Hotel Management School Provides Training in a Variety of Areas

Delta Hotels, Fairmont Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Starwood Hotels and Hyatt Hotels are just some of the places that hire students of Centennial College’s hotel management program. This respected offering takes one-year to complete and is officially known as the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Management program, which is part of the hotel management school. Geared at those students who already have post-secondary accreditation but are looking for a career change, applicants must submit an official transcript demonstrating proof of successful completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree program. A resume review may also be required. Centennial College will consider applicants presenting a combination of partial post secondary education and relevant work experience, open to all disciplines.

Training from this program puts students into an industry that brings in $18.8-billion in national accommodation revenue via 8,356 properties and 378,000 according to a 2008 report by the Hotel Association of Canada. However, hotel management is challenging to define as it includes: sales and marketing management for hotels, cruise line management, human resources management, hotel and restaurant general management, convention services and tour coordination.

That’s why Centennial College’s hotel management school covers a variety of topics to ensure students are prepared for whatever areas they want to specialize in. Among the areas covered are: finance, human resources, labour and international relations, oenology, leadership and entrepreneurship, security and risk, service quality, marketing and revenue management. More specifically, courses include: Hospitality Financial Management (designed to allow students to identify and explore the factors that are relevant to financial decision making and budgeting); Human Resources and Labour Relations Management (focuses on central HR processes such as staffing, employee training and development, appraisal and reward, and career planning in effectively employing an organization’s human resources toward the accomplishment of organizational goals and business strategy); Hospitality Marketing Strategies (builds on basic marketing concepts to enable the student to analyze and apply the principles of marketing through the integration of marketing variables with real-world situations and in-depth analysis of strategic marketing strategies); and many more.Students also partake in a two-day-per-week internship. The Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Industry Internship provides students with meaningful work experience in approved jobs within the hospitality industry, enabling them to relate classroom theory to the practical world, while adding another career educational dimension to their career preparation. Field placement enables students to better understand the dynamics of the industry, increase their knowledge of industry practices and provides a competitive advantage of experience in the job market.

If qualified graduates are interested in, and eligible for, further hotel management school studies, they can participate in an articulated program with selected universities, institutes and professional associations. These partnerships allow students to apply academic credit towards further study. Centennial College’s hotel management school partners include: International Hotel Management Institute (Switzerland), Ryerson University, University of Calgary, University of New Brunswick, University of South Carolina (U.S.) and more.

Advertising Programs At Centennial College Offer Options

Advertising is literally all around us. It appears on our television screens in the form of commercials, in our newspapers and magazines as print ads, on the Internet via pop-up ads and banners on our favourite website, on our highways in the form of billboards and even in our mail through flyers and take-out menus from restaurants. This field is far-reaching: In 2010, spending on advertising was estimated at more than $300-billion in the United States and $500-billion worldwide. The careers in advertising are also far-reaching — not everyone is the creative mind behind the campaigns. Some people work behind-the-scenes to ensure that everything is running smoothly. Your career in this exciting, creative field begins by attending one of the advertising programs offered by your local college.

In Toronto, Ont. many students turn to Centennial College to obtain their advertising credentials. Founded in 1966, the school boasts a respected reputation and offers three advertising programs to suit your unique interest in the field. All three are facilitated out of the $36-million cutting-edge campus for the arts, which ensures that students have access to the latest advertising technology, professors who have experience in the field and much more.

If students have already graduated from an advertising program but wish to advance their career by obtaining a specialized diploma, the college offers two options. The first is Advertising: Media Management. This hands-on and intensive industry-approved program prepares students for the advertising and communications industry in the role of strategic media planning and buying. It provides students with the fundamentals of media management, with a focus on consumer-driven communication channel choices for advertising messages. Just three semesters in length, this advertising program sees students attending lectures and completing an industry field placement during which they work in the field and apply what they have learned.

