Willis College
Help Desk & Network (Support) Technician
Train to Become a Help Desk & Network Support Technician in 35 Weeks
Online (Remote Classes)
Program Length:
35 weeks
Program Hours:
760
Credentials:
- ON Diploma
Study Options:
- Online
Start Dates
Ottawa
May 3, 2027
Online
August 24, 2026
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Train to Become a Help Desk & Network Support Technician in 35 Weeks
Launch your career in technology with the Help Desk & Network Support Technician program at Willis College — the perfect entry point into the fast-growing world of IT and cybersecurity. Designed in collaboration with industry leaders like Fortinet, Sophos, and Check Point, this hands-on diploma equips you with the technical expertise to install, configure, and secure computer systems and networks in real-world environments.
In under a year, you’ll master key skills in Windows and Linux administration, Active Directory, network architecture, and help desk operations. You’ll also gain the communication and documentation skills employers demand, preparing you to solve complex technical issues and support users across industries.
Train in our multi-vendor Cyber Lab, available in-person or online, with flexible schedules and live instructor access. Our dedicated Career Services team provides personalized job support, from resume preparation to interview coaching and employer connections.
Whether you’re starting your first career, changing paths, or looking to specialize, this program gives you the skills and confidence to succeed in IT.
$30.26
Average Wage/HR$47.09
High Wage/HRNational Occupation Classification (NOC) for this program: 2281
Source: noc.esdc.gc.ca & www.jobbank.ca
Program Outline
Please click on the course title to see the course description.
This course will cover the hardware and software foundations utilized within a hostbased computing environment. Topics covered will include assembly, installation, configuration, upgrading and troubleshooting of PC-based hosts. Students will develop hands-on experience within a scenario-based lab environment in order to identify software and hardware host-based vulnerability issues and will execute industry best of practiced remediation procedures.
This course will provide students with the foundational knowledge and skills required to configure, manage, and troubleshoot today's wired and wireless network devices. This course will also provide students with an understanding of emerging technologies such as unified communications, mobile, cloud, and virtualization technologies. Within a lab environment, students will design and implement a secure and trusted network infrastructure and will gain a solid understanding of network operations and management.
This course will teach students how to generate various technical reports that they may have to create as part of their technical career. The ability to gather technical information and express it in a well-organized and intelligible format that can be understood by management and technical peers alike is key for the dissemination of vital information. The types of reports covered will include: Network Asset Reports, Physical and Logical Network Topologies, Vulnerability Assessment Reports and Penetration Testing Reports.
This course will cover the deployment and use of helpdesk IT support software that provides IT support services to end-users. Additionally, Students will be introduced to the tools needed for identifying and managing computer resources as they relate to Helpdesk activities
Our Career Management program will introduce and allow students to apply the most effective strategies to achieve employment in the career of their choice. Topics that are covered; effective job search strategies, cover letter and strategic resume writing, effective interviewing skills and interview preparation.
The course is intended for students who have good Windows operating system knowledge and experience and want to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to implement the core infrastructure services in an existing Windows Server environment.
This course provides the student with the knowledge and skills to configure Active Directory Domain Services in a distributed environment, implement Group Policies, perform backup and restore, and monitor and troubleshoot Active Directory related issues.
This Advanced Windows Server® Services training allows students to learn how to provision and configure advanced services using Windows Server
This course will help introduce new features and functionality in Windows SQL dayto-day management, networking infrastructure, storage, and access control. Specific technologies covered will include Dynamic Access Control (DAC), Failover Clustering, Microsoft Online Backup, Security and Hyper-V.
In this course, students will learn to configure and manage a Microsoft Exchange Server messaging environment. This course will teach students guidelines, best practices, and considerations that will help them optimize their Exchange server deployment. It will also provide the knowledge and skills to plan, install, and manage the mailbox role, client access, transport, and Exchange infrastructure.
Students will have an opportunity to utilize the skills they have acquired during their studies.
