Less than you might expect. The Office Assistant path runs about five months in person. Financial Assistant is about nine, and Administrative Assistant about ten. Online formats run longer to fit a lighter weekly load. You could be job-ready inside a year.

Yes. The online cohort runs at a slower pace built for exactly that, and it’s fully supported the whole way. Online here means real instructors and real check-ins, not a folder of readings you work through alone.

You need to type at least 15 words per minute to start, and the program builds you to 45. Beyond that, no prior background is assumed. The shared core starts with the basics and takes you to employer-ready. This is where a lot of people start from scratch.

It depends on the path. The Office Assistant and Administrative Assistant certificates are eligible for student loans in their standard-length format. The Financial Assistant certificate is not eligible for student loans in any format. Tell us your situation and we’ll walk through the real options with you, honestly.

That’s normal, and it’s exactly what the path finder above is for. Answer two questions and it points you to a starting place. And because all three share a common core, a first choice isn’t a final one. You can also just ask us in the form below and say you’re undecided.

You finish with a certificate, a completed practicum, and skills employers in the region are hiring for. As a WorkBC referral partner, we’re connected to the local job pipeline. The point of this program is a job, not just a credential.

English Language Arts 11 or equivalent (IELTS 6.0 if applicable), Math 10 or equivalent, and a typing speed of at least 15 words per minute to start. The programs are approved by NLC’s Education Council.