Ford Technician Training Gives Students Solid Practical Experience

There are certain fields that require you to be fully comfortable and have experience prior to moving into your desired position. For those who are interested in becoming Ford technicians, the first step is to be employed by a Ford Motor Company of Canada Ltd. Dealership. The second step is to take a post-secondary Ford Technician training, such as the program offered at Centennial College, which, aside from Ford employment, required applicants to have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or a General Education Diploma or equivalent. If, however, an applicant is not employed but is accepted, he or she must obtain an employer and then register as a MAP apprentice with the Apprenticeship Branch of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Acceptance is based on successful completion of all entry requirements. Limited space is available in each program.

Once accepted into this Ford Technician training — officially known as the Automotive Service Technician Ford Company of Canada Limited Asset (MAP 32) Apprenticeship — students spend 32 weeks on campus and 32 weeks with their employer. Every four weeks, students alternate between the two so that they may apply what they just learned to real life situations, gain new knowledge and then take on more advanced topics.

While partaking in the on-campus aspects of Ford technician training, students gain more in-depth experience than that of a traditional apprenticeship. During this time, they obtain knowledge of the latest Ford technology, which includes electronics, transmission, engines, air conditioning, supplemental restraint systems and the diagnosing of vehicle management systems. Additionally, this program includes Ford specialties that, in the past, students had to attend Ford school to learn. Among these specialties: engines, electrical, brakes and climate control. It is worth noting that students may be eligible for employment insurance during the in-class training.

This in-school portion of the Ford technician training sees students based at Centennial College’s Ashtonbee Campus. This particular location houses all of the School of Transportation programs and its facilities make up the largest transportation training centre in the province of Ontario. As such, students practice in fully-equipped labs, on actual Ford vehicles and Ford vehicle parts that have been donated to the school.

As previously mentioned, these future Ford technicians also experience real-life scenarios prior to completion of the program, which results in an Ontario College Certificate. At the Ford dealer, they are compensated for their work, which may include duties such as: writing vehicle damage repair estimates, repairing broken or worn mechanical components, maintaining repair and service records, installing equipment, components and systems, testing vehicles both before and after repair, and repairing electrical wiring, circuits and fixtures.

Mechanical Engineering Program Focuses on Practical Application

Becoming comfortable with what you learn within your Mechanical Engineering program is just as important as the topics covered. That’s why Centennial College’s Mechanical Engineering Technology – Industrial (PTY) offering focuses on offering students theory and labs, projects and a co-op option. As a result, there is a 60-40 balance of theory and practice. Those interested in a long-lasting career in the manufacture and production of mechanical equipment should consider this mechanical engineering program.

The first step to gaining the Ontario College Advanced Diploma that result upon completion of this program’s two year’s worth of mechanical engineering courses is applying. To do so, applicants must possess at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older). In addition, they are required to have completed English Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent, or skills assessment; and Math Grade 11 M or U or Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent, or skills assessment.

The project approach to mechanical engineering courses simulates actual workplace assignments and includes two individual projects, which give students practical experience in designing, building and testing an original piece of equipment. Helping students to fully experience the benefits of the project approach to Centennial College’s mechanical engineering courses is Progress Campus. This location houses a new mechanical engineering lab that includes: Thermodynamic Fluid Power testing modules, and Tensile, Hardness and Impact Testers. In these labs, students become comfortable with machine shop operation, tool design, plus computer numerical control programming, designing, as well as building and testing an original piece of equipment. In addition, they learn essential computer-assisted drafting and manufacturing (CAD/ CAM), as well as industry-current software instruction in AutoCAD, Inventor and Mastercam. All of this learning begins with mechanical engineering courses that offer a foundation in basic engineering skills and science before moving onto more specific and advanced topics relating to modern manufacturing and production processes.

As previously mentioned, there is also a co-op component to the Mechanical Engineering program. Qualified students enhance their education by working three terms as paid employees in the field. This experience not only allows them to put classroom learning into practice, but also provides valuable networking opportunities for future careers. Please note that a minimum C grade required in COMM-170/171, minimum 2.5 GPA and minimum 80 percent of year 1 and 2 courses are required for COOP-221.

