Prepare for Further Study with the English for the Academic Purposes Program

If you want to get ahead in the Canadian corporate and academic worlds, strong English speaking and writing skills are a must. That’s because you will be required to articulate both verbally and in-writing in order to effectively communicate. There is no better program to get you comfortable with the English language and all that comes along with it than the Centennial College’s intensive English for Academic Purposes program.

To apply for this full-time undertaking that will see you attend school five days a week and study all areas of communication, there are a few prerequisites. First, you must present an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Second, there is a language skills are assessment. However, this is not a program for absolute beginners. Students must have completed a beginner’s level language program prior to applying to the English for Academic Purposes program. Also, please not that possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission.

Once you have been accepted, you will discover a post-secondary certificate program that will help you to build your English language skills for success in college, university or your career. The English for Academic Purposes program nurtures a supportive academic environment with faculty who are caring, dedicated and with you every step of the way as you build your language skills through communicative activities, practical exercises, group work, presentations and assignments. The emphasis here is to develop highly effective academic communication skills in: reading, writing, speaking and listening as well as academic study. This is achieved through courses such as: ESL Reading Techniques, Guided Writing in English, Speaking Up, Skills of Student Success, Approaches to English Composition and more. Also, as a student of English for Academic Purposes, you will have access to resources and services such as tutoring, conversation practice groups, counselling, the library and the computer labs.

The length of the program will depend on your future goals. You may be placed in the first level and take all three levels of the program (meaning three semesters) or you may be placed in the second or third levels. Students who achieve high grades in Level 3 are considered to have met the College’s English language requirement for most Centennial College programs. In addition, Level 3 students earn a college credit that they can apply to future study.

Another attractive feature of the program is that it is fully accredited by Languages Canada, Canada’s premier language organization. This means that the program has met rigorous standards in terms of curriculum, teacher qualifications, student services and administration. In other words, you can rest assured that the training you receive at Centennial College will help you in school, business and your personal life. For more benefits of the English for Academic Purposes program, check out its benefits webpage.

Be Part of the Corporate World Through Business Administration – Marketing Training

The world of Product Marketing Training is concerned with familiarizing itself with consumers, deciding upon reasonable product prices based on the company’s target consumers and — most importantly — keeping clients happy so that they stay loyal to the products or services. These areas of a business not only require creative thinking but also the ability to create interest among the public and anticipate what consumers want.

Training for this career path starts with the Business Administration - Marketing program. This three-year undertaking results in an Ontario College Advanced diploma and offers a solid foundation in business and more focused training in marketing, including marketing research, marketing communications (which includes advertising and promotion), interactive marketing (which includes direct marketing, e-marketing and customer relationship management) and brand planning. Applicants to the program must have obtained at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Compulsory English 12C or U and Math11C, M, or U or 12C or U credit or skills assessment, or equivalent are also required. However, possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

Within the Business Admin — Marketing program, you will find a fast-paced environment where learning is encouraged through case studies, guest lectures, presentations, projects, and computer simulations and technologies. Business Admin - Marketing takes hands-on training further with an industry project feature. This aspect of the program will see you working in a team setting on a real project that is sponsored by an entrepreneurial endeavour, small business or major company. This is your opportunity to show potential employers how well you work under pressure and in a professional situation. Aside from the hands-on aspects, the Business Administration – Marketing program features a common first year curriculum for most Centennial College business programs, which provides you with the opportunity to obtain an overview of business prior to specializing in a specific area. After the first year, topics become more focused until your final year, which covers courses such as: Economics of Business Management, Marketing Research, Brand Management, Interactive Marketing, Business Ethics and more.

To graduate from Centennial College, students must maintain a C grade average and an overall GPA of 2.0. Once they are out of school, the career options in Business Admin – Marketing are wide-ranging. Students can work as direct marketing coordinators, sales and promotion coordinators, marketing research analysts, assistant product managers, sales representatives and customer relationship managers. The demand for these experts isn’t limited to one field and opportunities exist in the financial services, electronics, beverage, high-tech and non-for-profit or government sectors and more.

Become a Toyota Expert with the Automotive Service Technician Toyota Apprenticeship

The Toyota Motor Corporation is the world’s largest automobile maker by sales and production. That means two things. First, Toyota is constantly creating new vehicles, upgrading current ones and sitting at the forefront of innovation. Second, with sales as high as they are, there are clearly many Toyota vehicles on the road. These vehicles sometimes break down or have accidents and Automotive Service Technicians are needed to fix them. This is where it becomes obvious that professionals trained at an Automotive Service Technician Toyota Apprenticeship have an advantage.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects job growth in Automotive Service Technology to grow by 14 percent from 2006 through 2016, with increased job opportunities at dealerships, such as Toyota. The Toyota Automotive Service Techs must be able to diagnose problems using Toyota diagnostic equipment and perform repairs and preventive maintenance on engines, transmissions, electrical systems, brakes and tires. Technicians also conduct vehicle inspections. Technicians should have good customer service and communication skills as well as computer proficiency as many of today’s car models have a computer system within them. Another quality that a Toyota Automotive Service Technician should possess is the ability to work with his or her hands and have enough stamina to be under the car, bending over the hood or in other such positions for extended periods of time.

Centennial College’s one-year Automotive Service Technician Toyota Apprenticeship is designed for those students who have a particular desire to work with this specific company. The training focus is, therefore, on Toyota’s latest technologies and is more in-depth with longer in-school sessions than traditional apprenticeships. Emphasis is placed on electronics and the diagnosing of computerized control systems. However, students also learn all aspects of vehicle technology. They get to work on different vehicle systems such as electrical, body electrical, engine, transmission, steering, front-end, and all other aspects that would allow a Toyota vehicle to be serviced. Every eight weeks, the students in this Modified Apprenticeship alternate between the college and their employer. This occurs for a total of 64 weeks, during which they are paid for the apprenticeship aspect. Upon successful completion, students will complete on-the-job experience with their Toyota dealership employer. Another appealing aspect of the Automotive Service Technician Toyota Apprenticeship program is that students may be eligible for Employment Insurance during the in-class training.

Centennial College requires students who are applying for this Modified Apprenticeship program to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or a GED or equivalent. They must also be employed by a Toyota dealership or be selected through an interview process. Candidates may apply directly to Centennial College, with successful applicants obtaining an employer and registering as a MAP apprentice with the Apprenticeship Branch of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Start Your Education with the General Arts and Science – Science Program

When you were a child did you enjoy building volcanoes for sciences class? Did you always like experimenting with the chemicals in your middle school chemistry class? Now that you’re finished high school, you might still enjoy this field but are not sure if it’s the right choice for you. Or, perhaps, you need to enhance your skills before you can apply for university. Centennial College’s General Arts and Science – Science program helps students to gain a general understanding of college-level science classes for a variety of purposes.

There are a few categories of applicants who will find this undertaking both useful and appealing. For example, if you’re unsure whether university is for you or whether a career in the field of science is what you’re really passionate about, the General Arts and Science – Science program will be beneficial to you. That’s because it covers a wide range of courses to help you find your niche and discover if this type of learning environment suits you. Also, students who are interested in the fields of health, engineering, applied sciences or transportation can take this program and receive a solid foundation for further education. Lastly, if you’re convinced that science is your path and college is the route to enter the field, but you do not possess the academic admission credentials needed to enter a program of your choice, then this Centennial College program may be for you. Students who have not finished high school or completed required science courses for post-secondary programs may be accepted.

In the General Arts and Science – Science program, you will study a range of science centred subjects such as biology and chemistry. But that’s not all. You will also learn communication and research skills, math and technology math, psychology and more. Running eight months in length, this is a great starting base to expand into a variety of programs. In fact, students who complete the one-year Science program with acceptable academic standing may be eligible to transfer to Centennial’s Practical Nursing or Pharmacy Technician programs.

To gain entry into General Arts and Science – Science, you must possess at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. You must also have the compulsory English 12C or U, or skills assessment or equivalent. However, possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to program.

