Private Career Colleges (PCC)


Thinking about a private career college education? This is a great place to start.

What is a private career college?

A private career college is a school that prepares students for a specific job, or gives them specific skills, such as computer skills. There are more than 500 private career colleges in Ontario.

What kinds of programs do they offer?

Private career colleges offer certificate and diploma programs in many fields such as:

  • Business
  • Health services
  • Human services
  • Applied arts
  • Information technology
  • Electronics
  • Services
  • Trades

Who are these programs suited to?

Private career colleges often appeal to people who:

  • Need specific job skills to join the work force
  • Have academic qualifications and want to add to their practical skills to become more competitive in the job market.

How are programs offered?

Private career colleges often work with small groups of students rather than large classes, and offer:

  • Flexible learning schedules
  • Enrolment at many different times during the year
  • Compressed programs that deliver training over a short time.

Where can I find a private career college?

You can search for a private career college on this website.

Who runs private career colleges?

Unlike public universities and colleges of applied arts and technology, which receive funding from the government, career colleges are private organizations. Some operate for a profit, as a business. Others are non-profit organizations.

Are there special standards for private career colleges?

Yes. Private career colleges operating in Ontario must be registered, and have their programs approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. The act that governs private career colleges is called the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005. This act ensures that private career colleges meet certain standards for the programs they offer, as well as advertising, refund policies, and instructor qualifications. You can also learn, in the Information for students section of this website, about new standards which are being developed for private career colleges in Ontario.