Completion of the Mechanical Engineering program sees students prepared for positions such as: supervisor (which offers additional opportunities), junior engineer, assistant to professional engineers, lab technician, quality control, CAD operator, technical sales and marketing, production control, and product design and development. Among the graduates’ knowledge is the ability to: develop quality control systems, assist in plant expansions and layouts, conduct time and motion studies, plan and schedule new facilities and prepare job safety programs and manuals.

Well Rounded Business Marketing Training

What is taught in a Business Marketing training offering is just as important as who is teaching it and the facilities to which students have access during their time in the post-secondary program. At Centennial College’s Business Marketing program (officially known as Business Administration – Marketing), students study at the institution’s largest campus, which also houses other School of Business offerings. This is important as it allows for peer networking as well as conversations with professionals who teach in a variety of programs. Additionally, students benefit from a dynamic and interactive environment that is facilitated by experienced faculty members who encourage learning through case studies, guest lectures, presentations, projects, and computer simulations and technologies.

As for the Business Marketing training curriculum, it takes three years to complete and offers a balance between broad-based business education and marketing know-how. The specialized marketing training includes marketing research, marketing communications (which includes advertising and promotion), interactive marketing (which includes direct marketing, e-marketing and customer relationship management) and brand planning. How does this structure work? A common first-year curriculum among most Centennial business programs provides students with the opportunity to obtain an overview of business prior to specializing in a specific area. Students then move onto the more focused business marketing, which not only involves the previously mentioned learning techniques and topics but also a practical experience through its industry project component. During this aspect, students work in teams on projects sponsored by an entrepreneurial endeavour, small business or major company.

It is also worth noting that Business Marketing program students in Canada have the opportunity to obtain membership privileges with the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA). Lastly, Centennial is a proud sponsor of selected marketing students in national and province-wide academic competitions, including the Ontario Colleges Marketing Competition (OCMC), BDC and CMA competitions.

Applicants to this Business Marketing training are required to possess at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older). They must also have completed the English Grade 12 C or U or equivalent, or skills assessment and Math Grade 11 C, M or U, or Grade 12 C or U or equivalent or skills assessment.

Once they complete the program, students may pursue positions such as: Marketing Coordinator, Marketing Analyst, Promotions Assistant, Sales Representative, Assistant Brand Manager, Public Relations Assistant and Advertising Assistant. In various ways, these professionals manage the many links between an organization and its customers. However, those who are interested in further studies have the option to do so though articulated programs with selected universities, institutes and professional associations. These partnerships allow students to apply credits earned at Centennial towards further study at other institutions. Partners of this Business Marketing program in Centennial College include: Athabasca University, Algoma University, Royal Roads University, Ryerson University, Davenport University, Northwood University, University of Lethbridge, Griffith University and University of New Brunswick.

Truck and Coach Technician Co op Takes Two Years to Complete

A Truck and Coach Technician has a multitude of responsibilities in the automotive industry, dealing specifically with motor coaches, heavy trucks and truck trailers. Among these duties are: testing systems and components using computerized diagnostic and other testing devices to diagnose and isolate faults; adjusting, repairing or replacing parts and components of truck and bus systems including fuel, brake, steering and suspension, engine and drive train, emission control and exhaust, cooling and climate control, and electrical and electronic systems using hand tools and other specialized automotive repair equipment; performing scheduled maintenance service, such as oil changes, lubrications and tune-ups; and more.

At Centennial College, those interested in this field can obtain an Ontario College Diploma and meet the qualifications needed to enter the field through the Truck and Coach Co-op Apprenticeship. Those interested in this offering must have completed an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or General Educational Development (GED) or equivalent. In addition, they must have the English 12 C or U credit or equivalent or skills assessment. Lastly, students may also be required to present a resume and questionnaire that describes their experience and aptitude. Successful applicants must be eligible to work in Ontario and have an Ontario driver’s license. Please note that the students in this program are already working in the field when they attend.

Once they have been accepted to the Truck and Coach Technician offering, students have two choices in how they meet the requirements to graduate. The first is called day-release. In this format, students spend one day of the five-day working week on campus. They do this for 32 weeks through the school year, experiencing between a six and eight hour school day during that time. The second training option for Truck and Coach Technician program completion is block release. Students who opt for this format attend apprenticeship schooling three times for three advancing phases.

