You can do a 2-year diploma at Lethbridge College and then, if you want to continue on, you can to do another 2 years at a University that partners with Lethbridge College (sorry, I don't know which institutions currently do this) and get a degree.
If you stop school once you get your diploma you can find several entry level jobs, gain experience and work on getting some certifications and work your way up.
I did the 2 year thing, and I had a slow start, mostly due to no IT jobs when I finished school, but I then caught on at the right company and I fast tracked into IT management... almost too fast, I would have enjoyed a few more years of just being the IT flunky, but I certainly cherish being the decision maker too. I didn't obtain any certifications, but I did take part on a few training courses that my company lined up for staff.
I am working on getting some more training and certifications so that I look much more attractive should I ever decide to look for another job, which I don't see happening, but you can never accurately forecast the future.
Overall, IT is the best field for me to work in, without question. I love it. It is never too late to change careers, and you don't have to be young to start in IT, and you don't have to even be a lifelong computer geek to work in IT.
I went to school with a few "older" people. Two guys were in their 50s, one of them now teaches computers for seniors and other "computer illiterate" people. The other, I've lost track of but he was doing help desk for a large company. Another guy I went to school with was in his 40s, and I still keep in touch with him, he IT manager for a large company (they actually paid for him to go to school to become the IT guy, and he fast tracked to management).
If anything, making a career change when you are "older" will likely give you a better chance to succeed (should you enjoy your new career) because there is more at stake for you to make the change, and you are more mature and focused.
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