Want to learn how to draft building plans, engineering blueprints, product models, or assembly manuals? A computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting program is your first step.

Drafting training focuses on teaching you how to use special software to create detailed technical drawings and blueprints for architects, engineers, and construction crews.

It can prepare you to play a pivotal role in the production of anything from houses and bridges to car parts and machinery.

And most drafting programs are fairly short. In less than 2 years, you will be ready to take on your first job as a draftsperson or CAD technician.

But finding a quality drafting program can be challenging. There are so many options out there, from short courses and certificates to diplomas and even degrees.

How can you tell which one is best for you? What should you be looking for?

In this post, we break down the 6 key characteristics of a solid CAD and drafting program. Find out what features are most important so you can start your career with confidence.

Updated June, 2021.

Making it as a programmer analyst is about so much more than learning how to code.

This occupation demands a surprisingly broad skillset that ranges from IT mastery to creativity to communications to problem-solving to diplomacy to business savvy.

Ontario is the only province in Canada that offers paralegals the chance to become licensed and practice independently in certain areas of law.

That's no minor thing. Being licensed means you can represent clients on your own before tribunals, in small claims court, and in certain criminal matters.

You can also conduct legal research, participate in hearings, prepare legal documents, take depositions and affidavits, and give legal advice.

To earn a paralegal license from the Law Society of Ontario, you have to graduate from an accredited paralegal studies program and pass the licensing exam.

There are different types of programs, including diplomas, certificates, and bachelor's degrees. Lengths vary from 1-4 years.

In this post, we focus on the fastest route to becoming a licensed paralegal—a paralegal diploma program.

So what exactly will you learn in a paralegal studies diploma? What specific knowledge and skills can you expect to gain?

Let's check out the details.

Think you might want to pursue a career in 2D animation? Now is an excellent time to get started, especially in Ottawa.

There is so much animation work flowing through the city that studios can't find enough qualified people to meet production needs.

Some studios are so desperate for local talent that they are having to outsource work overseas.

That's why Herzing College created an accelerated 2D animation course. Our mission is to expand the local animation scene by producing skilled graduates who can fill those available studio jobs.

This program teaches the software and real animation skills you need to get hired - in just 12 months of training.

What makes Herzing's 2D animation course so unique? Here's what you can expect in class.

Photo: Karl Raynes at his home office in Winnipeg

When he moved to Canada in 2013, Karl Raynes wasn't planning on starting a business.

He got a steady job at a law firm, thought about pursuing a career in computer networking, and even took at few IT courses.

And then one day, Karl and his fiance came up with a brilliant idea for a home-care services company.

He immediately began looking for business training that would help him launch the company and make it a success.

Karl discovered Herzing College and enrolled in the Business Administration program.

This training is designed for people who want to work in an office, manage a team, or start their own business. 

Karl signed up, worked through the courses, and actually launched his company while completing the internship.

We interviewed Karl a few months after graduation to get his review of the Business Administration program, and see how the company is going so far.

Here's what we found out.

If you're interested in architecture and passionate about the environment, it makes good sense to consider a sustainable architecture diploma.

Diplomas teach practical design and drafting skills, with a focus on green building principles. Where degrees go deep into the history and theory of sustainable architecture, diplomas focus on job-ready drafting skills.

A diploma is a good option for someone who wants to work in architecture, but doesn't want to invest years of training to become a licensed architect.

But programs of this kind are fairly new, so a lot of students have questions about how training works. It's important to know what skills you'll graduate with and where you can work after college.

How is sustainable architecture different from traditional architecture programs? What "extra" or different coursework is involved?

Here's everything you need to know about diplomas in sustainable design, including main areas of study and career paths after college.

If you want to become an architectural drafter or building design technician, your first step is to find a quality drafting course.

Architectural drafters work under the supervision of an architect or engineer. They create the blueprints and technical drawings builders use to actually construct a new building.

Drafters participate in the design process from start to finish. After a few years of experience, a drafter or design technician may consult directly with clients to develop concepts and draft designs from scratch.

Looking for a fast training option? It makes sense to consider a college drafting course versus a university degree in architecture. 

But not all drafting programs are made equal.

So what should you look for? What skills will you need to get hired?

In this post, we break down exactly what to notice when comparing drafting courses and narrowing down your options.

Here's what you need to know.

Updated June, 2021.

Don't think office assistants need specific training to do their jobs well? Think again! This role is increasingly important—and increasingly complex.

Office assistants are needed in businesses and organizations of every stripe and size. From non-profits to start-ups to multi-national corporations. No professional team can survive without skilled administrators keeping the wheels turning.

So, it's no surprise that trained, talented office admins are highly sought after. In Winnipeg, the Government of Canada Job Bank is predicting steady demand for office administrators straight through to 2026.

What exactly will you need to take advantage of those job opportunities, and build a successful career as an office assistant?

Start with the top 5 skills taught in quality office assistant training. These are the competencies absolutely every employer is looking for.

Interested in becoming an interior designer? You've probably noticed that there are plenty of training programs to choose from, at both the college and university level.

So how do you know which option is best for you? What's the difference between an interior design diploma and an interior design degree?

Both types of programs cover design concepts, technical skills, and industry software. Both typically offer internship opportunities to help students get real-world experience as part of their training.

But degree programs spend a lot more time on design theory while diploma programs are built around practical design skills.

Degree programs are longer and more in-depth; diploma programs are shorter and more streamlined.

In this post, we help you understand the big difference between interior design diplomas and degrees - so you can decide which one is right for you.

The need for skilled cybersecurity professionals is already huge. And it's getting bigger.

It's estimated that upwards of 38 billion devices around the world will be Internet-connected by 2025.

And with more of us working remotely and relying on online services for everything from grocery deliveries to medical consultations, people who can keep those systems secure will find their skills in ever-greater demand.

But is a university degree necessary to get started in cybersecurity?

The short answer is no. Many job postings do call for a degree, but that doesn't necessarily mean you can't land those roles without one.

In many cases, employers are more interested in what you can do rather than what credentials you hold. It's more about proving your skills on the job rather than in the classroom.

And that means that some basic cybersecurity training can be enough to launch you into a new career.

Exactly what skills do you need and what are employers looking for? Here's what you need to know.