Train with Generic Tools in the Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship

"What I would like students to come in knowing what they want to do for a living," says David Weatherhead coordinator and instructor in the Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship Canadian Tire MAP 32 at Centennial College. "If they know that they want to be automotive service technicians and they want to work for a Canadian company that's progressive and has lots of business and opportunities across the country, that's about the best things they can do. Ideally, I'd like them to be working with a Canadian Tire store. However, that's not a necessity." In addition, students applying to this undertaking must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or GED or equivalent. For this automotive service technician 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.

"What makes this program unique is that it's sponsored by Canadian Tire which gives us tools and equipment. Because they're not automotive manufacturers they don't give us vehicles or anything like that but tools and equipment and all of the resources they have to train the people in all the stores across the country," Weatherhead says of the unique one-year automotive service technician training collaboration with Canadian Tire and its Associate Dealers, which employ 58,000 people and have 482 stores from coast-to-coast. "Apprenticeship programs are so different from post-secondary programs in the fact that they're very focused on a curriculum that is province-wide. It satisfies everyone at every level to be able to say they are getting what they need to be a licensed technician."

The in-school portion of the automotive service technician apprenticeship is facilitated from Ashtonbee Campus, which is a fully-equipped transportation training centre. It is actually the biggest training centre of its sort in Ontario. During this time, students attend classes such as: Work Practices and Procedures, Engine Systems, Drivetrain Systems, Steering, Suspension & Brake Systems; Electrical, Electronics & Fuel Systems and more.

Meanwhile, the four offered weeks of on the job training gives students the opportunity to face real life scenarios, apply what they have learned, network and gain insight into the industry from seasoned professionals.

Canadian Tire offers customers a large selection of national and retail brands through three specialty categories in which the organization is the market leader — automotive parts, accessories and service; sports and leisure products; and home products. Also offered are automotive services such as engines fixes, brake changes, windshield wipers and fluid level checks, and muffler, hose, belt and plug replacements. Essentially, if a repair is needed, it's up to Canadian Tire technicians who have attended an automotive service technician apprenticeship to find a way to get it done.

Centennial College: Canadian Tire MAP32 Program

Centennial College is One of Toronto's Standout Community Colleges

Reputation is one of the things to look at when deciding between community colleges. If you want to attend an institution that can lay claim to being the first community college in the province of Ontario, your only choice is Centennial College. Located in the east end of Toronto, the college has four centrally located campuses that are easily accessible by public transportation or vehicle.

One of the unique things about this community college is that each campus caters to a different School of study. This allows the campuses to be fully-equipped with exactly what is needed for students to learn academically and participate in practical exercises that result in them heading into their chosen field with hands-on experience. For example, Ashtonbee Campus primarily houses programs from the School of Transportation. It is the largest transportation training centre in Ontario and boasts fully-equipped labs that contain donated cars, car parts and tools on which students in programs and apprenticeships such as Alignment and Brake Technician, Autobody Repair Techniques, Transmission Technician, Heavy Duty Equipment Technician, and even Motorcycle Technician practice. In addition, there is an airplane hangar for students of this community college’s aviation programs. Meanwhile, at the Centre of Creation Communications, students will find in-house TV studios, art studios, large creative space and more so that they may be able to complete creativity-based programs such as Digital Animation, Magazine and Book Publishing, Journalism, Fine Arts Studio, Marketing and Children’s Entertainment. Another Centennial College campus is Morningside. Nestled in the Rouge Valley Conservation Area, the Morningside campus is an environmentally friendly building home to the School of Health Studies, as well as selected Engineering Technology and Applied Science programs. It, therefore, is equipped with high-tech computer labs, simulated health clinics, hospital set-ups, beauty salons and more for students in programs such as Nursing, Esthetician, Paramedic, Computer and Communications Networking, Medical Robotics and Animation and more. The final, and largest, campus of this community college is Progress Campus, from which many of Centennial College’s business programs are taught. It is also the site from which the Hospitality School conducts its training. The Hospitality School has teaching facilities such as a fully functioning restaurant and conference centre. Specific programs conducted out of this campus include: Accounting, Contact Centre Operations, Human Resources, Event Management – Festival and Conferences, Cultural Heritage and Site Management and more.