Whether they choose day release or block release, all Centennial College Truck and Coach Technician students experience a combined in-school delivery of theory and practical (lab) lessons. Among the specific auto mechanic courses are Engine Systems, Brake Systems, Electrical Systems, Fuel Systems, Truck and Coach Logistics, Preventative Maintenance, and more, which are presented in advancing stages.

Additionally, while on campus, Truck and Coach Technician students in Canada learn about applied mechanics, vehicle dynamics as well as component design and repair as it applies to the apprenticeship curriculum. Lastly, students benefit from learning about the business aspects of the Truck and Coach Technician field through topics such as organizational behaviour, trade practices and fixed operations management. What makes Centennial College’s auto mechanic courses special is that they are conducted from Ashtonbee Campus. This location houses the province’s largest transportation training centre and students obtain hands-on practice on truck and coach assemblies in fully equipped labs. With the knowledge they obtain in their Truck Technician Training, students can confidently head out to their co-op placement to apply what they have learned, gain new knowledge, network and learn to deal with a wide range of customers.

Kitchen Management Courses Offer Quick Entry Into Thriving Field

“The program is a great master plan for those who want to pursue a career in this industry,” says Severo Vitorio Pastor who attended Centennial College’s kitchen management courses. “Each subject truly equips us with the knowledge, skills and experiences that we need to become successful in our field.” This positive insight gives a great overall view of the hospitality program officially known as Hospitality Operations – Kitchen Management. That’s because Pastor touches on the three aspects that set the offering apart from others of its nature: knowledge, skills and experience. Let’s take a further look into all three.

First and foremost, applicants to these kitchen management courses are required to have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Students must also have attended the compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment or equivalent. It should be noted that possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the hospitality program.

The hospitality program is structured in a way that ensures students learn a range of skill sets that prepares them for a challenging and rewarding career in food operations management. Among the topics covered in the kitchen management courses are: business practices in accounting, human resources and supervision, sanitation, hygiene and safety as well as quantity food preparation, practical supervision of food production, customer service, human resources and career planning, hospitality accounting, practical math, purchasing for the commercial kitchen and many others.

While theory is an important aspect of this hospitality program in Canada so is hands-on experience that allows students to become fully comfortable with duties they will perform in the field. As such, the program makes use of the campus on which it is located. Progress Campus boasts an on-campus living lab-restaurant called Horizons. Here, once a week, students run the kitchen and interact with real diners and customers. They are graded on how well they do in this role.

As a final “real world” experience, the hospitality program students are sent out on a field placement that enables them to better understand the dynamics of the industry, increases their knowledge of industry practices and provides a competitive advantage of experience in the job market.

Upon completion of the kitchen management courses — which result in an Ontario College Certificate, and the Smart Serve Program and the National Sanitation Training certificates — students who are interested in further education are able to enter the second year of Centennial College’s two-year Food and Beverage Management program. Those who wish to enter field may also do so in the position of food operations manager, which entails planning work programs, staffing for cash food service, interviewing and hiring employees, training employees, reviewing inventory, requesting and purchasing food supplies, planning menus and price points, supervising operations, observing quality of service and more.

Hospitality Management Prepares You For Fast Paced Work Environment

When choosing a Hospitality Management program with a focus on restaurant, catering and menu management, you want to ensure that you are enrolling in training that will balance theoretical and practical learning. That’s because the restaurant business is a quick-paced one that requires managers to think and act on the go. Just think, restaurant operations managers work 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 variety of duties that include financial record keeping and hiring, handling and firing employees.

At Centennial College, students of the Hospitality Management program (officially known as Hospitality Management – Restaurant and Catering) have the benefit of courses taught by professionals that incorporate hands-on learning, a campus fully equipped to offer them opportunities for practical application and real-life work experiences prior to graduation. To apply to Hospitality Management applicants must possess, at minimum, an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or have mature student status (19 years or older). In addition, they must have finished the English Grade 12 C or U or equivalent, or skills assessment.

