Choosing the right training program in Canada: what to check before you pay

A training program can help you move forward in your career. Choosing carefully can help you avoid taking on debt for education that doesn’t lead to the job you want. 

A professional-looking website doesn’t prove that a school is trustworthy. A high price doesn’t prove that a program is credible. Academic advisers at the school may offer useful guidance while also trying to sell you the program.

Arnaud Coullaut, Windmill Microlending’s compliance and risk lead, encourages prospective students to question employment promises before enrolling. “If a program promises a six-figure job after just six weeks of training, it is probably too good to be true.”

So, how can you assess a program before you enrol? 

Start with the job you want

Ask the school a simple question: What job will this program qualify me to do?

Then check the answer with someone outside the school. Speak with employers, look at current job postings or contact the regulator for your profession.

This is especially important if you want to work in a regulated profession. A program may sound connected to your field without meeting the requirements you need to work in it.

If a school representative says a program is “basically the same” as another qualification, don’t assume that is true. Ask for the exact name of the credential and verify it yourself.

Check the school and the program

Search for the school in the Directory of Educational Institutions in Canada. It lists institutions that are currently recognized, authorized, registered or licensed by the appropriate authorities.

If you are considering a private career college, check its provincial record. Depending on the province, you may also find compliance notices, enforcement actions or penalties:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan

Check the specific program, not just the school. If you can’t find it, contact the provincial regulator and ask whether it should be registered or approved.

Registration is a good first check. It doesn’t guarantee that the program is right for your career.

Verify marketing claims

Look beyond the school’s sales pitch. Search for graduates on LinkedIn and see where they work. Read reviews from more than one source. Check who teaches the program and what experience they have.

Use the Government of Canada’s Job Bank to check job requirements, wages and employment prospects.

Be cautious if a school:

• guarantees a job or salary
• promises a major career change after a very short course
• pressures you to enrol or pay quickly
• gives vague answers about the credential
• won’t provide its claims in writing

If an offer sounds too good to be true, take more time to investigate it.

Understand the full cost

Ask for the total cost in writing. Include tuition, books, equipment, exams and other fees.

Compare the cost with similar programs and the salary you could realistically earn. Read the cancellation and refund rules before signing anything.

Once you’ve found a credible program that fits your career plan, Windmill Microlending may be able to help with the cost. Eligible skilled immigrants and refugees can apply for a low-interest loan of up to $15,000 for eligible expenses such as training, licensing exams, credential assessments, books and professional fees.

Windmill clients can also access career support, including one-on-one coaching.

Found a credible school and a program that fits your career goals? Take the next step: check your eligibility for a Windmill loan.