Be Competitive with computer program

Do you speak the language of programming? No, I’m not kidding. Computer programmers and analysts have a language of their own as they design, write, test, debug, troubleshoot and maintain the source code of computer programs. This source code is written in a programming language. The code may be a modification of an existing source or something new. Therefore, not only do computer programmers/ analysts speak the language, they also invent it. The purpose of programming is to create a program that exhibits a certain desired or customized behaviour. The process of writing the source code often requires expertise in many different subjects, including knowledge of the application domain, specialized algorithms and formal logic.

If you want to speak the language of computer programmers, Centennial College offers a three-year Computer Programmer/Analyst program that teaches you everything you need.
It not only provides detailed information on current and emerging technology, systems methodologies and programming, but students also leave with a solid business foundation in areas such as database administration, business communications, mathematics of finance and project management. The curriculum includes an in-depth, object-oriented programming stream with a strong emphasis on systems analysis and design. Course titles include Microcomputer Concepts and Applications, System Analysis and Design, Advanced Database Concepts, Systems Integration and much more. The program also teaches a wide-range of technologies, including: C++, C#, JAVA, J2EE advanced XML and Web services, Access, Oracle, networking and UNIX/LINUX operating systems. Many of these technologies will be in the .NET development environment. Once students reach their final year, they may select an area of specialization from an offering of technical electives. They also participate in a final year programming project, which ensures they are ready for the real world.

There are, however, admissions requirements that applicants must meet before they enter the program. They must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. They must also possess a compulsory English 12C or U credit or skills assessment, or equivalent and Math 11C, M or U, or 12C or U credit or skills assessment, or equivalent. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to program. For more information, check out Centennial College’s Computer Program/Analyst admissions page.

Once the admission requirements are met and students successfully complete the program, they are ready to pursue a career as: Programmers, Software Developers, Database Administrators, Systems Analysts, and Web Applications Developers. Let’s quickly take a look at the job descriptions for three of the popular choices. A software developer, for example, can be involved in aspects wider than designing and coding, including some aspects of software product management. This person may also contribute to the overview of the project on the application level rather than the individual programming tasks. Meanwhile, A database administrator is a person responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance and repair of an organization’s database. The role includes the development and design of database strategies, monitoring and improving database performance and capacity, and planning for future expansion requirements. A final popular option is the Systems Analyst position. This person researches problems, plans solutions, recommends software and systems, and coordinates development to meet business or other requirements. Analysts are often familiar with a variety of programming languages, operating systems and computer hardware platforms. The tasks performed by the people in the various Computer Program/Analyst positions differ, of course. But the training provided at Centennial prepares you for all of them.

Crunch Numbers to Ensure the Success of a Company as an Accountant

A large part of the success of any company comes from the job done by its accounting department. This financial sector of the industry analyzes financial information and prepares financial reports to determine or maintain record of assets, liabilities, profit and loss, tax liability, or other financial activities within an organization. In other words, accountants crunch numbers to ensure that the financial aspect of a company is at its best.

While we often associate accounting with tax time, accountants are responsible for much more than just filling out your tax forms at the end of the year. These professionals have a multitude of tasks within small businesses, large companies or in the personal finances of individuals. At the base of their jobs, accountants keep records that document every financial aspect of the company so that problem areas can be pinpointed and corrected. They also handle payrolls and sales, perform audits, analyze a business’s ledger and operations, develop budgets, prepare forms and manuals for accounting and bookkeeping personnel, advise in areas such as compensation, employee health care benefits, the design of accounting and data processing systems and more; investigate bankruptcies, and much more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most accountants made between $42,520 and $71,960 a year in 2006. The lowest-paid accountants earned less than $34,470, while the highest-paid earned $94,050 a year.

There are a few qualities that will help to make a person a successful accountant. Of course, mathematical aptitude and strong analytical skills top the list of must-have attributes. Second, as accounting is an exceptionally time-sensitive job (especially when it comes to employee compensation), these professionals should also possess organizational and multitasking skills. Another attribute of a successful accountant is being detail-oriented. In this profession, small errors such as the incorrect placement of a decimal point can result in big financial losses. Lastly, accountants should be comfortable with their ability to use spreadsheets and database programs. They should also have familiarity with common accounting software.

Luckily, there is a program that teaches all those skills and more. Centennial College’s three-year Business Administration – Accounting program provides the rigorous training that students need to be successful. By offering courses in financial accounting, management accounting, taxation auditing, corporate finance and computers, students are guaranteed to have well-rounded knowledge by the end of the program. The topics that are covered serve to help students develop a strong foundation in problem solving, communications, math, analysis and other business functions. Classes are taught in lab environments that are fully equipped with an integrated network of computer systems so any computer courses are hands-on, allowing students to develop proficiencies with industry standard accounting software such as Simply Accounting and ACCPAC for Windows and SAP. Another aspect of the Business Administration – Accounting program that ensures student success is flexibility in curriculum design. For more important features, check out the Accounting program’s benefits page, which also has information on its educational partners.

To enjoy all that the Business Administration - Accounting program has to offer, students must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older during the application process. They must also possess the compulsory English 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent and Math 11C, M or U or 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent.

Help to Make Your Community More Inclusive as a Developmental Service Worker

Do you like working with others and helping people? Are you cooperative and enjoy developing and implementing plans? Do you possess strong communication skills and the ability to understand where others are coming from? If you answered, “yes” to these questions, then a career as a Developmental Services Worker might be for you.

Developmental Services Workers, also known as DSWs, are professionals who support individuals with intellectual disabilities in their homes, work, school, and leisure roles within the community. Developmental Services Workers help to build natural community supports, networks and valued social roles for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Working as educational assistants in schools, employment support workers, family supporters, integration facilitators, and residential service workers in group homes, these professionals have a variety of tasks. These tasks include: completing and maintaining client history and background forms, participating in the development and implementation of individually-directed plans, supporting clients in developing relationships, managing medication, developing and applying crisis intervention strategies, being responsible for and promoting a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a safe environment.

The proper implementation of these responsibilities and tasks can be learned in Centennial College’s two-year Developmental Services Worker program. The highly regarded undertaking sees emphasis being placed on understanding the nature of intellectual disabilities, facilitation skills, critical and reflective thinking, team skills, time management and accessing resources. The curriculum reflects current issues and developments in the field with stress on in-depth analysis and critical thinking. Therefore, students learn through theory taught during lectures as well as projects, community observations, Internet searches and electronic communication. Some sample course titles within the Developmental Services Worker program include: Interpersonal Skill Development, Social Psychology, Pharmacology, Health Promotion and Personal Well-Being, Policy and Social Welfare Systems and much more. During these courses, not only do professors teach theory, they also provide real-life examples, as they are all professionals from the field who can offer real insight.

During the program, students also experience what their careers will entail by participating in supervised field placements during semesters three and four. When they are in the field, students work side-by-side with Developmental Services Workers, learning new skills and applying the ones they have already learned. This experience enhances students’ resumes and education. Please note that some field placement agencies may require a criminal reference check prior to student placement. Certain criminal convictions may disallow placement in these agencies and program completion may not be possible.

If students want to further their education after graduation from Centennial, they may be eligible to participate in an articulated program with selected universities, institutes and professional associations. These partnerships allow graduates to apply academic credit towards further study. The partner of the Developmental Services Worker program is Ryerson University (Disability Studies). Graduates with a B grade average or better can apply to Ryerson’s two-year post-diploma degree completion program, Bachelor of Applied Arts in Disability Studies.

However, before students can think of what they’ll do upon graduation, they first have to be accepted into the Developmental Services Worker program. In order to do so, Centennial College expects students applying for admission to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Students must also possess compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent. English proficiency will be considered in the admissions process and a program admission session may also be required.

In Business Administration, You’ll steer People towards Success

If you love the process of organizing and directing people, resources and activities towards a common goal or objective, then Business Administration might be the field for you. This field consists of the performance or management of business operations and involves implementing major decisions.

