeship and journey persons, may be able to begin the completion program in Year 3, through a prior learning assessment and recognition process. Those students will only be required to do two years study to complete the degree.

“Mohawk College is proud to be partnered with Algonquin College and George Brown College to deliver this ground-breaking program, offering tradespeople an opportunity to expand their skillsets through a flexible online option to pursue a business degree,” stated Ron McKerlie, president and CEO of Mohawk College. “Business administration has become increasingly sophisticated in the trades sectors. 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 launch of the Honours Degree Trades Management program is another indicator of the critical role Algonquin College and our partner colleges at George Brown and Mohawk play in supporting Ontario’s skilled labour force and economy,” added Algonquin College president and CEO Claude Brule. “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.”

“George Brown College is thrilled to be one of the institutions in this tri-college collaboration,” said Ian Austin, Dean of George Brown’s Centre for Business. “It is unique and innovative and builds on the knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeship-journeyperson training, as well as trades-related diploma programs.”

www.tradesmanagementdegree.ca