Once accepted, students study from Centennial College’s Progress Campus, which houses all of the School of Hospitality and Tourism’s programs. As such, students have the advantage of facilities that include a hospitality management centre and real restaurant called Horizons. This “living lab” allows students to interact with real customers, run the kitchen, carry out menu management in Canada and apply what they have learned in class. Speaking of which, the Hospitality Management program’s curriculum teaches students skills that are essential to this segment of the industry, including menu management and design, kitchen management, beverage knowledge and bartending. These skills are taught through training that includes business practices in accounting, purchasing, human resources, supervision and cost control.

To ensure that students have an opportunity to apply what they have learned, they partake in two field placements. The first field placement allows them to better understand the dynamics of the kitchen manager position, increase their knowledge of industry practices and provides a competitive advantage of experience in the job market. The second Hospitality Management field placement (15 weeks, 240 hours in total) provides students with a continued learning experience, this time in the restaurant and catering manager positions. Among the Hospitality Management program’s industry partners are: Swiss Chalet, Kelsey’s, Milestones, Red Lobster, The Keg, Jack Astor’s, Canyon Creek and more. 

Upon completion of the Hospitality Management program, students obtain an Ontario College Diploma as well as certifications that include the Smart Serve program and the National Sanitation Training certificate. Should they wish, students may pursue further education though the programs educational partnerships that allow them to apply academic credit towards further study. Partnership schools include: Athabasca University, International Hotel Management Institute (Switzerland), Vancouver Island University, University of New Brunswick and Royal Roads University (B.C.).

Hospitality and Tourism Administration Offers Various Career Options

Did you know that just by attending one Hospitality and Tourism Administration offering, you will be able to obtain jobs in areas as wide ranging as: hotel and restaurant general management, human resources management, sales and marketing management, convention services coordination and tour coordination, food and beverage management, housekeeping management and hotel financial management?

Additionally by attending this offering at Centennial College, students may be hired by reputable organizations such as Delta Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotel Group and more. As such, in just three years, students enter a tourism industry that boasts revenue in excess of $61.4-billion from 60,000 different companies that employ more than 1.66-million Canadians coast-to-coast.

However, these aren’t the only options allotted to Centennial College Tourism and Hospitality Administration in Toronto students. Qualified graduates who have an interest in pursuing further education may so do through articulated programs with selected universities, institutes and professional associations. These partnerships allow graduates to apply academic credit towards further study. The Hospitality and Tourism Administration’s partners are: Athabasca University, International Hotel Management Institute (Switzerland), Ryerson University, Southern New Hampshire University (U.S.A.), University of Calgary, University of New Brunswick, Vancouver Island University, University of Guelph and more. 

The basis of this Hospitality and Tourism Administration offering is to prepare students for the wide range of careers already mentioned. As such, students come to master a full range of business practices as they apply to the Hospitality and Tourism Administration field. These topics include marketing, human resources, finance and industry operations and are taught through a combination of theoretical lectures and hands-on practice at a full service hospitality management centre, an onsite conference centre and state-of-the-art computer labs. These facilities at located at the centrally located Ashtonbee Campus and allow students to learn by experiencing real life situations. Specific courses within the Hospitality and Tourism Administration program include: Theory of Food, Sanitation, Safety and Hygiene; Customer Relationship Management, Ontario Cultural & Heritage Tourism Product, Professional Communication and Report Writing for Hospitality Students, Groups and Incentives, Responsible Tourism, Hospitality & Tourism Law & Security; and more.

The combination of lectures and practical application during the Hospitality and Tourism Administration program prepares students for their four-day-per-week, 15-week field placement. This individualized industry internship is designed to provide a practical foundation for students’ careers while allowing them to network and gain new knowledge from the seasoned professionals with whom they work.

To apply for this Hospitality and Tourism Administration program, applicants must have completed an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older). They must also have obtained the English Grade 12 C or U or equivalent, or skills assessment.

Food and Nutrition Management Takes Two Years to Complete

Did you know that with just two years of training from the Centennial College Food and Nutrition Management program, you can obtain a job at reliable and well-known companies such as: Aramark, Extendicare, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Providence Healthcare Centre, Rouge Valley Health System, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Toronto East General Hospital, University Health Network and more? As such, students can apply at a range of workplaces such as: hospitals, seniors’ residences, nursing homes and extended care facilities. Other opportunities include high-volume catering services, industrial cafeterias, airline food services, food manufacturers and community agencies. That’s because as a student of Food and Nutrition Management program you are exposed to nutrition and food service, business and human relations. This is conducted through a balance of academic and hands-on learning.

