The Vancouver Animation School (VANAS), a B.C. educational institution which offers online diploma programs in animation arts, has received official accreditation from B.C.’s accrediting body, the Private Career Training Institutions Agency (PCTIA).

As a recognized officially accredited institution, the school is now in compliance with the PCTIA’s regulatory framework and educational standards for registered private career training institutions in B.C., which also provide student protection through those standards and management of the Student Training Completion Fund.

According to PCTIA bylaws, institutions are eligible for accreditation if they, amongst other requirements, have been operating in Good Standing as a registered institution for a year or more in B.C., have a sufficient number of students and graduates in its programs, and be financially stable.

The PCTIA’s private career training institutions act, regulations and bylaws fall under the responsibility of the B.C. Ministry of Advanced Education.

Animator and VANAS co-founder Mario Pochat said in a statement that institution execs have been working for 18 months on the accreditation.

The school with accreditation can now offer official transcripts and embassy-accepted international academic transfers, he added.

VANAS offers diploma programs in concept art and 3D computer character animation, and certificate courses in anime and manga, writing for animation, advanced character modeling and a master class in colour scripts and keys.

It uses a proprietary learning management system as its e-learning platform, and received a first place Impact Award in e-learning from the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) in 2012.

Since its launch in 2010, VANAS has made moves to expand its programs and opportunities for students.

In 2012, the school launched the Vanas Labs program, which offers on-site workshops for students to bridge the gap between virtual learning and hands-on practice. Earlier this year, the school also launched a program advisory committee to keep on top of industry trends and pinpoint training and industry needs.

The school, helmed by co-founders Pochat and Patrick Suberville, is also certified by the Canadian government and by the government of B.C.