Another post-graduate advertising program at Centennial is Advertising: Account Management. This section of the advertising field is all about maximizing your creative, strategic and business skills to develop and coordinate advertising, sales promotion, event marketing, interactive or direct marketing. This particular Advertising program, focuses on offering students the scope of advertising tactics so they can manage integrated communication plans from inception to final production. In addition to courses such as, Advertising Research, Media for Account Managers, and Agency Finance and Operations, there is a 15-week industry field placement that allows students to gain critical knowledge, professional relationships and work experience.

If you do not yet have an advertising degree or diploma, Centennial offers an undergraduate Advertising program, which prepares students for careers in account management, media buying and planning, marketing, copywriting, production, direct marketing, promotion and event marketing. The Advertising program focuses on: developing instincts and strategic abilities while meeting deadlines in a professional and creative environment; completing an industry field placement that allows students to acquire experience in the day-to-day activities of the advertising world; and learning the entire advertising process. Courses include: Foundations in Marketing, Consumer Psychology, Imaging, Advertising Media Selection, Campaign Planning and more.

Centennial College: A Reliable Community College

In the province of Ontario when people think of reliable community colleges, it is likely that Centennial College comes to mind. Community colleges focus on job-focused practical training that is both affordable and gives students the competitive edge. Attending such a post-secondary institute allows students to save both time (with shorter program lengths) and money (with lower tuition costs). Centennial College exemplifies these, and other, community college aspects with its specialized programs and four campus locations. Let’s take a look at some community college benefits and how Centennial College excels in each aspect.

First and foremost, community college puts a lot of emphasis on being student-focused. This includes flexibility in scheduling for those students who may have part-time jobs or other demands. Centennial offers an extensive list of Continuing Education programs and options for students. There are about 160 part-time programs and more than 1,000 courses that students can either take on-campus or through Distance Learning, which is facilitated entirely online.

Other important community college features include smaller class sizes, hands-on training and, in a lot of cases, field placement experience. These were just three of the factors that helped community colleges to take off in popularity. At Centennial College, all programs offer some sort of hands-on training. Whether, it is through simulated case studies, time in laboratories or practice in simulated settings (such as the Horizons Restaurant for hospitality and tourism students or the fully-equipped automotive training centre at Ashtonbee Campus for automotive students). In addition, community colleges focus on sending students into the field of their choice so that they may apply what they have learned, work alongside seasoned professionals, network and encounter real life experiences to be prepared for entry into the workforce upon graduation. At Centennial College, many programs offer field placement or internships to its students. These work experiences are supervised by faculty members and place students in respectable companies, in which they may be hired once they are finished their studies.

Lastly, the small sized classes at community colleges make professors easily approachable and accessible. This learning environment gives students a chance to approach professors for help with solving problems, getting additional study assistance and individual attention. In addition, students have access to labs, computers, wireless Internet connections, large and fully equipped libraries and many other facilities that community colleges develop to ensure that students are getting a useful experience.

Aside from standout community college aspects, why is Centennial College the ideal choice? First and foremost, it offers experience. Founded in 1966, it was the first community college in Ontario. Secondly, the range of study areas includes: Business, Community and Health Studies, Technology and Applied Science, Hospitality Tourism and Culture as well as Communications, Media and Design. This variety of offerings makes Centennial College an ideal post-secondary institution for students looking to turn an interest into an employable skill set.

Prepare For the Construction Industry with an Architecture Program

The construction sector is inherently connected to the architecture field through architectural technology. This area’s concern is with the technical aspects of building the structures in our communities. Those in architecture technology are a vital link between architects and construction crews. Using their mastery of computer-aided-drafting software, they fill in the fine details of an architect’s drawing. In addition, they understand the physical laws that keep a building standing and know how to test materials, estimate costs, and quality evaluate mechanical and electrical systems, and prepare designs. This sector of the economy is very much in demand. Graduates of a technical based architecture program work with architects, architectural technology firms, engineers, builders, contractors, developers, construction material manufacturers and suppliers and municipal building departments.

