VIU Expands Graduate Business Programs to Support Regional Needs

Vancouver Island University (VIU) has developed two new Faculty of Management graduate programs to support the substantial growth of the business sector. 

The Graduate Diploma in International Trade (GDIT) and Graduate Diploma in Project Management (GDPM) are both 12-month programs that will be starting in September 2019. 

“As a regional university, we are constantly assessing the needs of the industries in the communities we serve,” says Joanna Hesketh, VIU Graduate Business Studies Director. “These two programs support the growing need for these skill sets and will expand our students’ capacity to find employment upon graduation.” 

In September 2018, Vancouver Island became officially designated as a Foreign Trade Zone by the Government of Canada. With the designation, the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) is focusing its efforts on highlighting the region’s network of trading centers and leveraging its unique location with multiple deep-water ports and airports. This translates into more opportunities for new businesses and a demand for knowledgeable workers in international trade. 

Students of the GDIT program will learn key management principles as it relates to international business and trade. Upon competition of the program, graduates will be eligible to pursue the Certified International Trade Professional designation. 

The GDPM program provides students with the opportunity to receive designation of Certified Associate in Project Management and Project Management Professional upon completion of further exams. 

“Students in this specialization will be set up to get their certification and have their fees paid for to become part of the Project Management Institute and gain their valuable resources,” says Hesketh. 

The Project Management Institute is a global professional networking organization for project management professionals and it provides certifications, resources, academic research and professional development courses to its 550,000 members. According to the Project Management Institute, through 2027, the project management-oriented labour force is expected to grow by 33 per cent, or almost 22 million new jobs. 

“If you do a quick job search on Vancouver Island, you will see that a large majority of jobs are requiring those project management skills,” says Amber McMillan, President of the Project Management Institute – Vancouver Island Chapter. “If you attend school for project management, there will be a job waiting for you at graduation. There is a huge need for these skills and demand is only increasing.”

With more than 700 local members, the Project Management Institute of Vancouver Island supports graduates with scholarships and mentoring to promote the growth and viability of the industry. 

Both the GDIT and GDPM program are currently accepting applications for enrollment in September 2019. 

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Rae-Anne Guenther, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University

P: 250-741-6673 l  C: 250-619-1088 l E: Rae-Anne.Guenther@viu.ca | T: @VIUNews