In order to apply for this food service program in Centennial College, students are required to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, you must 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 accepted, students learn in an offering that has received the President’s Academic Program Recognition Award for Preparation for Job Market, Student Satisfaction, Graduate Satisfaction, Employer Satisfaction and Quality of The Learning Experience. Additionally, this Food and Nutrition Management program is the only two-year post-secondary Food and Nutrition Management program in the Greater Toronto Area. Accredited by the Canadian Society of Nutrition Management (CSNM), graduates are eligible for membership in the CSNM and the Ontario Society of Nutrition Management. CSNM membership is a requirement of the Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to work in a long-term care facility and most acute care facilities.

The training itself includes a combination of training that results in the ability to perform in accordance with the code of ethics; create master menus, and follow standardized recipes and production procedures; supervise the preparation of food products and special feedings, food distribution, and operation procedures according to standards and become well versed in sanitation. This is achieved through specific courses in this food service program include: Principles of Sanitation, Safety and Hygiene (students will study the requirements of sanitation, safety and hygiene as practiced in the health care food service industry); Food Properties Analysis (students will have an opportunity to develop basic skills in food preparation and presentation, physical and chemical changes that occur in food production and the role of food additives in the food industry); Nutrition (emphasis is placed on the study of the essential nutrients and their contribution to good health as well as the application of nutrition knowledge in assessment and planning); and more.

In addition, the final seven weeks of the program consist of supervised work experience in a health care facility the placement. During this time, students are able to apply what they have learned as well as gain more knowledge by working alongside industry professionals.

Upon graduation, Food and Nutrition Management professionals obtain titles in the field that include dietary managers, nutrition technicians, food and nutrition managers, food service coordinators and quality control technicians.

Firefighter Courses Help You Develop Skills in Various Areas

To become a firefighter, dedication is key right from the beginning when students attend a firefight program, such as Centennial College’s Pre-Service Firefighter Education And Training. As such, this offering has stringent admission requirements for applicants. Academically, students must have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Also required are compulsory English Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent and math Grade 11 or 12, C or U, or equivalent. Applicants must also be able to wear a breathing apparatus and are required to produce a medical certificate indicating ability to perform the duties of a firefighter. Applicants should be aware that a career with many municipal fire services may also require further qualifications, including the following: 20/30 vision in each eye without corrective lenses, satisfactory completion of a color vision assessment, normal and unaided hearing, no conviction for a criminal offence for which a pardon has not be granted and possession of a Class DZ driver’s license.

Once accepted to this firefighter program, students will discover an offering that is collaboration between Centennial College and Toronto Fire Services, which ensures that the know-how and practical knowledge obtained is relevant to the field. Additionally, the program is in accordance with the approved curriculum developed by the Ontario Association of the Fire Chiefs (OAFC) and the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM). Covered during the three semesters students spend in the firefighter courses at Centennial College are various topics such as: introduction to fire services, fire ground operations, emergency patient care, fire equipment, fitness, rescue operations, environmental protection, fire safety inspection and more.

Additionally, to round out firefighter courses, students have access to the training facilities at Toronto Fire Services and Centennial College’s state-of-the-art patient care lab. At these locations, students apply what they have learned and benefit from simulation training under the guidance of qualified instructors, while also enjoying ample time in smaller group-learning scenarios.

Successful completion of Centennial College’s firefight program gives students the skills and knowledge they need to write the Ontario Fire Marshal Provincial Testing. Among these skills are the ability to: demonstrate role performance in fire suppression, community education and fire prevention, firefighter emergency patient care, environmental protection and special rescue operations; use safe practices and techniques with fire department apparatus, tools and equipment; communicate effectively using verbal, non-verbal, written or electronic methods including recognized and appropriate fire service terminology; interact with others in a variety of emergency and non-emergency situations in a manner that demonstrates confidence, professionalism and sensitivity to others and to the situation; demonstrate respect when communicating effectively with diverse communities and their members; use effective and appropriate problem-solving and decision-making skills in emergency and non-emergency situations; work effectively with other members of the fire service team, pre-hospital emergency care providers and other emergency service-related groups to provide comprehensive service in emergency and non-emergency situations; and more.