Before professionals enter the field, they must attend a post-secondary institution such as Centennial College in Toronto, Ont. This college offers a three-year Architectural Technology program, which results in an Ontario College Advanced Diploma. Students are prepared for the field through activities such as preparing drawings for residential, industrial, commercial and institutional building types, as well as complex buildings and multi-use buildings; familiarizing themselves with building materials, construction methods, structural design, mechanical and electrical services, building codes, contracts, specifications and the business environment for providing design and construction services; and more. In addition, Centennial incorporates architecture’s green outlook into its curriculum by covering topics such as protecting the environment, energy conservation, and sustainable design and construction strategies. Green courses within the architecture program include its Environment series of classes, which address the basic principles of environmental design, physical properties of materials, and elemental structure analysis; energy conservation and other sustainability principles through investigation of local priorities, societal attitudes, construction sector trends, and issues.

Graduates can apply to: become a member of the Association of Architectural Technologists of Ontario; obtain a Building Code Identification Number; and obtain LEED status through membership with the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC).

To apply for this architecture program, students must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, they must have completed the compulsory English 12C or U credit or skills assessment, or equivalent and the Math 11M or U or 12C or U credit or skills assessment, or equivalent. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not, however, guarantee admission to Architectural Technology program. Please note that, once in the program, in order to gain entry into the fifth semester of the program, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA. Also, students who have completed all courses in semesters 1 to 4 will have all the prerequisites requirements for courses in semester 5 and 6.

Did you know that there is an expected demand for architectural services being predicted by Service Canada? This includes an increase in architectural technology jobs. In addition, Service Canada states that these opportunities will be first available to candidates with a Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC) in architectural technology/technician.

Tourism Administration Offers A Combination of Practical Experience and Hands-on Training

If you’ve ever considered a job working in: hotel and restaurant general management, human resources management, sales and marketing management, convention services coordination and tour coordination, then the field of Hospitality Administration and Tourism Administration may be for you. Each of these positions entails a variety of tasks. Here, we take a look at two of these career paths you can take.

For example, as a hotel manager you would play a very active role onsite. This role would include leading hotel personnel and mangers of various departments as well as acting as a liaison between hotel guests and staff. In some cases, managers also handle greeting customers, especially in the case of important figures and frequent guests. If there are special events, conferences or business meetings being held at the hotel, it’s usually the work of the manager to ensure that things run smoothly and that supplies and security are in place. Lastly, hotel managers may oversee the daily fiscal workings of the facility. Another job example in the tourism admin field is that of a human resources manager. This person is in charge of any of the following: recruiting and staffing, employee orientation, development, and training; organizational and space planning, performance management and improvement systems; compensation and benefits administration; employee services and counseling; and more.

With hospitality revenues in excess of $61.4-billion from 60,000 different companies that employ more than 1.66-million Canadians and the industry being pegged as the country’s second largest employment sector with 290,690 new jobs being created between 2006 and 2015, now is a great time to enter the tourism administration field.

At Centennial College, students can study tourism administration and graduate with an Ontario College Advanced Diploma in just three years. Courses cover a full range of business practices in marketing, human resources, finance and industry operations — as applied to the entire hospitality and tourism field. The training ends with a 15-week industry internship that occurs in the final semester, which enables students to relate classroom theory to the practical world, while adding another career educational dimension to their career preparation. Field placement enables the student to better understand the dynamics of the industry, increase their knowledge of industry practices and provides a competitive advantage of experience in the job market.

However, before they can be sent into the field, students have access to many on-campus resources that enhance learning, including a full-service hospitality management centre, on-site conference centre and state-of-the-art computer labs. Specific courses in which they participate include: Geography and Tourism, Kitchen & Dining Room Practices, Introduction to Hospitality Accounting, Report Writing for Hospitality, Purchasing for the Service Industry and many others.

In order to apply to this Hospitality and Tourism Administration program, students 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.