In total, Centennial College offers more than 95 diploma and certificate programs on a full-time and Continuing Education basis, which are career oriented. These career-oriented programs emphasize practical experience with laboratory learning, industry and agency placements, as well as co-op education. The community college supports enrollments of 14,400 full-time students and 28,000 in Continuing Education, which offers 160 programs with over 1,200 courses and with discussion-oriented classrooms, experience 97 per cent learner satisfaction.

Attend One of Canadas Reliable Pharmacy Technician Programs at Centennial College

Due to the challenging nature of the pharmacy technician profession, professionals in the field must have strong critical thinking, mathematical and English communication skills, and a commitment to self-directed thinking. While applicants to Centennial College’s pharmacy technician program should possess these skills, they stand to develop many others, such as: knowledge of pharmacology and unparalleled skills in aseptic technique, pharmaceutical calculations, compounding, inventory control, community and institution dispensing.

Centennial College’s program takes just two years to complete, results in an Ontario College Diploma and incorporates classroom, lab work and four field placements that total 350 hours. Those interested in applying for admission must possess an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, applicants to the pharmacy technician program must have the compulsory English 12C or U credit or skills assessment, or equivalent; the Math 11M or U or 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent; 11C, or U or 12C, or U, chemistry, physics or biology, or skills assessment, or equivalent.

The Centennial College offering prepares students to meet the strict vocational outcomes and elements of performance for Pharmacy Technicians approved by the Ministry of Education through pharmacy technician course such as: Community Pharmacy Computers, Pharmaceutical Calculations, Community Dispensing Practice, Home Health Care and Non-Prescription Products, Anatomy and Physiology, Aseptic Technique Principles and many others. In addition to these courses, which consist of lectures and hands-on learning, students participate in work experience within community, hospital and corporate environments. During this time they apply what they have learned and gain new knowledge from the professionals with whom they work.

Students of this pharmacy technician program are also eligible to write The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada qualifying exam for pharmacy technicians in pursuit of the RPhT (Registered Pharmacy Technician) designation. The program is accredited with the Canadian Council of Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs.

Upon graduation, students can: communicate effectively with patients, pharmacists, other colleagues and with healthcare providers within the scope of the profession; receive and prioritize written prescriptions and verbal requests accurately in compliance with legislation and established standards, policies and procedures; dispense pharmaceutical products accurately, efficiently and in compliance with legislation and established standards, policies and procedures; and release pharmaceutical products in compliance with legislation and established standards, policies and procedures. Their duties include: preparing, dispensing and compounding medications; receiving, ordering and managing inventory; interacting with patients and a variety of health care providers; and assisting in the provision of pharmaceutical care and pharmacy services. Based on graduate employment surveys, the average starting salary for Centennial pharmacy technician program graduates is in the range of $34,500. Centennial’s program boasts an excellent graduate employment rate of 96 per cent.

Centennial College’s pharmacy technician program provides hands-on practice, lectures and a real life experience via a field placement, writes Jason. He also details the expected outcomes for students who attend this offering.

Centennial Colleges Motorcycle Technician Training Combines In-School Sessions and Time with an Employer

Everywhere you look today, you’re bound to see a variety of motorcycles — ranging from large cruisers (think Harley Davidson) to sports bikes (think Kawasaki). These bikes encounter an assortment of problems — whether electronic or electrical. Before taking a motorcycle on the road, it is vital that it is inspected to ensure that there are no problems. And if it does encounter a problem, it is important to get it fixed right away. The people who work on these problems have the appropriate motorcycle technician training to fix everything from electric mopeds and motor scooters to dirt bikes and cruisers. With 100,000 motorbikes registered in Ontario alone, there is a need for trained professionals.

Motorcycle technician training can be obtained at post-secondary institutions such as Centennial College in Toronto, Ont. This particular program accepts students during two intake periods in August and October. Within the undertaking, there are three training periods of 1,800 hours with an employer and 2 eight-week college sessions. Roy King, an instructor in the program, explains how registration works: “In order to enter the program, you must have a job at a motorcycle dealer. It is a restricted trade in the sense that in order to work on the products, you have to be licensed or be a registered apprentice. You’ll go through a certain amount of time (roughly three years) for an apprenticeship. And within that apprenticeship, on the job you’ll then be scheduled in by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities into one of our two sessions of the in-school portion of your apprenticeship.” In addition, students must have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. For more information on the motorcycle technician training application process, check out the admission section on Centennial College’s site.

