BCIT is proud to announce the launch of its first-ever technical education course within its respected Prosthetics and Orthotics (P&O) program: Thermoplastic Forming Techniques for Orthotics (PROR 1000). The new course marks a major step forward for formal technical training in the P&O field in Canada, an area that has long been identified as a critical gap by industry professionals.
In Canada, dedicated technical training in P&O is limited. As the first and only Institute offering this course in Western Canada, BCIT is expanding opportunities in this essential healthcare field by introducing a flexible, short-form option focused on accessible, skills-based education.
About the course
Debuting summer 2025 as a hybrid microcredential badge course, this course combines online and hands-on learning to equip learners with foundational and advanced skills in thermoplastic vacuum forming used in orthotic device fabrication.
“We’ve heard the call for technical education loud and clear — from the Program Advisory Committee, local prosthetic and orthotic clinics, and Orthotics Prosthetics Canada (OPC),” says Loren Schubert, Program Head at BCIT. “This course is the direct result of years of advocacy and a recent comprehensive needs assessment that clearly demonstrated a demand for formal, accessible technical training.”
A new approach to technical learning
The Thermoplastic Forming Techniques for Orthotics course is the first in what BCIT plans to be a series of microcredential badge courses, each tailored to specific skills within prosthetic and orthotic fabrication. Different than the Institute’s existing full-time postgraduate diploma in clinical methods of P&O, these new offerings will focus exclusively on technical competencies. The goal is to provide current and aspiring P&O technicians, many of whom have learned on the job, with structured, high-quality educational opportunities.
Open to learners across Canada and from any professional background, the course is especially suitable for technicians, assistants, and support staff already working in the field. The course format includes approximately 1.5 days of online, asynchronous theory, followed by a two-day, in-person lab held on August 14–15, 2025, at the BCIT Burnaby campus.
Key learning outcomes
During the in-person session, students will complete five guided fabrication projects:
- Solid Rigid Ankle Foot Orthosis
- Energy-Storing Ankle Foot Orthosis
- Flexible Wrist Hand Orthosis
- Plastic Foot Orthosis
- Foam/Cork Foot Orthosis
Students will gain practical experience with vacuum-forming equipment, materials handling, and technical decision-making based on real-world prescriptions and fabrication challenges.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Safely and effectively operate thermoforming equipment
- Select appropriate materials based on device design and patient needs
- Execute key techniques such as internal reinforcements, corrugated structuring, and posting
- Critically assess the quality of their orthotic devices
“This course isn’t just about technique — it’s about elevating the standard of care across the country,” adds Loren. “By formalizing technical education, we’re improving outcomes for patients and supporting the professional growth of those behind the scenes.”
Enrollment is now open, and spaces are limited due to the intensive hands-on nature of the course.
Register now for the Thermoplastic Forming Techniques Badged course.
(This article was written by Loren Schubert with assistance from ChatGPT on June 3, 2025. Edited and fact-checked by Loren Schubert.)