Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT), founded by five First Nations, focuses on learning that is based on Indigenous culture, tradition and knowledge. Nearly 80 per cent of students are Indigenous and the school is fully governed by members of the First Nations community. An Elders council provides support and guidance for NVIT students. NVIT has an immediate entrance bursary covering one year of tuition for all Indigenous Grade 12 graduates in B.C. All NVIT offerings have an Indigenized curriculum, including career-training programs in business, health, environmental studies, education, trades, justice studies and human services. A new Indigenous business hybrid program launches in September of 2025, which will be a community-led program teaching students Indigenous knowledge systems and the challenges faced by Indigenous communities in the modern economy.
Some of NVIT’s programs are offered online, and three travelling trades-training centres bring 12-week trades courses to rural locations.
Quick facts
School size:
Small
Tuition:
Degree $3,000-$4,600
Diploma $3,000-$6,000
Certificate $2,000-$3,600
Residence offerings:
Yes
Popular programs
Bachelor of Social Work
Indigenous Early Childhood Education Certificate
Indigenous Human Services Certificate
Welder Foundation Certificate
Indigenous Language Fluency Certificate
Cool options
Language Fluency: One-year degree and certificate programs are open to members of Indigenous communities who speak Dakelh, Nłeʔkepmx, Nsyilxcen, Nadut’en, Niwhkinic, Secwépemc or St’át’imcets.
Indigenous Human Services: Students learn how to approach social work through an Indigenous perspective, blending contemporary practices in the field with Indigenous ways of knowing. Graduates can move directly into the bachelor of social work program.
Indigenous Holistic Wellness and Addictions: Courses focus on healing through understanding the history of the colonization and genocide of Indigenous people and of complex trauma theory.