In June 1974, the B.C. government passed the Institute of Technology (British Columbia) Act, which made BCIT an autonomous educational facility, independent of the B.C. Ministry of Education. The first meeting of the BCIT Board of Governors was held on July 31, 1974.
BCIT is administered under the authority of the Minister of Advanced Education by a Board of Governors consisting of:
At least Eight members appointed by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council.

One member of the faculty elected by the faculty members. One member of the support staff elected by the support staff.
*Two students elected by the students.

The President of BCIT and the Chair of the Education Council are non-voting members of the Board.

Business was one of the three core areas of study available in 1964 when BCIT opened.
In 1990 the name changed to School of Business. In 2020 the name changed again to School of Business + Media.

In 1964 BCIT opened it’s doors with two Health programs; Medical Radiology and Medical Laboratory for a total of 73 students enrolled. BCIT shared training responsibility with various designated hospitals. On successful completion, the student was awarded a certificate.

Currently the School of Health Sciences runs programs in ten main areas of study:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Electrodiagnostics
• Food Safety and Processing
• Health Care Management
• Health Protection
• Laboratory Sciences
• Medical Imaging Technologies
• Nursing & Specialty Nursing
• Therapeutics

These include degree and post-degree programs as well as the entry-level programs.

The School of Health Sciences maintains the quality and relevance of its health training programs through close liaison with employers and professional associations. Maintaining the traditions of BCIT there are Advisory committees for each program. Students can expect provincial, national and international accreditation; regular external and internal program assessments; a variety of professional development provisions for faculty and staff; and integration of a variety of learning strategies, including industrial experience through projects and practicums.

In 1960 the British Columbia Vocational School for trades training opened in BC in 1960. The British Columbia Premier at the time was Hon. W.A.C. Bennett, he gave the address at the opening ceremonies.
In May 1961, the provincial government provided funds for further expansion. The second phase of building was completed in late 1963 allowing those classes still remaining at the PNE to move in. In 1967, increases in enrollment lead to the creation of the BCVS Burnaby Lake Division. Located in rented facilities in the Pit Par Buildings at Winston St in Burnaby, the Burnaby Lake Division included Electrical, Ironworking, Boilermaking and Appliance Servicing training. In September 1967, Machinists’ Training was added to the BCVS Burnaby Campus.
BCVS initially offered fourteen courses which ranged from six months for most trades, to two years for aeronautics. Classes were divided into pre- apprenticeship, to prepare the student for employment as an apprentice; apprenticeship to give indentured apprentices further training; pre-employment to give individuals entry into skilled work areas of industry; and upgrading to provide training in special areas for journeymen already working in the field.
On July 9, 1976 a directive was issued by the Ministry of Education to the Superintendent of Post-secondary Programs, Henry Justesen to prepare reports and recommendations on vocational training in British Columbia. The subsequent recommendations, combined with recommendations from the Provincial Government’s Commission on Vocational –Technical and Trades Training in British Columbia, headed by Dean Goard Sr., recommended a new vocational institute be formed. Major components of the proposed institute would be the British Columbia Vocational School in Burnaby and the Haney Educational in Maple Ridge. Dr. Walter Hardwick, Deputy Minister of Education, formally named Henry Justesen as Chief Executive Officer of the new institute.
In March 1977 a five member British Columbia Vocational School Advisory Board was appointed by Education Minister Dr, Pat McGreer, to oversee the development of the new institute. Mr. Leslie R. Redford was named as Chairman of the Advisory Board. Other members included Frank Redder, Don Fearey, Jake Wyman, and Donald Doyle. The Board met once a month. In anticipation of the future merger, the Haney Educational Centre was renamed the “Pacific Vocational Institute - Maple Ridge Campus” in May 1977. On September 27, 1977, Bill 82 – The Colleges and Provincial Institutes Act was given Royal Assent by the British Columbia legislature. Under Part III of the Act, the Lieutenant Governor in Council could now designate Provincial Institutes.
Principals of BCVS were:
Colonel John W. Inglis 1960-1966
Mr. Lorne Smith 1966- 1976
Mr. J. Cooper 1976-1978