Centennial College: Hospitality Tourism Admin Program

Service the Machines that Build Our Cities as a Heavy Duty Equipment Technician

We see them everywhere — huge machines that are used to cut down trees, form landscapes, build buildings and shape the places in which we live. But the inner workings of these machines are just as important as the work they perform. In order to make sure that they are running efficiently, heavy duty equipment technicians are responsible for inspecting and fixing mechanical problems under the hood and within these machines.

There are a few qualities that make Heavy Duty Equipment Technicians successful. First and foremost, much of the job of a professional in this field is carried out outdoors, on construction sites, in forests and in other locations. Therefore, the person who enters the heavy duty equipment world must enjoy working in adverse conditions. As the Heavy Duty Equipment Technician performs repairs, he or she must also be comfortable using his or her hands on a constant basis. In addition, he or she must like to learn, as equipment is upgraded and evolves quite frequently.

As there are a variety of job titles within the field, there are also multiple industries in which Heavy Duty Equipment Technicians find work. They include: construction, transportation, forestry, mining, landscaping, land cleaning, farming and more. One of the most important tasks of these professionals is to check bulldozers, cranes, graders and other equipment for proper performance and inspect them for faults and malfunctions. They must 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.

Before one can enter the field, he or she must obtain the right education. Heavy duty equipment courses are offered at Centennial College via its Heavy Duty Equipment Technician (Apprenticeship Co-op), which takes a total of two years to complete and results in an Ontario College Diploma. 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.

The heavy duty equipment technician program consists of a combination of in-school training sessions and practical on-the-job experience through co-op placement. The 16 combined months of in-school training offer the basis for being successful during your placement. That’s because you study heavy duty equipment courses such as: advanced electrical/electronics, logistics, hoisting, rigging, trade practices, fixed operations management, occupational health and safety and more. In addition, you obtain hands-on training before your placement through training 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 alongside trained professionals.

Centennial College: Heavy Duty Equip (Co-op) Program

Attend an Aviation Program and Soar to New Heights

When boarding a plane, passengers are confident that the plane is safe and has been inspected to ensure that it can withstand the high altitudes at which it will fly. Safety percussions are taken to new heights — no pun intended — because of the extreme circumstances surrounding flying. Airline companies have a great responsibility and, therefore, hire experienced aircraft technicians, who have graduated from an aviation program and whose responsibilities include: servicing, repairing, and inspecting airplanes for commercial airlines, private firms and the military. These professionals must have knowledge of all parts of airplanes, including engines, propellers, landing gear, hydraulic equipment, radio and radar instruments, and bodies.

In order to take on this exciting career, professionals must obtain a post-secondary education through an aviation program. Centennial College offers such as an undertaking through its Aviation Technician – Aircraft Maintenance. The program is approved by Transport Canada and is recognized by the Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council as an aircraft maintenance training program. The college ensures these prestigious credentials remain in place by requiring students to complete over 200 maintenance tasks before graduating from the aviation program. Also required for Aircraft Maintenance Technician graduation is 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. The program results in an Ontario College Diploma.

A significant portion of the two years spent in the program consists of practical application in labs working on aircraft engines, conducting aircraft and component inspections in a maintenance environment and performing flight-line activities. The aviation program also emphasizes the repair of a wide range of electrical and mechanical systems within an aircraft, including: hydraulics, fuels, environmental systems, engines, surface controls and undercarriage systems, and the aircraft’s frame and external skin. Specific courses include: Safety and Human Factors, Piston Engines and Propellers, Theory of Flight, Aircraft Hydraulics & Landing Gear, Power Generation and Distribution and many others.

In order to attend the aviation program students must complete at minimum, an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or General Education Development or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Applicants must also 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.

Upon graduation, student may work at airports making quick repairs on planes that are scheduled to take off. Major repairs are handled at an airline’s overhaul base, where aircraft maintenance techs are usually more specialized. They may work on only one part of their companies’ planes, such as the engine or the landing gear. At smaller airports, airplane charter services, and general aviation repair shops, aviation technicians work on all parts of planes. Other aircraft mechanics work in plants where planes are manufactured. Sometimes they go on test flights to discover and correct any problems that new aircraft may have.