Centennial College offers a three-year Business Administration program that sees you graduate with an Ontario College Advanced Diploma. The undertaking is aimed at those whose ultimate goal it is to become front-line managers in business across any type of industry. It is designed to provide knowledge, skills and competencies through a combination of theory, hands-on training, extensive case analyses, rigorous problem solving, business presentations and directed research. Students will find that the Business Admin program covers all areas of business and management with technology-supported learning and team projects that simulate real-life situations. Another real-life aspect is the exposure students get to the management practices of leading companies in the world. Therefore, they are comfortable if hired by one of these companies upon graduation. Specific understanding that students obtain through the program includes: the macro-environment of business, the economics and contexts of particular industries and the range of tasks in managerial practices across all areas of business. Courses include titles such as Developing a Business Plan, Corporate Finance, Management Information Systems, Quantitative Methods, Management Accounting and many more. Once training is complete, students have the opportunity to pursue further studies in business administration at the degree level at universities through articulation agreements negotiated by the School of Business. You can check out the list of associated schools by visiting the Business Administration benefits page.

However, before applying to the Business Administration program, Centennial College expects students to possess and present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. They are also required to have the compulsory English 12C or U credit or skills assessment, or equivalent and the Math 11C, M or U, or 12C or U credit or skills assessment, or equivalent.

Once you’ve been accepted, successfully completed all your courses and graduated with a minimum C grade average and 2.0 GPA, you’ll be ready for the workforce. Graduates create long-lasting careers in: personnel management, general administration, sales, purchasing, accounting and finance, general and public administration and small business or franchise management. During their time in the Business Administration program, students will have discovered their niche and will be able to obtain jobs across the board. One popular option for graduates is becoming a personnel manager. This is a term describing any number of jobs that manage the hiring and developing of employees in an organization. Some of these jobs include human resources manager, compensation and benefits manager, training and development manager, and human resources generalist. Job responsibilities vary by title. For example, compensation and benefits managers may administer the company’s health and retirement plans, while training and development managers handle workshops and other educational development opportunities for employees. If a smaller company employs you as a human resources generalists, you may handle all of these responsibilities. Another job option within Business Administration is general administration. These professionals may be responsible for allocating office space, supporting services and staff, overseeing office maintenance duties and purchasing supplies and equipment. Some also prepare and negotiate contracts with supply and material vendors.

Manage Reputations in the Corporate Communications and Public Relations Field

The image and reputation of a company or an individual (such as a politician, athlete, musician, actor, etc.) is essential to that company or person’s success. The field that aims to manage and gain support for clients as well as influence public opinion and behavior is public relations and Communication Skill Training. The professionals in this field have the important jobs of building awareness and interest as well as serving as spokespersons and managing the flow of information to the public on behalf of their clients. The ability to correctly communicate such key information starts with the right type of hands-on training.

The Corporate Communications and Public Relations post-graduate option at Centennial College is one of the most highly-regarded and leading-edge programs of its kind in Ontario, Canada. If you have strong writing and communication skills and the ability to manage various projects at the same time, you’re an ideal candidate for this program. However, you must also possess an official transcript demonstrating proof of successful completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree program. Applicants will also be required to attend an information session that includes writing and editing exercises and they’ll have to submit a portfolio of writing and a resume. Centennial College’s Communication Skill Training and public Relations program will also consider applicants presenting a combination of partial post-secondary education (two year minimum) and relevant work experience. Communication Skill Training really helps for employees to grow in their career life.


During the intense program, students learn by doing. This hands-on approach readies them for entry into the field and teaches them how to: write media releases and newsletters, produce an event with a team, design releases, conduct press conferences, communicate effectively with the public and the media, and much more. Towards the end of the one-year program, students are placed in a field placement that lasts eight weeks. During this placement they participate as part of a public relations or corporate communications team. Not only do they incorporate everything they have learned, but they will also bring a unique perspective to the company at which they are placed. That’s because the Corporate Communications and Public Relations at Centennial College is one of the rare programs that truly takes into account the new wave of social media (such a blogs, pod casts, etc). This feature ensures that the focus is on employability skills and landing a job after graduation. Communications Training at centennial is the most worthy especially for the new employees of corporate sector.


The fields of corporate communications and public relations are quite complimentary to each other. Corporate communications usually refers to communications within the corporation, such as executive and internal communications, branding, events, advertising, etc. Meanwhile, PR also includes any publicity that would impact the public perception of the client’s image. It is about building and maintaining relationships between your client’s internal and external stakeholders. Some of the typical duties of a communications specialist or public relations representative include: preparing or editing organizational publications (including newsletters, stakeholder reports and press releases), responding to requests for information from the media, establishing and maintaining relationships, arranging public appearances for clients to increase awareness of the product or cause, coaching clients in effective communication, preparing and delivering speeches on the clients’ behalf, managing the PR aspect of a potential crisis situation (for example, a client being arrested) and more. Corporate communications and public relations are clearly exciting fields, where no two days are alike.

Court Support Services Workers Ensure a Smooth Judicial Process

Aside from judges and lawyers, it is professionals who work in Court Support Services that ensure judicial trials run smoothly. Serving as either Court Clerks or Court Monitors/Reporters, the tasks of these people contribute greatly to Canada’s legal system.

Your journey to an exciting career in Court Support Services starts with Centennial College’s two-semester program. The undertaking was designed with the recommendation and approval of the Ministry of the Attorney General. It provides students with theory, hands-on training and practical, career-oriented assignments that will result being career-ready. Through small and intimate classes as well as upgraded computer labs, students will become familiar with topics such as being a court clerk for both family and criminal court, ethics and professional conduct, current issues in Canadian law, word processing and more. There is also practical hands-on learning, which is provided by a simulated courtroom setting. This “courtroom”, which is located right on the Centennial College campus, allows students to practice things such as taking an oath and presenting before a judge. To supplement this practice, students will also take numerous trips to various courtrooms and tribunal hearings in order to see firsthand exactly what their role will be within the courtroom setting.

In order to apply for the Court Support Services program, students must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Academic requirements include compulsory English 12 or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent. However, possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Also, once a student is successfully in the program, he or she will be required to attain a minimum C grade average and an overall minimum GPA of 2.0 for graduation.

Upon graduation from the Court Support Services program, students will find employment as Court Monitors/Reporters and Court Clerks. They may work with official examiners, court reporting services and law offices. Please be advised that the Ministry of the Attorney General and some other employers require all employees to be able to obtain a criminal and credit clearance to be considered for employment.

The tasks of these two roles within the Court Support Services field vary greatly. Court Clerks maintain and keep court records, therefore, a large part of their job includes performing clerical and secretarial duties such as typing, filing, attending court appointments and answering calls. Before the court process, Clerks contact witnesses, lawyers and litigants and instruct them on when to appear. During the court process, Court Clerks are responsible preparing dockets of cases to be called out as well as administering oaths to witnesses, jurors and grand jurors. They also authenticate copies of court records and handle financial record keeping, act as custodians of the court’s seal and records, collect fees and other payments or deposits made to the court, process petitions and warrants and handle court correspondences. Lastly, depending on where they work, they may read a jury’s verdict, officiate civil weddings, process passports and swearing in of new citizens.

Meanwhile, a court reporter records verbatim a variety of assigned court proceedings, utilizes electronic monitoring equipment, operates and maintains the recording and transcribing machinery while monitoring it by use of a headset and plays back the recordings as required. He or she also maintains a running log of the proceedings, noting relevant data according to the numerical calibrator; indexes and files court reports, prepares accurate transcripts and maintains a file of appeal transcripts.

Become a Customer Service Expert via Contact Centre Operations

If you’ve ever had a technical problem with your cell phone, a question about your TV bill or simply ordered a product or a meal through the telephone, then you’ve dealt with a customer service expert who is trained in Contact Centre Operations. This customer service-based industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in Canada, with thousands of exciting opportunities.

To get started in the Contact Centre Operations field, which includes jobs such as customer care representatives, at-home agents, technical support and help desks as well as collections, the right type of training is required. Centennial College’s one-semester program in Contact Centre Operations will prepare you to work in a variety of industries that require professionals to handle in-coming and out-going calls, including: financial institutions, manufacturing, transportation, health and pharmaceuticals, government agencies, telecommunication as well as art and entertainment. To apply for this helpful program, which will allow you such a broad range of options, all you need is a minimum of an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older at the start of the program.