The first meeting of the Council of Post Secondary Library Directors [CPSLD] was held at the request of Dennis Franklin, Executive Secretary of the Academic Advisory Board for Higher Education in British Columbia. The meeting took place at the University of British Columbia [UBC] library on October 10, 1969, and was chaired by Basil Stuart‐Stubbs.
Representatives included;
Basil Stuart‐Stubbs, UBC, Del Affleck, Capilano College, Don Baird, SFU, I. F. Bell, UBC, Doug Bridges, Malsaplina College, J. Cheng, Okanagan College, R. L. Davison, Library Development Commission, Robert Harris, BCIT, Dennis Franklin, Academic Board, Dean Halliwell, University of Victoria, John Mansbridge, Selkirk College, Ron Welwood, Notre Dame University.
Issues addressed included the need for resource sharing and for new, library standards to be developed. It was decided at this meeting that the librarians would offer to act in an advisory capacity of an Advisory Committee to the Academic Board. Meetings were held two or three times a year to discuss items of mutual concern, to provide input to the Ministry on items of importance to the Council and to be a liaison to the Ministry on Library matters. The group was known interchangeably as the College and University Librarians of BC or College Librarians Group until 1976, when the title Post Secondary Library Directors Association (PSLDA) was adopted.
PSLDA's objectives were to

act as an advisory Body to government and other groups concerned with post‐secondary library services, such as the College Principles Group and the BCAC. to help facilitate exchange of information among post‐secondary library directors to promote the development of methods for cooperative endeavours to facilitate research planning and development in identified areas of concern to initiate conjoint response to developments within post‐secondary education.

In April, 1977, the PSLDA Strategies Committee consultation with the Ministry of Education proposed a revised set of objectives that would better meet the changing directions of provincial libraries. The new objectives included "to act as the council of college, vocational and technological institution libraries in relationship to the development of the network of BC Libraries." By 1978 the title Council of Post‐Secondary Library Directors [CPSLD] had been adopted.

The Canadian Vocational Association was created in 1960 by federal charter as a non-profit organization to promote and foster education and training which leads to occupational competence.

The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) officially opened October 4, 1964. Areas of study available were: Engineering, Health and Business.

On January 17th, 1958, the Minister of Education for the Province of British Columbia, the Hon. L. R. Petersen announced the appointment of the Royal Commission on Education for the Province of British Columbia for the “purpose of reviewing and assessing the educational system with he aim of improving its effectiveness in the light of world conditions and providing guidance for its future development.” Concurrent with the Commissions inquiry the Provincial Curriculum Advisory Board of the Department of Education appointed a committee directed by Mr. D. E. Bridge of the Vocational Training Branch of the Department of Labour, Ottawa to survey “The Need for Advanced Technical and Vocational Training in British Columbia.” As a result of the Royal Commission on Education, the Bridge Report and financial assistance from the Federal Government, an Advisory Council was formed early 1961 to begin planning what would become the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Dr. J. English, Deputy Minister and Superintendent of Education was appointed chairman and Mr. J. S. White, Director of Technical and Vocational Education, vice-chair.

Until 1974 BCIT was directly controlled and funded by the B.C. Department of Education, in partnership with an Advisory Council chosen from business and industry. The council appointed the Principal of BCIT as the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute. Two Vice-Principals were responsible for Administration and the growing Extension Division. The three divisions of Engineering, Business and Health were managed by three Directors reporting directly to the Principal. The Council formed seventeen advisory committees which met at least twice a year and advised Technology Heads at BCIT about the effectiveness of the programs being taught, opportunities for employment and updates in the industry. Recommendations went through the Principal who carried them to the main Advisory Council. In 1963, the Department of Education took a radical departure from existing government policy and allowed the BC Civil Service Commission to delegate responsibility for selecting teaching staff to the Institute, via the Advisory Council and Principal.

In 1972, the Minister of Education established a task force to recommend future directions for BCIT. A more autonomous relationship developed between the provincial government and BCIT with the passage of the British Columbia Institute of Technology Act on July 4, 1974. The Act established a new system of governance for BCIT under a fifteen–person Board of Governors. Under Section 11 (3) of the BCIT Act the Principal was required to submit an Annual Report to the Board of Governors for the educational year. The position of Principal was expanded to encompass linking functions both between the Board of Governors and BCIT, and between BCIT and the external community. The Principal assumed the responsibility of implementing Board policy and administering the budget; she also served as the chief means of mobilizing the institute’s resources in recognizing and clarifying issues and expediting decision making. At the same time, three Executive Director positions were created in the areas of Technical Education; Administration; and Personnel and Information Services and Student Services, in order that BCIT could effectively carry on day-to-day operations while implementing a variety of administrative systems. With the Directors of the five Educational Divisions, the Bursar, the Registrar, and the Coordinator of Planning Services, the Executive Directors were members of an Executive Committee, a consultative body which advised the Principal and served as a channel of communication between the Chief Executive Officer and the institutes staff, students and faculty.

