(This story is sponsored by the Vancouver Community College.)

The educators at Vancouver Community College (VCC) are getting used to winning.

This year in the Straight’s Best of Vancouver Readers’ Choice Awards, VCC captured the titles for Best Continuing Education, Best Language School, and for the fourth year in a row, Best Culinary School.

With hands-on training, expert instructors, and more than 120 programs, VCC has been helping students succeed for more than 50 years.

VCC offers comprehensive programs in business, design, health sciences, hospitality, transportation, and music. To ensure that students are taught the applicable skills in demand for each industry, the college designs programs based on consultation with B.C. employers.

For those who feel happiest in the kitchen, attending the largest culinary school in Western Canada is sure to impress future employers.  At VCC, prospective students can choose among the professional cook programs, ranging all the way from high school to Red Seal apprenticeships.  Also offered are the Asian culinary arts program, and a variety of baking and pastry courses.

Culinary students have the opportunity to contribute their creativity and expertise to culinary events such as the five-course menu at the College’s dinner series, The Chef’s Table.  Students will also work alongside some of the biggest chefs in Vancouver at the annual Flourish Gala.

Similarly, fashion students provide the wardrobes for events supported by VCC, like the “Model Organisms” fashion show for Vancouver Kids Fashion Week.

Committing to a postsecondary education can be intimidating, especially if one’s “gap year” ended up lasting longer than one year.  This is why VCC encourages potential students to attend one of its “Experience VCC” events.  As an incentive, application fees will be waived for those applying for a program or course at these sessions.

Both full and part-time studies are available to students at the three campuses: on Broadway, in Downtown, and on Annacis Island. To make sure students are able to focus on learning, VCC offers services including counseling, disability services, free professional tutoring, and Indigenous services.

To apply for a program, or to schedule a free information session or campus tour, visit www.vcc.ca/.