Centennial College’s program provides four intensive months of skills-focused training, which takes place in the college’s “real life”, state-of-the-art training facility. This hands-on approach allows students to develop superior customer service and communication skills so that they may successfully listen and exchange information over the phone, even with emotional customers. They will also practice conflict resolution and problem solving to help such customers. Aside from communication, students in Contact Centre Operations will gain the ability to cross-sell, up-sell and market the contact centre’s products and services. This will often require them to multitask as they speak, type and browse for information at the same time. That’s why the program also teaches multitasking and the ability to manipulate a variety of applications and databases. Training occurs through courses such as Computer Applications, Communication Skills, Customer Service and Sales, Soft Skills Development and Contact Centre Environment. As the classes run Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, students are free to work part-time in the afternoons, making this a convenient program that takes into account the busy lives of its students.

At the end of training, the Contact Centre Operations students will participate in a career day. During this day, recruiters from major contact centres meet, interview and possibly hire students. To ensure that students are job-ready, they must obtain a minimum C grade average and an overall minimum GPA of 2.0 for graduation.

Lay the Groundwork for Your Career with Community and Child Studies Foundations

If you’re new to Canada, it is sometimes difficult to find a meaningful career due to the challenges of the language barrier. However, there are ways to overcome those challenges and become an important member of Canada’s workforce. That’s where Centennial College’s Community and Child Studies Foundations program comes in.

Taking two semesters (one year) to complete, the undertaking in Community and Child Studies Foundations acknowledges and supports the needs of ESL students. It is also designed for adult learners. That’s because program faculty are experienced, caring and supporting professionals who have an expertise in both Community and Child Studies. Not only that, but faculty also ensure that they utilize ESL collaborative teaching approaches.

To apply for the undertaking, Centennial College expects students to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Also required is the compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment or equivalent. However, possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants should be advised that the program is only open for admission to applicants who have been advised and assisted to register by the Centennial College Assessment and Advising Centre. Applicants cannot apply directly to ontariocolleges.ca for admission to this program.

Once you have been accepted, the program, which serves as a pathway to further education, helps students to develop academic and professional skills that will facilitate success in their program of choice. Topics that are covered in Community and Child Studies Foundations include health and first aid, an introduction to psychology, professional practice and ethics, foundations in community and child studies and others. To check out a full listing of courses in the Community and Child Studies Foundations program, visit the course outline page.

Also developed in this program is an understanding of personal and professional requirements of the varied careers within the Community Services and Child Studies fields. This ensures that students are well aware of what is needed to succeed moving forward. Lastly, students will engage in reflective practice that will help to develop their skills, communication competence and much more. When the program has been completed successfully, students obtain an Ontario College Certificate and apply to a Centennial College program of their choice.

With their solid academic foundation from the multidisciplinary Community Services and Child Studies Foundations program, students will be qualified for a very wide range of programs. These programs include: Early Childhood Education, Child and Youth Worker, Developmental Service Worker, Community and Justice Services, Police Foundations, Recreation and Leisure Services and Social Service Worker.

Embark on a Unique Career with Children’s Entertainment: Writing, Production and Management

“Sunny day, sweepin’ the clouds away, on my way to where the air is sweet. Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?” We all remember this classic opening line to the theme song of the very popular children’s show Sesame Street. We could also probably sing the words to the theme songs of today’s hit shows such as Dora the Explorer and Blue Clue’s. That’s because children’s entertainment is a well-known, multi-billion dollar business around the world. What better way to be part of it than to study Children’s Entertainment: Writing, Production and Management?

Centennial College offers this program as a three-semester Ontario College Graduate Certificate undertaking. Applicants to the Children’s Entertainment program must submit an official transcript demonstrating proof of successful completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree program. Centennial College will also consider applicants presenting a combination of partial post secondary education and relevant work experience. Aside from this academic requirement, a program admission session including portfolio and writing assessment will also be required.

Once a student has met the prerequisites set out by Centennial College, he or she will embark on a program that was designed by some of the most respected contemporary producers, writers and directors in Canadian children’s entertainment. These professionals include: Laura Phillips, writer/ producer of “Jake and The Kid” and writer of Jim Henson’s “Labyrinth”, “Fraggle Rock” and “The Christmas Toy”; Pat Ellingson, Creative head of TVOntario; Adina Pitt, the VP of Acquisitions for Nickelodeon; Lynn Oldershaw who works in Developmental Psychology in the CBC Children’s Department and many others. These experts have created the Children’s Entertainment: Writing, Production and Management program to cover a wide range of entertainment products — film, TV, books, education products, games and interactive media — for the growing children’s market. Courses cover topics such as writing for children’s entertainment, team building, project management, TV production, marketing integrated media for children’s entertainment and more. Through these courses, you’ll be able to hone in your storytelling abilities, business skills and production management, giving you a well-rounded education. The program is project driven and you’ll complement your in-class training with an industry field placement. This placement throws you right into the world of Children’s Entertainment: Writing, Production and Management, so that you graduate with employable skills and experience.

Upon graduation, students are prepared for careers in the children’s media industry as: children’s writers, marketing specialists, project managers, content manager, children’s TV producers and children’s multi-platform producer. As you can see, this industry offers a wide range of career options. During the course of the program, you’ll have discovered your talents and abilities and will be prepared to decide which career direction is the one for you.

Become an Electronics Expert of the Skies as an Aviation Technician in Avionics Maintenance

Some of the most important aspects of an airplane include electrical power distribution and control, navigation, flight instrumentation, communication and radar. Therefore, before a plane is cleared for takeoff, these features must be inspected, tested and double-checked to ensure that they are working correctly. The people assigned to this responsibility are Avionics Maintenance Technicians.

To become an Avionics Maintenance Tech, you must be comfortable working with your hands, technically skilled and be able to effectively use computers. You must also have a strong memory and the ability to quickly and accurately diagnose aircraft malfunctions. The quickness of the job is crucial, as you will work under pressure to meet critical deadlines. Lastly, Avionics Maintenance Technicians must be able to work in a small team or individually. Therefore, leadership skills and the ability to follow orders are essential.

All of these skills are taught in Centennial College’s Aviation Technician – Avionics Maintenance program. Spanning two years in length and resulting in an Ontario College Diploma, the program covers everything from basic electronics to sophisticated avionic systems used in modern aircraft. The emphasis is based on the aircraft’s various electronic systems. There are, however, prerequisites to enter the program. Centennial College expects students to posses at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or General Education Development or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Students must also have completed the compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment or equivalent and Math 11M or U or 12C or U or skills assessment or equivalent.

Designed to prepare bench technicians for avionic-approved shops and aircraft manufacturing companies, the Aviation Technician – Avionics Maintenance program is both Transit Canada-approved Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council-certified. Your time in the program is equally split between theory and lab training with shop work on various aircraft. The lab and shop work is performed in a facility that is equipped with all the latest modern tools, which reflect current trends in the industry. The hands-on training is led by faculty members who have years of experience and extensive technical expertise, ensuring that training is geared directly to the needs of the aircraft industry. Another way students gain knowledge is through guest speakers and panelists, who share their real-life stories and expertise. The training in this Aviation Technician – Avionics Maintenance program is rounded out by maintenance servicing practices and procedures, as well as aviation regulation requirements.

To graduate, students must achieve a minimum C grade in all courses. Transport Canada accreditation requires both a minimum B grade in every course and an absentee rate of less than five per cent of the total program hours. Graduates who meet attendance requirements, project completion requirements, and attain 70 per cent in each course, are granted up to 18 months credit towards their Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s licence (E rating).

Upon graduation, students may seek employment aircraft-related businesses (airlines, operators of light aircraft) as well as non-aircraft related electronic industries. In their field, Avionics Technicians maintain engine operations, flight patterns, navigation systems, radio communications, and weather radar systems. In essence, a flight cannot take off without the job of these professionals.

Have a Hand in Serving Up Delicious Cuisine in Food and Beverage Management

That delicious rack of lamb with the meat that is falling off the bone and a nice glass of wine or that succulent shrimp in creamy Alfredo sauce and penne pasta are meant to hit the spot and satisfy your taste buds. But whom are the people ensuring that your meal is served to your liking and that your restaurant experience is memorable? They are professionals in Hospitality Management – Food and Beverage. With the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC) anticipating that the food and beverage services sector will grow to employ 1.95-million people by 2015, now is a great time to get your career started.