Communication Programs at Centennial College Give You Options

Are you looking for a way to enter the workforce quickly? Do you already have previous training in communications? Consider one of Centennial College’s fast-track communication programs. The school has been leading a revolution that has resulted in the staggering growth of applied learning opportunities at the post-secondary level. Centennial is continually adapting its program offerings to meet the needs of today’s increasingly diverse group of learners. Many of these learners seek shorter, relevant programs that complement their education and experiences.

Communication studies encompass topics and contexts that range from face-to-face conversation and speeches to mass media outlets such as television broadcasting. This means that communication programs include areas of study such as journalism, film and cinema, radio and television, advertising and public relations and performance studies.

One option among the fast-track Communications program options is Interactive Digital Media. The undertaking takes just three semesters to complete and emphasizes technical competence, diversity of thought, exploration and an interdisciplinary approach creating a culture of risk-taking, problem solving and team building. Students are involved with the industry in early stages of the program and complete their learning with an intensive industry field placement. Jobs upon graduation include: online producer, interactive project manager, interactive visual designer, interactive media art director and interactive marketing specialist.

Another area of communication programs at Centennial College is advertising, in which two programs are offered. Advertising Account Management is a unique undertaking where you’ll maximize your creative, strategic and business skills to develop and coordinate advertising, sales promotion, event marketing, interactive or direct marketing. If you like planning, managing and working in collaborative and professional teams, then this program will provide you with what you need to speed past the competition. Meanwhile, Media Management is a hands-on and intensive industry-approved program that will provide you with the fundamentals of media management, with a focus on consumer-driven communication channel choices for advertising messages.

Other communication programs deal with the media. They are Corporate Communications, Book and Magazine Publishing and Journalism. First, the Journalism program is an accelerated course designed for university and college graduates. From covering breaking news to exploring human-interest stories, in this program you’ll report events, interview the newsmakers and examine the issues of our times. Another area is Book and Magazine Publishing. “The Book and Magazine Publishing program at Centennial gave me a strong understanding of the Canadian publishing industry, offered numerous opportunities to meet industry professionals and introduced me to classmates who have now become good friends,” says Maya Bahar, a 2005 grad. The last of the communication programs is Corporate Communications and Public Relations. Corporate communicators and PR practitioners research, write, plan, edit, design and implement everything from strategic communications plans and employee newsletters to gala dinners for hundreds of people. They create communications strategies that influence employee attitudes, shift stockholders’ opinions and tell an organization’s story to the media., shift stockholders’ opinions and tell an organization’s story to the media. Students in this program, learn all of these elements.

Computer Systems Technician Skills Can Be Attained in Just Two Years

Computer systems technicians, field service representatives, network technicians, network technical support specialists, help desk support and technical support are some of the jobs available to students who graduate from Centennial College’s Computer Systems Technician – Networking program. Despite the different titles, professionals in this field work as part of a team that implements and maintains networks, which link desktop computers to send e-mail, and to share data, computer applications and Internet connections. This process includes installing, configuring, and resolving conflicts among different hardware used in the network, such as network adapters. In addition technicians identify problems common to components of the network, such as cards, cables, and other related hardware. They also establish disaster recovery plans for various situations if the network were to malfunction.

At Centennial College in Toronto, Ont. students takes two years to complete the Computer Systems Technician program, which incorporates the latest in computer systems and network technology. In the program, students become one of 100 yearly graduates who find their jobs in technical support from the growing mesh of Internet, intranet, extranet and telecom networks. They are taught to go inside PC hardware and into the details of operating systems to have full human control of the computing and communicating technology. They also learn to maintain systems that will empower users in their creative, business and communication activities. Specific courses in the Computer Systems Technician program include: PC Hardware (concentrates on understanding terminology, how to do fundamental tasks, and advanced configuration and troubleshooting, including using command line to accomplish technical tasks); Windows Server Operation System (provides a comprehensive introduction to Windows 2000 through a variety of individual and group activities); Electricity for Computer Systems (students experience a combination of theory and lab while they learn the fundamental principles and theories of DC and AC circuits); and many others. There is an exit point after one year, which earns students a certificate or a possibility of a three-year technology diploma.