Once in the program, students will study out of the largest transportation training centre in the province, Ashtonbee Campus. The training centre includes fully equipped labs in which students work on actual motorcycles during the two eight-week college sessions. In addition, they have access to all of the tools that are commonly used in the field. As part of the motorcycle technician school training, students attend lectures presented by experts who have years of experience in the field. These experts not only guide students but also share personal experiences to enhance the motorcycle technician training. Topics include: engines, power trains, electrical systems, fuel systems and more. During the in-school motorcycle technician training, students may be able to qualify for income support through Employment Insurance Canada benefits or a training allowance. Once in-school sessions and on the job requirements are completed, students write a certificate to become a licensed motorcycle technician.

Upon graduation, graduates are able work at automotive or motorcycle repair shops, service stations, motorcycle manufacturing companies or dealers. At these various places they diagnose, repair and service electronic and electrical systems of motorbikes. Specifically these techs: repair or replace parts, rewire ignition systems, realign breaks and replace shock absorbers, mend damaged bodies or fenders.

Jason is the author of this piece about motorcycle technician training at Centennial College. During the program, there are three training periods of 1,800 hours with an employer and 2 eight-week college sessions.

Law Clerk Diploma Proves Valuable in the Legal Field

"This program is a two-year, four-semester program,” says Patty-Ann Sullivan, coordinator of the Law Clerk diploma undertaking at Centennial College. "They are taught the theory of the law. They also do a lot of hands-on application of the theory. So what we do, for example, in Family Law is I have them filling in divorce documents. In Real Estate, they actually work in the lab with the real estate legal software they are going to be using when they are working in the workplace. Throughout the entire program, they are learning the law and then applying the law. Our faculty members work with the students and meet with them individually to put together a wish list of what they would like to do for their work placement — whether it’s working for a law firm or a corporation or the government or in a courtroom setting. Our faculty then contacts the various employers, arranges the interview and the students are then working for the entire 15-week semester, four days a week.”

Patty-Ann provides a wonderful overview of this Law Clerk program. Let’s take a look at some of its specific details. First and foremost, those who wish to apply must have completed an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, they must have completed 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. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission.

The Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario accredits the Law Clerk program, which results in an Ontario College Diploma. During the four semesters students spend at Centennial College, emphasis is placed on practical, career-oriented assignments. In addition, a wide variety of law courses, in conjunction with computer legal software courses, fully prepares students for employment in the legal profession. Specific courses within the Law Clerk offering include: Current Issues in Canadian Law (students gain an understanding of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Ontario court system, as well as an introduction to torts, contracts, sale of goods and consumer protection law, employment law and property law); Corporate Law (teaches students the laws and procedures for incorporation, maintaining corporations, and commercial searches and registration); Legal Research and Writing (students learn the basic steps required to carry out both legal and factual research); and more.

As Patty-Ann mentioned, another major component of this Law Clerk diploma undertaking is the work placement. This feature allows students to work alongside seasoned law clerks applying what they have learned and gaining new knowledge while networking.


In order to graduate and become a law clerk, students must achieve an overall minimum GPA of 2.0, a minimum C grade average, a minimum C grade in COMM-170 and a minimum keyboarding speed of 40 words per minute. Upon graduation from the Law Clerk program, most begin their careers by applying for judicial clerkships.

Jason writes of the Law Clerk diploma undertaking at Centennial College, which balances courses such as Current Issues in Canadian Law, Corporate Law, and Legal Research and Writing with a work placement.

Centennial Colleges Journalism Program Offers Training for Newspapers, Magazines, the Internet and More!

"The journalism program is very hands-on," says Shawn Bailey, a graduate of Centennial College’s journalism program. "We get to experience so many different things having to do with journalism such as creating and writing for our own community newspaper, The Observer. There are other aspects like TV, radio, online. I chose Centennial College because being in college is very hands-on and I didn’t want to learn from books. I wanted to learn from doing."

Shawn has done an excellent job of demonstrating the appealing aspects of this journalism program but let’s take a closer look. The three-year Journalism program is designed for high school graduates. It will prepare them for a career by taking them from the classroom to a newsroom. In this program students: apply skills in a newsroom writing for a community newspaper and an online publication; cover a variety of topics while developing the critical foundation skills they’ll need for a career as a reporter, editor or broadcaster and beyond; develop new multi-platform and online skills for the evolving world of news reporting; and more.