Restaurant operation managers are responsible for monitoring the day-to-day operations of an eatery — whether at a restaurant, a hotel, a golf club, a cruise or banquet hall. They collaborate with other managers and owners in the planning, directing and coordinating of restaurant operations. They also deal directly with customers and employees and are responsible for a diversity of duties that include financial record keeping and hiring, handling and firing employees. More specifically, those trained in Hospitality Management – Food and Beverage, handle duties such as ensuring that all materials used in food preparation and serving are working properly, ordering new refrigerators, cookers or blenders or ordering repair services; playing an active role in marketing the restaurant and devising promotional programs, interacting with customers and vendors and ensure that their needs are met, managing inventory and keeping financial records of purchases and sales and working with the human resources department to train, develop, hire, retain and fire employees.

To enter this multi-faceted field, students must obtain the adequate training and education. Centennial College offers a two-year program called Hospitality Management – Food and Beverage. You will learn skills, including menu management and design, kitchen management, beverage knowledge and bartending. These topics are taught through courses such as Quantity Food Production, Supervisory Practices for Kitchen Manager, Cuisines of Diverse Cultures, Beverage Knowledge and Bartending, Dining Room Management and many others. Centennial College also houses an on-campus student training restaurant, a hospitality management centre and lab practice facilities.
To supplement the theory that is learned, you will also spend two days per week in a placement at a restaurant or hotel. This placement will give you the practical experience to be employable upon graduation. Also, many of the program’s corporate and business partners will hire students during or after periods of work experience. Lastly, certifications include the Smart Serve program and the National Sanitation Training Certificate.

To apply for the Hospitality Management – Food and Beverage program, Centennial College expects students to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Compulsory English 12C or U skills assessment, or equivalent is also required. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

Be at the Helm of Canada’s Tourism Industry in Hospitality and Tourism Administration

Impressive numbers such as revenue in excess of $61.4-billion from 60,000 different companies that employ more than 1.66-million Canadians, could only come from one industry. Tourism. It is Canada’s second largest employment sector and the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council suggests that between 2006 and 2015, 290,690 new jobs will be created. Be at the top of the pay scale within this industry as a professional in Hospitality and Tourism Administration.

A three-year offering at Centennial College, prepares you for an exciting profession in this field. To apply, applicants must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. They must also possess compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent. The Hospitality and Tourism Administration program focuses on a very wide-range of business courses in marketing, human resources, industry operations and finance. However, these courses are taught in a manner that directly reflects the entire hospitality and tourism field. Specific course titles include: World Geographic Patterns, Introduction to Hospitality Accounting, Dimensions of Tourism, Hospitality and Tourism Marketing, Front Office Operations, Meeting and Convention Management, Hospitality Industry Issues and many, many more. Students supplement in-class training with practice at the college’s full-service hospitality management centre, on-site conference centre and state-of-the-art computer labs. Access to these practice facilities also readies students for their four-day per week, 15-week industry internship in the final semester of the Hospitality and Tourism Admin program. The individualized industry internship experience will provide a practical foundation for your career. Many students continue on as full-time employees at their internship placements.

So where exactly can you find employment upon program graduation? Graduates of Centennial College are prepared to work in tourism and hospitality areas such as: hotel and restaurant general management, human resources management, sales and marketing management, convention services coordination and tour coordination. This wide range of areas makes it easy to find your niche but also change career paths if you choose to. Let’s take a look at what a couple of the options entail.

A competent general manager is essential to the success of any hotel. Although the job descriptions vary, certain requirements are similar across the board. Hotel managers are often in charge of leading hotel personnel and managers of various departments. They also act as liaisons between hotel guests and staff and may be called on to solve disputes. Lastly, hotel managers may oversee the daily fiscal workings of the facility. A good hotel manager must be comfortable working with numbers, managing various spreadsheets and budgets for different departments, and making important fiscal decisions. Another option in Hospitality and Tourism Administration is a hotel marketing manager. This person’s job is to finds creative ways to propel a hotel into the public realm to boost sales and productivity. To do this, he or she works with the hotel’s advertising and sales managers to promote services and amenities. Also, marketing managers learn what travelers want and estimate the cost of including those services.

Become a Heavy Duty Equipment Technician And Get Your Hands Dirty

We’ve all walked by construction sites, near forests or farms and noticed the monstrous machines that are used to construct buildings, cut down trees, landscape and generally shape our cities. But who are the people taking care of the inner workings of these important vehicles? They’re Heavy Duty Equipment Technicians and they’re not afraid to get their hands dirty.

Having the right training to become a technician in heavy duty equipment is essential. Centennial College offers a two-year Heavy Duty Equipment Technician Co-op program for those interested in this field. In order to apply, you must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or General Educational Development (GED) or equivalent. Non-academic requirements include: satisfactory results in a program admission session, experience and mechanical aptitude, resumé and English proficiency.

Once you have been accepted into the Heavy Duty Technician Co-op, you will experience a combination of in-school training and practical on-the-job experience through co-op placement. During the 16 combined months of in-school training, you will take courses in advanced electrical/electronics, logistics, hoisting, rigging, trade practices, fixed operations management, occupational health and safety and more. During the school portion of the program, you will also have the opportunity to train on heavy duty equipment assemblies in fully-equipped heavy duty equipment labs. Meanwhile, the eight months of practical training sees you at a heavy equipment facility, working among professionals in the field. Successful Centennial College students graduate with an Ontario College Diploma.

Aside from the right training, Heavy Duty Equipment Technicians should also possess some personal qualities that will make them successful in the field. As a tech, you should like working both in and outdoors with your hands, have the stamina to be on your feet for long periods of time, use physical strength on the job, like to learn new things on a consistent basis (as equipment changes frequently) and be able to work with computers and computerized equipment.

Once you’ve taken the right training and possess the necessary skills, you can be employed as a heavy duty equipment technician, service writer or coordinator, service manager, college or industry teacher, or equipment company representative. As there are a variety of job titles within the field, there are also multiple industries in which graduates find work. They include: construction, transportation, forestry, mining, landscaping, land cleaning, farming and more. As a heavy duty equipment technician, you will have a variety of tasks. One of the most important is to check bulldozers, cranes, graders and other equipment for proper performance and inspect them for faults and malfunctions. You will then diagnose the faults using computerized and other testing equipment. The next step is to adjust equipment and repair or replace defective parts, components or systems using hand and power tools. Lastly, the repaired equipment is tested to ensure that it works.

Discover Your Abilities in the General Arts and Science – Arts Program

You know that you enjoy English and you’ve always been good at writing and reading, or perhaps communicating with people is one of your favourite things to do. However, you’re unsure of what career path is right for you. Or, maybe you have to upgrade your skills before you can apply for the Arts program of your choice. To help you do so, Centennial College has developed its General Arts and Science – Arts program.

For whom exactly is this program ideal? Students who are interested in a career in the fields of Communication Arts, Child Studies, Community Services or Hospitality and Tourism Administration will benefit greatly from the General Arts and Science – Arts program. That’s because it will help them to explore career goals and various opportunities. Therefore, it is also ideal for students who are undecided if university is the right choice for them or if the career path they’re considering will suit them. Also, students who are sure they want to apply to a university level Arts degree program will gain beneficial knowledge. Lastly, if none of the above applies to you, but you do not possess the academic admission credentials needed to enter a university program of your choice, then the General Arts and Science – Arts program may be for you.

To gain entry into this undertaking you must possess an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. You must also have the compulsory English 12C or U, or skills assessment or equivalent. However, possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to program.

Once you have been accepted, you will study for eight continuous months or two semesters with breaks. During your time in the General Arts and Science – Arts program, you will take courses such as College Communications, Math in the Digital Age, Concepts in Humanities, Canadian Studies, 20th Century History and many others. The range of courses in the program is designed to cover humanities and social sciences as well as communications and learning skills so that students graduate feeling confident in whatever education option they pursue. Those who opt to attend a Centennial College Arts program are looking at a further study period of one to four semesters, depending on future goals. Also, after one year of study, with at least a 3.0 GPA, you may proceed directly into year 1 of a university arts program. To further help students, Centennial College’s General Arts and Science – Arts program has articulated programs with selected universities, institutes and professional associations. These schools include: Athabasca University, Griffith University, Ryerson University and York University.