In 1978 the Boards of the Pacific Vocational Institute (PVI) and BCIT established a Joint Boards Committee, enhancing the relationship of the neighbours and providing a forum for cooperation between the institutions in matters of mutual interest. On May 31, 1985, the Honourable John H. Heinrich, then Minister of Education announced the decision to amalgamate the Pacific Vocational Institute (PVI) and the British Columbia Institute of Technology. The merger culminated in a new organizational structure, a mission statement and a set of corporate objectives for BCIT. The expanded mandate for the new institution included:

• A centre of excellence for the trades
• The development of new technology programs
• The development of post diploma programs
• The development of bridging programs from trades to technology

The official merger took place on April 1, 1986. In July 1985, the President and the Board of Governors appointed Drug Svetic Vice President, Education; Duncan McPherson Vice President, Finance; Len McNeely Vice President, Administration; and Peter Jones Vice President, Student Services and Educational Support. The reorganization of BCIT’s educational division resulted five schools, adding an Executive Director of Trades Training and the introduction of an associate dean structure.

In 2004, BCIT's governing legislation became the College and Institute Act, RSBC 1996, ch. 5 (2). Under this Act, the President is defined as BCIT's Chief Executive Office, with the duty to “supervise and direct subject to bylaws, the instructional, administrative and other staff of the institution and exercise powers and perform duties assigned to the president by the board.” The President is to report to the Board annually on the progress of the Institute, make recommendations, and advise the Board on all matters concerning the operation of the Institute.

The BCIT Learning & Teaching Centre (LTC) began with a task force on Instruction Innovation. Co-Chairmen, M. Angelo and C. Wilson submitted the final report in October of 1982. This report had many recommendations, one of which was the creation of an Office of Instructional Development “to provide those services needed for instructional innovation. This office will co-ordinate all aspects of instructional support such as Instructional Techniques, Instructional Design, Educational Media, Information Dissemination, etc.” (p.2) In xxxx

The BCIT Marketing and Communications Department began in 1974 in conjunction with BCIT’s first year as an autonomous entity under a Board of Governors rather than under the direct control of the British Columbia Department of Education. BCIT Principal Gordon A. Thom created three new Executive Directorships in this year: Technology and Education; Administration; and Personnel, Information Services and Student Services. The Marketing and Communications Department started as an area of service provided under the Executive Director, Personnel, Student Services and Information Services. It was known as Information Services although the term “communications” was used to describe its duties and responsibilities. The first Director of Information Services was recruited in 1975 and was responsible for information dissemination among BCIT staff, students, faculty and the public. Ensuring relevant parties were aware of decisions and developments at BCIT and providing a mechanism for feedback. In 1975 the Director of Information Services began work on an information policy for BCIT and revived the newsletter “Developments” which enhanced internal BCIT communications.
In 1977 Information Services was moved under the Human Resources Division. During this time Information Services continued its broad-based program of internal and external communications. The department served as liaison between federal and provincial governments on the residence project, participated in presentations on Bill 82, and began work on revitalizing the Alumni Association.
In 1979 Information Services, still under Vice President Human Resources, underwent a name change and was known as the Public Relations department.
After the merger with the Pacific Vocational Institute in 1985 the department was again moved and given a name change. Now known as Community Relations, the Director of Community Relations/Development reported to the Vice President of Student Services and Educational Support.

Since 2000 the BCIT School of Transportation has been a North American leader in transportation training, producing the high-quality, job-ready graduates in demand by the aerospace, marine, motive, and rail sectors.

Strategically located directly at the Asia Pacific Gateway, the School of Transportation delivers accredited and globally recognized programs tailored to meet the human capital needs of the transportation industry.

The School of Transportation has its roots in BCIT's School of Trades Training Apprenticeship Programs; drawing from Apprenticeship Programs, Aviation Trades and Mechanical Trades.