It should be noted that Centennial College’s Computer Systems Technician training is nationally accredited by the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists, and, as such, has met the established national technology accreditation requirements. In addition, the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) recognizes the Computer Systems Technician - Networking program as meeting all the academic requirements for certification in the Technician category.

To apply, students possess at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. They 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. Students will be placed in the appropriate English level based on skills assessment results. Please note that meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the Computer Systems Technician program.

By Attending A Sales Management Program, You Obtain Theory and Practical Experience

Key account manager, account executive, commercial sales representative, sales specialist, technical sales representative, sales consultant, sales coordinator, inside sales representative, territory sales representative, these are some of the job titles available to those who have attended a sales management program. Despite the different positions, essentially, the field of Marketing: Sales and Account Management involves acquiring and maintaining relationships with major client accounts of mid to large sized companies that have their own sales force. These companies range from ones who handle medical and dental technology to those offering software and pharmaceutical products.

At Centennial College, students can take the sales management program, which in just one year prepares them for career success in key account management and professional sales. Those interested in applying must go through the application process, which begins by submitting an official transcript demonstrating proof of successful completion of a post-secondary advanced diploma or degree program. They may also be required to conduct an interview with officials, submit a resume and undergo an English and/or math skills assessment. Centennial College will also consider applicants presenting a combination of partial post-secondary education and relevant work experience, open to all disciplines.

Professors with extensive experience in sales, negotiation and account management in the business-to-business realm teach the sales management program. It is conducted out of Progress Campus, which is centrally located and houses many of Centennial College’s business programs, allowing for ample networking opportunities. The undertaking itself extensively uses learner-centered approaches such as: role-playing, simulation and cases, with a focus on developing selling, negotiating and presentation skills. Hands-on training is also provided in using sales force automation software. There is an ideal balance between theory and hands-on learning so that students are equipped with a wide range of skills upon graduation that will make them instantly employable. Specific courses within the sales management program include: Business Presentations (the course is intended to provide a solid grounding in the important business communication area) and Marketing (provides an overview of contemporary marketing, emphasizing the management of the product/service, price, promotion and distribution areas of an organization within a changing environment); and many others such as Case Analysis and Marketing Metrics, Fundamentals of Selling, Sales and Account Management, and Strategic Account Development.

In order to graduate from the sales management program, students must maintain a C grade average and an overall GPA of 2.0. Once they receive their Ontario College Graduate Certificate, graduates of the sales management program walk away with a solid foundation in the intricacies of acquiring and maintaining relationships with major client accounts. If, however, students would like to gain even more experience, an optional third semester internship in the sales account management program is available.

This Toronto College Will Get You Noticed!

Finding a Toronto college that will suit your needs and help you to obtain the education you want can be quite stressful. Luckily, Centennial College takes some of that stress away with its variety of options (full-time and part-time programs, distance learning and fast-track undertakings), an easy-to-navigate website and helpful staff members who can answer questions about everything from financial aid to what makes Centennial College's program stand apart.