Discover Automotive Service Opportunities with the Canadian Tire Modified Apprenticeship

If you have an interest in the automobile industry, specifically the automotive service technician field, and you want to work in a Canadian company that is progressive and has many opportunities across the country, there is a program just for you. Centennial College’s Automotive Service Technician Canadian Tire Modified Apprenticeship is designed to be product-generic and cover a broad-range of makes and models from the automotive industry.

To apply for the one-year program, students are required to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or GED or equivalent. They should also be employed by a Canadian Tire dealership or selected through an interview process. For this modified apprenticeship, candidates may apply directly to Centennial College. As space in the program is limited, acceptance is based on successful completion of all entry requirements. Successful applicants must obtain an employer and then register as a MAP apprentice with the Apprenticeship Branch of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. For complete information on registration check out the School of Transportation’s Automotive Service Technician Canadian Tire Modified Apprenticeship page.

Once you have been accepted into the program, you will find that training is more in-depth and in-school sessions are longer than traditional apprenticeships. This creates the opportunity to obtain more in-depth knowledge. You will be learning from a very focused province-wide curriculum that satisfies the knowledge necessary to become a licensed technician. Because the program is product-generic and covers a broad-range of makes and models from the automotive industry, you’ll be employable in a variety of dealerships. For the in-school portion of the program, Canadian Tire supplies the tools and equipment with which you will be training. This specific program feature ensures that you are familiar with the tools of this particular company, as the hands-on part of the Automotive Service Technician Canadian Tire Modified Apprenticeship takes place at a Canadian Tire dealer. Working along side automotive service professionals, you will learn the ins and outs of the company and be compensated for your time.

Once you have successfully completed the program, you will be employable as an automotive service technician in a Canadian Tire dealer, or other car dealership. At your place of employment, you will maintain and repairs cars, vans and pickup trucks. This is done by fixing engines, changing brakes, checking windshield wipers and fluid levels and replacing mufflers, hoses, belts and plugs. Essentially, if a repair is needed, it’s up to automotive service technicians to find a way to get it done.

Ensure the Safe and Nutritious Preparation of Meals as a Food Service Worker

Any facilities that serve food and have a healthcare aspect, such as long-term care or acute care organizations (for example, hospitals or community services) require experienced Food Service Workers. These professionals ensure that food is prepared in a safe way that meets industry standards. They also advise on nutrition and therapeutic nutrition for patients in long-term facilities.

Centennial College offers a one-semester Food Service Worker program, which provides you with the knowledge and skills to effectively contribute to a food service team. To gain entry into the program, you must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. English proficiency will also be considered. However, possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to program. Once you’ve applied and have been accepted, you will find that the program is broken down into five components. These components are: role of the Food Service Worker, workplace communication, safety and sanitation, nutrition in healthcare and a practical kitchen aspect. Within these five components you will learn aspects of food quantity preparation and service, sanitation practices, customer service, cost management skills and much more. The program is a combination of classroom lectures, practical kitchen experience and a work experience field placement in a healthcare facility. The placement is an opportunity to apply classroom learning to real situations that you will encounter in the Food Service Worker field. Before you’re able to go out on placement, the school does require you to have a mandatory two-step mantoux test (TB skin test) within 12 months of starting the program, even if you have had BCG, as well as influenza immunization and a vulnerable persons police check. Another attractive feature of the Centennial College program is that it was developed to meet the standards and criteria of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Students in the certificate program may also use the knowledge and skills to transfer into the two-year Food and Nutrition Management diploma program if desired.

Once you graduate from the Food Service Worker program, you will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills to find work with commercial, institutional or long-term care facilities. In fact, this certificate is a requirement to work as a dietary aide in long-term care. In their positions, Food Service Workers, have variety of tasks. One important aspect of the job is to communicate the role of nutrition and apply the principles of human nutrition to food production, in the health care foodservice environment. They also provide diet therapy relating to a variety of illnesses and diseases by assembling appropriate meals, while applying food and bake theories. This goes hand-in-hand with the duties of implementing cooking principles and techniques in the preparation of large quantities of foods. During the preparation of meals, Food Service Workers also ensure that food is free from bacteria and other harmful contaminants by adhering to government and departmental regulations. Lastly, Food Service Workers carry out cost control techniques in the preparation of foodservice in the health care environment.

An Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship is a Great Start to Your Career

It’s a beautiful summer day and you’re driving along the road to the beach in your trusty car that’s been getting you around for about 10 years. What could go wrong? You arrive at the beach, enjoy your day and hop back in the car. Turning the key, you listen for the reassuring sound of the engine, but there’s nothing except for a puttering and silence. You open the hood to examine what the problem may be and realize that what’s underneath the hood is a lot more complicated than you thought. The next step is to call an experienced Automotive Service Technician, of course.

Skilled workers in the Automotive Service Technician field have an impressive working knowledge of all of a vehicle’s systems as well as the ability to quickly and accurately diagnose the source of the problem. The systems with which these technicians are familiar include: engines, fuels, transmissions and drivelines, brakes, electrical/electronics, steering and suspension. With the evolution of cars, the job of a car service professional has also evolved to include working with electronic systems and complex computers that run today’s models. Therefore, they must acquire high-tech skills to inspect, maintain and repair automobiles and trucks that run on gasoline, ethanol and alternative fuels such as electricity. Some common tasks performed by Automotive Service Technicians include oil changes, tire rotations, diagnosing more complex problems, testing and lubricating engines, replacing worn parts before they cause damage to the vehicle and more. These technicians also know that belts, hoses, plugs, brakes, fuel systems, and other potentially troublesome items must be watched closely.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008 most service technicians worked a standard 40 hours a week. But 24 per cent worked longer hours. The same organization reports that automotive service technicians and mechanics held about 763,700 in 2008. The majority of workers are employed in maintenance shops and with automobile dealers. In addition, automotive parts, accessories and tire stores, gas stations, automotive equipment rental and leasing companies also employ service techs.

Centennial College’s Automotive Service Technician apprenticeship gets students on the road to a successful and long-lasting career. To complete the program, students spend five training periods of 1,800 hours with an employer, three eight-week college sessions or one-day-a-week for three years or two evenings a week for three years. During their time at Centennial, they encounter in-school training that is geared to on-the-job experience. Automotive Service Technician apprentices also interact with professors who have extensive experience in the industry and learn in a state-of-the-art transportation leaning centre.

To be eligible for the Automotive Service Tech program you must be currently employed as an apprentice. You cannot apply directly to the college or ontariocolleges.ca for admission to this apprenticeship program. For general information about apprenticeship registration, please contact the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Also required is an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent. Once accepted, you may qualify for income support while in school through Employment Insurance Canada benefits or training allowance.

Help Clients to Stabilize their Bank Accounts as a Financial Planner

In today’s unsteady economy, planning for your financial stability is more important than ever. Clearly reflecting that fact is a 2006 Deliotte and Touche report that speaks on the need of financial professionals today and in the future. It is further backed by a 2009 Toronto Board of Trade report, which says that with demographic changes there is an increasing need for regulation and associated trained professionals. Therefore, we will see an increasing demand for graduates from programs such as Financial Planning.

Centennial College’s Financial Planning program is a Graduate Certificate undertaking, which means that it is the perfect choice for those who have previous education in financial services or have taken the Canadian Securities course or have worked in the financial services industry and are ready for advancement. Aside from having these aspects in mind when applying, students must also submit an official transcript demonstrating proof of successful completion of a post-secondary advanced diploma or degree program. Students may also be required to sit through an interview process and have their resume reviewed. English and math skills assessments may also be required.