Departments within the school include: Academic Studies (Basic Health Sciences, Chemistry, Communication, Liberal Studies, Mathematics, and Physics), Computing and IT (Computing), and Forensics (Forensic Science & Technology).
Academic Studies, which includes the departments of Math, Chemistry, Physics, Communication, and Liberal Studies provide essential building blocks for technologies and credentials.
BCIT students are given applied and theoretical knowledge, as well as advanced skills in critical thinking, applied ethics, and research methodology for career success.
Academic Studies also manages the Technology Entry Program which bridges into BCIT credentials, as well as the Technical Writing Certificate.
The Computing and IT department works with industry and subject matter experts, and has developed 30 different Computing and IT career-oriented program options which lead to certificates, diplomas, and a bachelor’s degree, full-time and part-time.
Every year they also provide over 350 individual Part-time "COMP" courses at night and on weekends. Our alumni become the future managers, entrepreneurs and leaders in the Computing and IT sector.
The Forensics department offers flexibility and specialization. Options for students include degrees and specialty certificates in Forensic Science, Computer Crimes, Intelligence Analysis, Forensic Health Sciences and Forensic Video Analysis.

In 1975 the Marine Training Centre, began providing training in navigation and engineering. Following the establishment of the Marine Training Advisory Council in 1975, it was decided that the responsibilities of the Centre should be increased. As a result, in 1978, it was designated a Provincial Institute and renamed the Pacific Marine Training Institute (PMTI).

In 1994 the PMTI was amalgamated with the British Columbia Institute of Technology to become BCIT's Pacific Marine Training Campus.

The BCIT Facilities and Campus Development department is responsible for all of the higher level strategic planning and implementation of BCIT’s major facilities. Some of these responsibilities include: facilities and capital planning, space administration, design and construction. The department is responsible for producing the campus master plan. The Campus Master Plan prioritizes the requirement for new facilities and infrastructure. It provides the guidelines for land use which include future building locations, parking lots, green space, pedestrian walkways, vehicular roads, etc. In June of 2019 BCIT Facilities and Campus Development took over Parking Operations from Safety, Security & Emergency Management (SSEM).

Previously called B.C. Business Magazine, BCBusiness focuses exclusively on business in British Columbia. Its special editions include B.C.’s Top 100 Companies, Entrepreneur of the Year, B.C.’s Most Influential Women, 30 Under 30 and the Best Cities for Work in B.C.
BCBusiness.ca is produced by the Digital Media Division of Canada Wide Media Limited.

The Alumni Association of the British Columbia Institute of Technology was incorporated March 16, 1970.

The BCIT Alumni Association is a registered, non-profit society governed by a board of volunteer directors and financed by association affinity programs, sponsorship, and institute support. The Alumni Association was revitalized in 1984 at the time of BCIT's 20th anniversary. By 1990 it had over 25,000 members, offered 11 entrance scholarships and actively fundraising for current BCIT students. In 2012 the association has more than 140,000 members (graduates), of which approximately 115,721 are recorded and 80,000 are active on the database.

The Alumni Association hosts the following events:
Annual General Meeting, BCIT Alumni Open Golf Tournament, Distinguished Alumni Awards.

The Alumni Association sponsors the following student events:
Schmoozapalooza, hosted by BCIT Marketing Communications students.
Student in Free Enterprise (SIFE) annual FUSE Gala networking event. Fuse aims to reconnect accomplished BCIT Alumni with the best and brightest business students, as well as provide successful industry professionals with the opportunity to recruit new employees and source new contacts.

The BCIT Safety, Security and Emergency Management department works with BCIT academic programs and service areas in providing a safe, secure and disaster resilient environment.

The Pioneers Club was formed in February, 1994. Membership was composed of faculty and staff who were employed at BCIT on or prior to June 15, 1966 and who contributed to the establishment of the two year diploma programs.

The First Nations Program and Services department was created at BCIT in 1994 after the Institute received funding through the First Nations Education Coordinator's grant from the Ministry of Advanced Education, Training and Technology. Brenda Ireland, was the first Coordinator, First Nations Programs in 1995. The BCIT Indigenous Team has grown and adapted over the years since then. This includes several name changes over the years.

In 1998 BCIT was still the only institute in BC (possibly Canada) to employ a full-time cultural/spiritual advisor to support indigenous learners. Elders on Campus is still a strong program and BCIT. Elders are the keepers of Indigenous knowledge and encourage and promote understanding and respect for Indigenous perspectives, culture, and values across BCIT campuses and beyond. Bob George was BCIT’s first Indigenous Elder in residence and a rock for many who attended BCIT over the ten years that he held this position. Alf Dumont is the current Elder on Campus (2023).

The Indigenous Gathering Place opened in November 2011. It is a comfortable, welcoming and safe space for students, families and staff. Mi Chap Tukw, the BCIT Indigenous Gathering Place (IGP) is located on the Burnaby campus at SW1-1521. IGP was made possible through the Gathering Place Grant from the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development of B.C in 2008.