English Communication Training Is Essential to Personal and Professional Success

Mastering the English language isn’t just essential to communicating with friends, family and anyone else in Canada. It is also vital to your success in the Canadian workplace. Whether you are working as an auto mechanic, a secretary, a graphic designer, a bus driver, an engineer or anything else, you will need reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. And if you’re looking for a solid foundation, you may want to consider attending Centennial College’s English communication training, which is officially known as Arts and Science – English for Academic Purposes.

This respected program takes into consideration busy schedules and even different levels of English knowledge through its three level options. With this English second language training structure, students are placed in Level 1, 2 or 3 based on the results of a diagnostic placement test. As a result, at the end of the third level, whether students have taken the first to third levels or just come in for the third level, they are given access to Centennial College academic programs and usually go into another School of study.

Courses within the English communication training are offered on a full-time basis and cover all aspects of English second language training in Canada. This has resulted in the offering being fully accredited by Languages Canada, Canada’s premier language organization as having met rigorous standards in terms of curriculum, teacher qualifications, student services and administration.

Among these specific English communication training courses are: Communicating in the Classroom (builds on a foundation of basic speaking skills to give students practice in presenting and participating in conventional classroom situations in a college environment); ESL Reading Techniques (prepares students to read with greater speed and fluency focusing on practical processing techniques such as following written instructions, scanning for information, identifying topics, main ideas and details, and using vocabulary comprehension strategies); Guided Writing in English (introduces students to the writing process. Students are given practice in a variety of grammatical and structural forms); and more.

All English communication training in this program features teaching tools such as communicative activities, practical exercises, group work, presentations, and assignments. Additionally, the program is facilitated from Ashtonbee Campus, which not only offers a variety of resources to support students, including, computer labs, the library, conversation practice groups and tutoring, but also houses community-based programs that allow peer-to-peer interaction.

English communication training applicants must have completed at least an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Second, there is a language skills assessment. It should be noted that 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.

Developmental Services Workers - Essential Workers of Society

Highly regarded by established professionals, graduates, families and agencies Centennial College’s Developmental Services Workers program allows graduates to go on to find careers as: educational assistants, employment support workers, family supporters, integration facilitators, and residential service workers. And while they are responsible for assisting people with intellectual and developmental delay with everything from getting dressed and eating to finding employment and housing, Developmental Services Workers also become their confidants and friends. The ultimate goal of the Developmental Services Workers’ job is to build natural community supports so clients may be productive members of their communities.

Centennial College’s program is taught in a way that ensures graduates are also able to: complete and maintain client history and background forms, participate in the development and implementation of individually-directed plans, support clients in developing relationships, manage medication, develop and apply crisis intervention strategies, be responsible for and promote a healthy lifestyle, and maintain a safe environment.

But how does the Developmental Services Workers program get students from novices to professionals in just two years? Most importantly, the undertaking provides a balance between theory and practical application. As such, students attend lectures and then head out on two field placements to apply what they have learned in real-world scenarios.

Centennial College’s Developmental Services Workers courses are made up of: lectures, projects, community observations, Internet searches and electronic communication. And aside from the learning essentials already mentioned, students also master: in-depth analysis and critical thinking, managing and affecting change, interpersonal communication and leadership skills as well as clarification of values. The program’s curriculum reflects current issues and developments, and boasts specific courses such as: Introduction to Disability, Developing a Vision, Social Psychology, Pharmacology, History of Disability, Teaching Skills, Policy and Social Welfare Systems, and more.

The Developmental Services Workers program’s field placements occur during the third and fourth semesters. The goal of the experience is to offer students an opportunity to design and implement plans or strategies to teach and support individuals and/or work with communities. Facilitation and leadership skills, community development and, positive imagining and competencies for holistic, personal well-being and community inclusion for clients are some of the areas they will pursue in this placement. 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.

Those interested in attending the Developmental Services Workers program must have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, they are required to have taken the 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.