The Financial Planning program takes eight months to complete. During your time at Centennial College, you will gain the educational requirements for the Certified Financial Planner exam and to be fully licensed with IDA/MFDA. This is achieved by covering topics such as tax planning, retirement financial planning, corporate credit management, ethics and stakeholder management and many others. There are also a number of specific skills that are gained by taking this Financial Planning program. Students are able to prepare accurate and relevant financial plans (manually and electronically), recognize potential tax and legal implications within a financial planning situation, apply recognized financial planning principles and industry standards, and integrate economic and personal information that is necessary for effective planning decisions. But that’s not all, students also have the ability to compare, contrast and select from appropriate financial products and services, investment planning and counselling. Lastly, the Financial Planning program teaches students how to effectively market financial products by developing an inventory of prospective clients and following up with the individual sales strategies in pursuit of new and renewal business.

Graduates of Financial Planning who complete the appropriate licensing steps, will be able to work in: banks, credit unions, financial planning companies, life insurance companies, mutual fund companies and with investment dealers. At these places, they assess all sources of revenue, including salaries and investments, and create budgets for clients that meet their various long-term goals. They do this in such as way that hopefully does not restrict the clients’ current quality of life. Financial planners also advise clients about implications of specific decisions, how to manage the risk posed in the cash flow, about the best insurance technique for use in order to reduce risks and they formulate tax and estate plans. Lastly, they determine whether clients have sufficient resources to meet goals within a specified time limit.

Explore a Career in Financial Fraud Investigation with Training from Centennial College

With credit card scams becoming commonplace, bankcards being compromised, people trying to scam insurance companies, and more, financial crime prevention is one of the fastest growing areas of finance. The advancement of technology has seen financial crime evolve rapidly recently, which creates new risks that need to be addressed and a new field that organizations turn in cases of financial crimes. This exciting new field combines the business of money with investigation and is called Financial Fraud Investigation.

The professionals who work in this sector of the financial industry possess essential skills and knowledge in forensic accounting and investigation techniques. The eight-month Centennial College Financial Fraud Investigation program offers just what you need to find entry-level positions in the field of forensic accounting and audit investigations, within the public or private sectors. Designed for applicants who have completed a diploma or degree program but want to learn more about the field of financial fraud investigations, this program has some specific prerequisites. Applicants to must submit an official transcript demonstrating proof of successful completion of a post-secondary diploma in business or accounting. They may also be required to attend an interview session and present a resume. English and/or math skills may also be tested. Applicants who present a combination of partial post-secondary education and relevant work experience will be considered.

After successfully entering the Financial Fraud Investigation program, you will be prepared for areas of fraud and economic loss quantification such as: investigating and analyzing financial evidence, testifying as a witness, becoming involved in criminal investigations and uncovering financial evidence in employee or insurance fraud cases, and investigating in the rapidly evolving area of computer fraud. Learning occurs through specialized courses such as Financial Crimes Investigation, Introduction to Intelligence Gathering, International Legal Elements, Forensic Accounting, Ethics and Fraud Criminology and more. Experts from the industry serve as faculty, ensuring that students are learning from firsthand experiences. The program content also prepares students for the Certified Fraud Examiner examination.

Once they graduate, students of the Financial Fraud Investigation program can find employment as: forensic accounting/ litigation consultants, tax auditors, gaming investigators, insurance investigators, bank investigators and internal auditors. The work of practicing professionals could mean the difference between perpetrators avoiding detection or being brought to justice. In many cases, whether or not the investigation is successful, depends on the professionals. Graduates of Centennial College can rest assured that they will have all the abilities needed to make a name for themselves in financial fraud investigations.

One interesting job in this field is that of a gaming investigator. This person observes casino operations for cheating or theft by employees or patrons. Most of the work is performed in observation rooms using audio and video equipment. These recordings can be used in criminal investigations. Gaming investigators also have the job of being stationed on a catwalk over one-way mirrors located on the casino floor or simply walking around the facility and observing activities. Another option is becoming an internal auditor who conducts risk assessment of assigned departments or functional areas, establishes risk-based audit programs, determines the scope of reviews, reviews the suitability of internal control designs, conducts audit testing of specified areas and identifies reportable issues and verbally communicates findings. Many of the other jobs in Financial Fraud Investigation have overlapping duties.

Make Green Living Your Career as an Environmental Protection Technician

The focus on green living is shifting from just reuse, reduce, recycle to the use of solar energy, electric cars and motorbikes and entire environmentally friendly neighbourhoods. Adding to that, disasters such as the recent Gulf Coast oil spill are making the job of an Environmental Protection Technician vital. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for environmental technicians is excellent. This occupation is projected to expand faster, through 2018, than other occupations that require post-secondary training or an associate degree

As a technician, you are responsible for performing laboratory and field tests to analyze environmental resources and determine the contaminants that are causing pollution. You will also take samples for testing and generally have a hand in reducing or managing the causes of pollution. In order to pursue this field of work you should have good organizational, analytic thinking, communication and interpersonal skills. You must be well versed in using computers, particularly in computer modeling.

A typical day in the life of an Environmental Protection Technician would include a wide range of tasks. He or she might start the day by collecting samples of gases, soils, water, industrial wastewater and asbestos products, on which tests will be conducted to determine pollutant levels and identify sources of the pollution. A technician will also record test data, prepare reports and summaries and charts that interpret the test results. As a conclusion to the testing, he or she might work on developing and implementing programs of environmental pollution and radiation. Lastly, he or she will discuss the results with customers then set up equipment or stations to further monitor and collect pollutants from the sites. However, Environmental Protection Technicians are not limited to these duties. Technicians are also involved in the regulation of waste products, managing hazardous material, affecting compliance with environmental regulations, and the clean up of polluted sites. Work is found in laboratories, with government agencies and with environmental firms.

To get your foot in the door of this field, you will need to complete a college program such as Centennial College’s Environmental Protection Technician undertaking. The School expects applicants to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. You also need to possess compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent and Math 11M or U, or 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent. Once requirements have been met, you will embark on an exciting two-year program that features practical training in the three foundation disciplines of biology, chemistry and civil engineering, which are used to help you understand and manage complex environmental issues. You’ll work with the tools and equipment that professionals use in the field and have laboratory practice in water quality testing, groundwater movement and the chemistry of pollutants. Upon graduation, you’ll be qualified to write the Ontario Ministry of the Environment Water Quality Analyst exam. There are even more exciting benefits to the Environmental Protection Technician program that you can check out by viewing the benefits page.

Design the World’s Energy Systems as an Energy Systems Engineering Technician

With global warming and environmental concerns permeating conversations among residents of your city, politicians and global leaders, society’s view on energy is clearly changing. That change is also transforming the utility and construction sectors. And a widening skilled-labour shortage as well as quickly advancing technology in the energy sector is opening many doors for educated Energy System Engineering Technicians.

These techs are required to posses a wide range of knowledge across mechanical, electrical, electronic and automation engineering fields. That’s because the changes in operating practices within the utility industry are creating innovative energy projects that involve small-scale sources such as solar, wind, hydro, fuel cells, gas turbines and biomass being used to feed electricity, heat and air-condition to facilities. Another opportunity for Energy Systems Engineering Technicians can be found in the green building outlook within the construction sector. These eco-friendly engineering practices come with many new products that provide ways to implement advanced energy control into commercial and residential structures. So where do energy system engineering professionals come in? They must integrate and use all modern sustainable energy technologies in ways that are consistent with the urban environment.

As mentioned, there are many jobs in the Energy Systems Engineering Technician field, as long as professionals have knowledge of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, computational fluid dynamics and mechanics. Such knowledge can be applied to industries that include moulding and casting, integrated circuit packaging, heat exchanger/ boiler design and manufacture and petrochemical processing. Specific tasks of Energy Systems Engineering Technicians include: operating power plants of various sizes, designing and maintaining heating, ventilating air-conditioning, and refrigeration units and working with architectural companies to integrate energy technologies into the latest green designs.

Before you can think about setting foot in the field, the right type of training is required. Centennial College’s two-year Energy Systems Engineering Technician program has been designed to teach you fundamental skills to understand energy and its uses in our society. Offering a unique blend of technical, managerial and entrepreneurial skills, the program covers topics such as chemistry for energy systems, electric circuits, fabrication and installation, digital and power electronics, renewable energy systems, wind and solar energy and more. Aside from in-class training, students also participate in labs, applied research and development projects. Another attractive aspect of the program is that it is part of the student chapter of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Upon successful completion of the two-year Energy Systems Engineering Technician program, students have the option to enter year three of the Energy Systems Engineering Technology program.