Job Market
Successful graduates of the Help Desk & Network Technician course may pursue a wide variety of interesting and rewarding professions, including:
- Computer Network Technician
- Supervisor, Computer Network Technician
- Internet Web Site Technician
- Web Technician
- Data Centre Operator
- LAN (Local Area Network) Administrator
- LAN (Local Area Network) Technician
- Network Administrator
- Network Support Technician
- System Administrator
Salary Information
Average Wage ($/hr) – $30.00
High Wage ($/hr) – $51.28 ($/hr) High Wage source: www.jobbank.gc.ca
National Occupation Classification (NOC) for this program: 2281/22220
Source: www.noc.esdc.gc.ca & www.jobbank.gc.ca
Admissions Requirements
Academic Admission Requirements:
Canadian High School diploma or equivalent. Willis College’s Admissions Team uses the Wonderlic assessment tool.
For Mature Students
Applicants without a high school diploma may qualify under Mature Student Status by meeting the following criteria:
- Age: Must meet provincial minimums (18 in ON; 19 in the rest of Canada), verified via government photo ID.
- Assessment: Achieve minimum cut-off scores on the securely proctored Wonderlic test.
- Prerequisites: Satisfy all program-specific and language proficiency requirements.
For full details, see the Willis College Mature Student Admissions Policy.
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This program is an excellent fit for:
- Tech-curious individuals ready to launch their first career in IT or cybersecurity.
- Hands-on learners who enjoy problem-solving, troubleshooting, and working with real technology.
- Career changers seeking a practical entry point into the fast-growing tech industry.
- IT support or helpdesk professionals looking to expand into cybersecurity roles.
- New Canadians pursuing Canadian-recognized credentials and global vendor certifications (Fortinet, Sophos, Check Point).
- New grads or mature students seeking job stability and growth in a high-demand, future-focused field.
Why choose the Help Desk & Network (Support) Technician program?
- Launch Your IT Career in 35 Weeks: Prepare for entry-level technology roles through a focused diploma program that can be completed in less than a year.
- Start Without Previous IT Experience: Build your technical knowledge from the ground up through structured, career-focused training designed for beginners and career changers.
- Learn Through Hands-On Technical Training: Apply your skills in practical labs and real-world scenarios involving troubleshooting, networking, server administration, and system security.
- Study Online or in Ottawa: Choose the delivery option that works for you while receiving live instructor support and access to practical learning environments.
- Build a Pathway into Cybersecurity: Develop the IT and networking foundation needed to pursue more advanced training in cybersecurity operations and analysis.
- Prepare for the Workplace Before Graduation: Strengthen your résumé, interview skills, and professional confidence through Career Management training and a practicum placement.
What You'll Learn
- Computer Hardware & Troubleshooting: Learn to assemble, configure, upgrade, secure, and troubleshoot computer systems while identifying common hardware and software vulnerabilities.
- Network Configuration & Support: Build practical skills in wired and wireless networking, routing, switching, network design, connectivity, and troubleshooting.
- Windows & Linux Administration: Gain hands-on experience managing Windows Server, Active Directory, Exchange, databases, Linux systems, user access, backups, and core infrastructure services.
- Help Desk & Technical Support: Develop the problem-solving, communication, and customer service skills needed to diagnose technical issues and support users effectively.
- Network Security & Risk Management: Learn to identify vulnerabilities, apply security controls, protect systems, and support secure network and server environments.
- Technical Documentation & Workplace Experience: Prepare professional network, asset, vulnerability, and technical reports, then apply your skills through a practicum placement.
Why You'll Love Willis College
- Industry-Aligned Programs: Career-ready curricula designed alongside top employers to ensure your skills match current market demands.
- Instructor-Led, Applied Learning: Hands-on training taught by industry experts who bring real-world knowledge, mentorship, and practical insight into the classroom.
- Flexible Learning Pathways: Tailored study options—in-person, online, or hybrid—that fit your lifestyle and meet you where you are.
- Personalized Small-Class Support: Dedicated guidance and encouragement in smaller group settings where you are a person, not a number.
- Accessible Funding Assistance: Direct support navigating student loans, grants, scholarships, and flexible payment plans to make your education attainable.
- Lifetime Career Services: Continuous job-search support and career counseling to help you transition smoothly from the classroom to the workforce.
What Our Graduates Are Saying
"Attending Willis gave me my self-confidence back. It helped me turn my life around. I came to Willis broken and I came out fixed and reinvented. Invest in yourself and go to Willis! The school and faculty invest themselves in you."
Ryan Shank
Executive Business Administration Graduate