When I was a kid, I always wished there was a Willy Wonka golden ticket—one chance that could change everything. A single opportunity that opened doors to possibility, growth, and a better future.

Today, as I lead tours for prospective students, parents, and guardians through our Adult Education Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, I often think about that golden ticket. I explain that learning a trade is more than preparing for a job—it’s gaining entry into a world of change, confidence, and opportunity.

I sometimes feel like Willy Wonka himself. When students sign up for one of our programs, we are handing them their golden ticket. Not to a factory, but to a viable career and a future built on real, in-demand skills.

Learning a trade gives students something powerful: skill sets that employers need right now. These skills create stability, open pathways for advancement, and allow students to grow with a changing workforce. Whether a student chooses to continue their education, move into leadership, or start their own business, that trade becomes the foundation.

The golden ticket isn’t about luck.
It’s about learning.
It’s about skill.
It’s about opportunity.

At BCIT Adult Education, we don’t just teach trades—we help students step into their future.

- Dr. McAlpin

Published 2/10/26