Obtaining a Toronto education is made much easier by Centennial College, which serves four areas of the GTA with its Centre for Creative Communications, Morningside, Ashtonbee and Progress campuses. Each campus is uniquely staffed and equipped to handle a different area of study. The Centre for Creative Communications, as the name implies, houses Centennial College's most creative programs. It offers undertakings such as Game Design, Film and Broadcasting, Fine Arts Studio, Digital Animation, Marketing, Advertising and more. Its facilities include TV studios, computer labs, art studios and large creative spaces that serve students from all programs. Meanwhile, Morningside campus is this Toronto college's most technologically-advanced location. It houses many of the School of Community and Health Studies’ programs, including: Nursing, Esthetician, Paramedic, Food Service Worker, Spa Management and more. Facilities range from computer and science labs to a fully-equipped esthetics clinic and a mock hospital setting. As Centennial College also offers many automotive programs, its Ashtonbee campus is actually the largest transportation training centre in Ontario. Students study out of fully equipped labs that have the same high-tech equipment they will find in the field, including assembly lines and even an airplane hangar. The final campus location is also the largest. Called Progress, it is the site of many business programs as well as the base of the School of Hospitality. It is centrally located and fully equipped to handle students’ needs.

As previously mentioned, all of these locations offer a full range of programs. This includes more than 100 diploma and certificate programs on a full-time and Continuing Education basis in business, communication arts, community and consumer services, engineering technology, health and transportation. These career-oriented programs emphasize practical experience with laboratory learning, industry and agency placements, as well as co-op education. This Toronto college supports enrolments of 14,400 full-time students and 28,000 in Continuing Education. Students also have the option to pursue continuing education off-campus via its Distance Learning option, which is conducted through virtual classrooms and includes much independent study.

To help guide you into the appropriate education, Centennial College offers an extensive website that features everything from a full database of its program with descriptions of courses, prerequisites, benefits, learning outcomes and much more; to a look at the school's history and dependable reputation. The school's website even publishes success stories about graduates who have gone on to have successful careers in their respective fields.

Bioinformatics Courses in the Bioinformatics Software for Professionals Program Combine Practical and Academic Training

Organizations such as OICR, Ontario health networks, Ontario hospitals, the provincial government and many others have hired graduates of Centennial College’s Bioinformatics Software for Professionals program, which offers a variety of bioinformatics courses.

Before we take a more in-depth look at Centennial College’s program, let’s look at bioinformatics itself. This area combines biology with information technology and computers. Current advances have increased the need for the creation of new and innovative bioinformatics tools. Unique computational tools open a vast potential for new scientific discovery, with the ultimate goal of understanding and modeling living systems. Essentially then, bioinformatics entails the creation and advancement of databases, algorithms, computational and statistical techniques and theory to solve formal and practical problems arising from the management and analysis of biological data.

The first of its kind in Canada to provide 12 months of concentrated training that results in a post-degree bioinformatics certificate for students with existing software backgrounds, the Bioinformatics for Software Professionals program is reliable and reputable. During the application progress, students must submit an official transcript demonstrating proof of successful completion of a four-year degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering or related discipline, from an accredited college or university. They are also expected to submit a resume.

Bioinformatics courses within the program are intensive, hands-on and problem-based. They include course work, an individual research thesis and are delivered using leading-edge technology geared to industry standards and project-based learning. Faculty members are knowledgeable and approachable with diverse business experience and academic credentials.

Specific bioinformatics courses within the program include: Bioinformatics Tools, Databases & Models (students explore the current biological data types and existing array of biological databases); Molecular Biology and Genomics (students are introduced to the exciting field of molecular biology through an analysis of its origins, exploration of its key concepts, and an investigation into its future potential); Parallel and Distributed Computing (students examine parallel and distributed computing architectures, algorithms, software, and applications in relation to bioinformatics); and many others.

To balance their on-campus learning, students take part in a one-semester paid co-op experience. In order to participate in the co-op component, students must obtain a minimum GPA 2.5 or above in their bioinformatics courses. Co-op lets students explore their career interests so they have a better idea of what type of job they want to pursue when they graduate.

Demand actually exceeds supply in this field, ensuring that graduates of bioinformatics courses will enjoy a meaningful career. Employment in bioinformatics is found at research centers, universities, private companies and government institutions. However, skills in bioinformatics can also be utilized in the pharmaceutical, agricultural and environmental industries and in all areas of biotechnology.