There are some prerequisites when applying to this program. Applicants should present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. They should also have compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent and Math 11M or U, or 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent.

Solve, Design, Develop and Test as an Electronic Engineering Technician

If money makes the world go ‘round, electronics must be a close second. Think about how often we use electronics in our daily lives. From MP3 players, cell phones and computers to stereos, TV sets and even battery chargers, these are just some of the most common electronics. The people who solve technical problems or design, develop, test and manufacture these devices and other electronic equipment are very important. They are Electronic Engineering Technicians.

The job of these technicians is to solve technical problems in research and development, manufacturing, sales, construction, inspection, and maintenance by using science, engineering and mathematical principles. They often assist engineers and scientists. Electronic Engineering Technicians normally work 40 hours a week and spend their time in labs, offices and manufacturing plants. However, the fields in which they work vary from telecommunications and computer applications to control systems, radio and TV equipment and audio-visual equipment. No matter what industry they choose to work in, Electronic Engineering Technicians have a wide range of tasks that they perform. For example, they may research equipment and component needs, sources, competitive prices delivery times and ongoing operational costs. In the same “written” area of the field they may write reports and record data on testing techniques, laboratory equipment and specifications to assist engineers while also maintaining system logs and manuals, reading blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematic drawings and engineering instructions for assembling electronic units.

Moving into the hands-on aspects of the Electronic Engineering Technician field, the techs may fabricate parts such as coils, terminal boards and chassis, using bench lathes, drills and other machine tools. They may then write computer or microprocessor software programs and test the electronic units that they’re helped to put together. If there are problems, the techs will identify and resolve equipment malfunctions. Lastly, the professionals in this field may have to provide user applications and engineering support for new and existing equipment with regard to installation, upgrades and enhancement. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs in the field are expected to grow by five per cent between 2008 and 2018.

To become an Electronics Engineering Technician, the appropriate education is required. Centennial College offers a two-year program in this field that sees students graduate with an Ontario College Diploma. Gaining entry into the undertaking requires the possession of an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or being 19 years of age or older. You must also have compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent and Math 11M or U, or 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent. Once entry is gained, you’ll embark on an exciting college experience in Electronics Engineering that has been redesigned to prepare you for the challenging career that awaits you. Working in fully-equipped labs you will learn theory and gain hands-on training. You’ll develop technical expertise in areas such as wireless communications, data communications, microcontrollers and industrial systems. You’ll gain experience working with computers, communication transceivers and electronics testing and measurement equipment. At the end of two years of study, students with a minimum 2.0 GPA can transfer directly into the fifth semester of the technologist program.

Utilize Your Art Skills to Digital Animation

From the most mind-bending parts of the Matrix series to animated heroes such as Batman, professionals in digital animation are behind some of the most eye-catching aspects seen on the big screen, online and on TV. Digital animation has come a long way and it is actually so popular it is being used to propel movies, video games and even ads into the mainstream. Now is a great time to enter this field because the industry is growing and presenting many unique job opportunities in Canada and abroad.

With the ever-changing digital animation market, competition is fierce. You’ll have to bring your most artistic creativity, which means understanding composition and having the ability to draw. Whether you’re creating computer-generated images or a storyboard, you’ll need a grasp on basic art skills. Digital animators should also know the technical side of the industry because computer generated imagery careers are becoming more technological. Various software programs must be mastered. Another important skill for today’s digital animators is the ability to tell a story. This includes having a good sense of timing and pacing and knowing how to get your characters to express themselves in a way that is credible. Lastly, digital animation is not a field in which you work by yourself. Therefore, teamwork is essential. You may have to follow or give direction, communicate clearly and make the product come together to appear as if one person created it.

Jobs in the field of digital animation vary, and include 3D character animators, lighters, modelers, riggers, level designers for games, texture artists, technical directors, compositors and visual effects supervisors. Most animators, however, complete some common tasks in a normal day’s work. For example, digital animators are involved in drawing the storyboard and creating models. They then design an animated environment that includes background, sets and objects as well as characters. The next step is to create each frame, work out the timing of movements and make sure it all meets the script and soundtrack requirements. Throughout the process, the use of computer software is incorporated.

Centennial College’s Digital Animation program has been launching the careers of digital animators since 1996. In a 14-month span you will prepare for work film, TV, broadcast and game design. The program offers a project-based learning approach that gives students 24-hour, 7-day-a-week access to labs and workstations. Small sized-classrooms and one-on-one instruction also provide students with detailed learning and the opportunity to have all their questions answered. They are also well trained in life drawing, acting for animation and storyboard training. Aside from courses such as Broadcast Design, Character Animation, and Drawing for 3D Modeling and Animation, the school provides an opportunity for a field placement so that training can be applied to the real workforce. As a result, one important outcome of the Digital Animation program is that students produce a demo reel to showcase their abilities.

In order to apply for Digital Animation at Centennial College, students must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. They are also required to possess compulsory English 12C or U credit or skills assessment, or equivalent. Lastly, English proficiency, a program admission session and a portfolio review are required. Your portfolio may include 10 to 15 pieces such as illustration, photography, video animation, computer generated artwork, music, performance art or publishing.

Combine Business and Technical Skills with Computer Repair and Maintenance

Computers are everywhere we look. We have them in our homes, in our offices, in schools, at libraries and even in our cell phones. These machines help us to do everything from accounting to writing letters to finding the best place for sushi via the Internet. So, imagine how you would feel if one day the screen on your computer went blank without explanation and the machine didn’t turn back on. You’d probably panic and then you’d turn to the Computer Repair and Maintenance industry for help.

Broken down to the most literal terms, computer repair and maintenance technicians are responsible for the diagnosis and correction of any hardware or software issues that may arise on a client’s computer. This means that they are employed in a variety of business and industry settings that include: personal computer support, sales and service, personal computer bench repair, upgrades and maintenance, operation and maintenance of computerized manufacturing equipment, and consumer electronic equipment sales and service.

Due to the nature of their jobs, computer repair and maintenance professionals encounter and fix a variety of problems to ensure that your computer is up and running in no time. First and foremost, these technicians identify (troubleshoot) a computer failure that has put the machine out of action or reduced its performance. Once the problem is found, the computer and repair maintenance tech consults with the owner of the computer and given the go ahead, moves onto the repair stage. In many cases, software issues such as software corruption, incorrect installation, incompatible upgrades or malware cause computer problems. It is up to the tech to isolate and resolve these issues, at the same time being able to explain in laymen’s terms what created the problem and how to avoid its recurrence. Computer repair and maintenance professionals must also be aware of anti-virus software and have the ability to deal with spyware, which is malicious software that collects information from the infected computer-adware and auto-loads ads that come with a software installation. Another part of the field is dealing with new challenges, such as installing and configuring any piece of hardware that a client has elected to purchase and wants to synch to the computer’s database. These pieces of hardware may include cell phones or PDAs as well as printers or fax machines. Lastly, a technician should have a solid background in networking and commonly used operating systems.

To learn how to handle the complexities of the job, those interested in the field should attend a program such as Centennial College’s Computer and Maintenance Repair undertaking. To apply for this one-year program, applicants must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. They must also have the Compulsory English 12C or U credit or skills assessment, or equivalent and the Math 11M or U, or 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent.

Due to the growth of microcomputer-based systems on the marketplace, a Computer Repair and Maintenance technician has to link his or her computer expertise with general business applications. This concise Computer Repair and Maintenance program makes this connection with a combination of computer-related courses (such as PC Hardware, MS Office, Network Technologies and more) and business-based ones (such as Customer Skills and Communication Skills for Computer Repair and Networking). You’ll also get hands-on experience with installing, maintaining and applying trouble-shooting techniques. Upon completion of the Computer Repair and Maintenance program, you’ll have a valuable combination of abilities to start you off in the career direction of your choice.