Specific courses include: Reporting (offers instruction and practice in multi-media writing disciplines, primarily from the perspective of newspaper and online articles and media presentations); Journalism Law and Ethics (students learn how to avoid such journalistic legal problems as libel and contempt of court, and to develop strategies for dealing with ethical challenges when they arise); Copy Editing (emphasis is placed on efficiently correcting both factual and stylistic errors, as well as generating appropriate headlines and photo cutlines); and many others.

In their final semester of the journalism program, students spend 15 weeks in a full-time placement, working alongside professional staff in a commercial media outlet or communications agency. To qualify for placement, a student must have passed every course required in previous semesters. In arranging placement matches, faculty will take into account the student’s aptitudes and career goals.

To apply for Centennial’s journalism program, students must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission. There is also a compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent requirement. During the admission process, students must complete an editing test and a current affairs questionnaire and write a short essay (topic provided). English will also be considered in the admissions process for journalism school.

Qualified graduates 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. Centennial College’s journalism partner is Athabasca University, where students can obtain a Professional Arts degree (Communication Studies).

Students can also earn a journalism diploma from Centennial while working on a four-year honours degree from the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC). After applying through U of T, successful candidates will spend two years at the university and then enter Centennial’s fast-track program. In four years, they will have earned a diploma and degree.

Klaudia is the author of this article about the journalism program that is offered at Centennial College, which includes courses such as Reporting, Copy Editing, Journalism Law and Ethics, and others.

Paramedic Training Gets You Into The Field in Just Two years

If numbers speak for themselves then the Centennial College Paramedic training program is screaming: success! Over the past several years, 96 per cent of the school’s graduates were employed as Primary Care Paramedics (PCP). In addition, graduates of the undertaking are eligible and prepared to take the Ministry of Health exam for Advanced EMCA. They have consistently scored above the provincial average on the Advanced EMCA certification exam. Ministry regulations require this certification for employment as a paramedic in Ontario.

Taking just two years to complete, the Paramedic program has an excellent reputation in the field. This is for a few reasons. First and foremost, to enhance student performance and confidence, courses provide an equal balance between classroom, clinical, field and practical learning in emergency simulations. For their hands-on training, students use simulated lab scenarios, field placement and real life experience to develop professional expertise. However, most courses also provide theoretical and practical testing components. Faculty members who have training in the paramedic field teach these courses. Specific topics covered within the paramedic program include: Therapeutic Communications and Crisis Intervention (focuses on the utilization of effective communication tools when dealing with persons in crisis); Pharmacology for Allied Health (classifications of drugs is discussed in an organized manner according to characteristics, purpose, physiologic action, adverse effects, precautions, interactions and prehospital applications); PCP Integration and Critical Decision Marking (students are challenged with increasingly complex decisions involving life-threatening situations, ethical-legal dilemmas, and the application of sound foundational principles and knowledge of pharmacology, pathophysiology, communication, assessment and therapeutic interventions); and more.

Those interested in applying for the Paramedic program must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. The applicant must also possess compulsory English 12C or U or equivalent, math 11M or U, or 12C or U or equivalent, Biology 11C or U, or 12 U or equivalent; and one of the following sciences: chemistry 11U, or 12C or U or physics 11U or 12C or U. There are also medical requirements such as a medical doctor’s statement, certifying a standard of health that is acceptable to Centennial College, clinical and affiliated EMS agencies. Applicants must also not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude (clear vulnerable persons police background record searches are completed throughout the program); hold a Class “F” license, which is required for employment in Ontario (but not for program admission); complete a CPR Level HCP course (Health Care Provider) and standard first aid certification. For complete details on the requirements of this undertaking, visit Centennial’s Paramedic program admission page.

Emma details the aspects of Centennial College’s Paramedic program that make it respected in the field, including: a balance of theory and practical practice as well preparation for all testing required to enter the field.

Practical Nursing-A Respected Medical Field

Practicing in a professional manner within a legislative and ethical framework; developing and sustaining therapeutic relationships with clients; communicating effectively with clients, healthcare team members and others; participating effectively as team members to support clients’ achievement of their expected health outcomes; and integrating theory, principles and concepts into competent nursing practice are some of the skills students walk away with from Centennial College’s practical nursing program.

This respected undertaking prepares students to work at hospitals, long-term care facilities and community settings by offering a curriculum based on the College of Nurses’ Standards of Practice and Entry to Practice Competencies (2009) for Ontario Registered Practical Nurse Students. To apply, applicants must have completed, at minimum, an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Meanwhile, academic requirements include: compulsory English 12C or U or equivalent, Math 11M or U, or 12C or U, or equivalent, Biology 11C, or U, or 12C, or U, or equivalent and one of the following sciences chemistry or physics 11U, or 12C, or U, or equivalent. In addition, non-academic requirements are as follows: English proficiency, official transcripts of upgraded courses (if required), Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR), where applicable; Canadian citizenship, permanent residence of Canada or authorization under the Immigration Act (Canada); no criminal convictions including those under the Narcotic Control or Food and Drugs Acts; no subject of proceedings, with respect to professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity in another health profession in Ontario, or in nursing in another jurisdiction; no suffering from a mental or physical disorder that makes it desirable in the public interest that you not practice; annual clear vulnerable police check prior to clinical placement, a completed immunization review form; successful completion of a current recognized course in CPR Level HCP (Health Care Provider) and standard first aid and a mask fit testing.

Once students have met the requirements of the practical nursing program, they will study for two years to obtain an Ontario College Diploma. During that time, nursing students have access to a range of knowledgeable, highly-regarded and experienced faculty members, well-equipped labs (including an interactive simulation lab), academic and personal counselling, on-campus activities and free tutoring. Small group instruction in the clinical and laboratory settings utilizes the latest technology, such as computerized simulation. Meanwhile, classroom instruction is supplemented by independent study, multimedia support and on-going clinical experience.

Graduates may pursue further study in Centennial Continuing Education programs: RPN - Perioperative Nursing or RPN - Advanced Mental Health. They may also pursue further study a Bachelor of Science in Nursing through Centennial’s innovative Bridging program

Upon graduation, duties of those in practical nursing include: providing both comfort and emotional support, offering basic bedside care, administering medications, completing charts, checking vital signs and keeping track of intravenous therapy. The Canadian Nurses Association predicts that this year, there will be a severe shortage of nurses. This shortage could mean that from 59,000 to 113,000 nurses will be needed.

Emma wrote this article. She notes that Centennial College offers students the training they need to become practical nurses. Instructors in the practical nursing program all have experience in the field, which is highly beneficial to students.

Enter an Event Management College Program and Benefit from Unique Aspects

“This program is one where we take students with diplomas or degrees and specialize them in the development of festivals and event management, which is very unique in Centennial and in the college community,” says Bob Dallas, a faculty member in the event management college program (officially known as Event Management – Festival and Conference) at Centennial College in Toronto, Ont. “The academic portion is very traditional. The practical application is very unique. We’re actually probably the largest conference facility in the province of this type. We just finished great renovations. Now, we’re a full-service conference facility. We have started to branch out and do a lot more off-site events and get more actively involved in the community.”


While Bob gives an excellent overview of some of the standout features of this event management college undertaking, let’s take a closer look at specifics. First and foremost, as Bob mentioned, this is a post-graduate offering. That means, applicants must submit an official transcript, demonstrating proof of successful completion of a post-secondary diploma or degree program. Centennial College’s event management program will also consider applicants presenting a combination of partial post-secondary education and relevant work experience, open to all disciplines. Non-academic perquisites include proof of transcript and a resume review.


Taking just two semesters to complete, students are taught a number of skills that are crucial to establishing a long-lasting career in the festival and conference event management field. First and foremost, students are able to develop and implement financial initiatives based on event objectives through methods such as sponsorship programs and fundraising initiatives. This goes hand-in-hand with the ability they will have to plan, design and coordinate effective site and facility operations while applying the principles of marketing to festivals, events and conferences. Speaking of applying, students of the Centennial College event management college undertaking will have the know-how to apply: strategies for effective human resource management, effective programming for events; accounting and financial knowledge and skills to the operation of events; business administration skills to the operation of events; and the principles of professionalism and ethics to event management.


These skills are achieved through a variety of courses that range from Event Marketing-Festival and Conference, Volunteer & Team Building Coordination, Sponsorship Development and Event Budgeting to Risk & Security Management, Creativity and Innovation, Communications and Media Planning, and more.


Once they have graduated from this respected event management college offering, students enter an exciting and rapidly growing industry. In fact, festivals, events and conferences are a major catalyst for tourism worldwide as evidenced by the membership making up the local, national and global markets. This sector employed 380,000 workers in 2006 and is projected to produce 121,000 new jobs by 2015.