Biotechnology Technician Offering Prepares Students for Various Industries

Biotechnology technicians (also known as bench technicians) play an essential role in various industries such as: food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, where they have the responsibility of assuring quality control in areas of manufacturing. A respected post-secondary program that teaches students the know-how for the field is Centennial College’s Biotechnology Technician – Industrial Microbiology, which is accredited by the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists and has met all of the academic requirements for certification in the Technician Category set out by the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists. These national accreditations support program quality and provide mobility for graduates. In addition, the biotechnology technician offering is a repeat recipient of the Centennial College President’s Academic Program Recognition Award for outstanding student satisfaction.

The focus of this two-year Biotechnology Technician offering is to provide practical training in industrial microbiology as well as chemistry (analytical), organic and biochemistry. This is achieved through a hands-on approach to learning how to: isolate, enumerate and identify microorganisms from many types of samples (water, soil, air, your body, food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products); prepare specimens for staining; become proficient in aseptic handling of materials; accurately calibrate and use a range of instruments such as pH and BOD meters, Gas Chromatographs, spectrophotometers (regular/IR/UV), HPLC’s etc.; prepare microbiological media and reagents and culture pathogenic microbes; design and performing microbiology experiments; and use microorganisms to assay pharmaceutical products.

Specific courses in this Biotechnology Technician offering include: Chemistry, Occupational Health and Safety, Microbiology, Microbial Techniques, Statistics for Applied Science, Food Microbiology, Organic Chemistry, Report Writing in a Technician Environment and more.

The hands-on learning techniques within the Biotechnology Technician program involve laboratory activity, including appropriate safety procedures, as well as a project approach, with independently designed microbiology projects that enhance students’ problem-solving and research skills. Training in Occupational Health and Safety, WHMIS, GMP, HACCP is to industry standards.

Students may graduate in two years as biotechnology technicians or continue for a third year to study specialized topics such as advanced biotechnology and microbial genetics or systematic microbiology, graduating as biotechnology technologists. Graduates of the two-year offering may apply for certification through the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) to use the following professional designation: CTech (Certified Technician).

Companies that have hired students of the Biotechnology Technician program include: Kisko Products, Hermann Laue Spice Company, Apotex Inc., Agropur - Divisional Natrel, Mill Street Brewery, MAXXAM Analytics, Campbell Soup Company, bioMerieux Analytics, Griffith Laboratories and Cosmetica Laboratories Inc.

Applicants to this Biotechnology college level program must have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older); English Grade 12 C or U or equivalent, or skills assessment; and Math Grade 11 M or U or Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent, or skills assessment.

Aviation Programs Offers Knowledge You’ll Apply with Confidence

“This program has been such a pleasure to attend,” says graduate Victoria Welch of Centennial College’s Aviation Technician – Avionics Maintenance offering, one of the respected avionics programs offered in Ontario. “I feel like I was given a proper education and I feel so confident moving forward with the skills I learned from [the] talented staff. I was so impressed with the high quality education that each teacher worked so hard to pass on.” Meanwhile, 2012 graduate Waris Ullah says, “The learning atmosphere was perfect since we had brilliant and admiring professors lecturing, which made me sit back and think in my mind, ‘Yes, I want to be here.’”

These two powerful testimonials demonstrate the caliber of learning offered in this Avionics program, which not only results in an Ontario College Diploma but also allows students the opportunity for Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace accreditation for recognition towards meeting the basic training requirements for CCAA occupational trade certification as an Avionics Maintenance Technician. It should be noted that to be eligible, graduates must have an absenteeism rate of less than 5 per cent (of the total program hours) and have maintained a 70 per cent (B) grade in each course in the program.

As for the Avionics Program itself, the focus is on the aircraft’s various electronic systems — electrical power distribution and control, navigation, flight instrumentation, communication and radar. With students also learning theory and practical application in topics such as: safety and human factors, piston engines and propellers, sheet metal and aircraft structures, tools, materials and processes; theory of flight, aircraft publication, aircraft applied mathematics, electrical fundamentals, avionics fundamentals, aviation installation practices, avionics troubleshooting practices and more.

The Avionics program is offered out of Centennial College’s Ashtonbee Campus, which includes a fully functional aircraft hangar, licensed by Transport Canada, complete with a “fleet” of 10 aircraft. This along with faculty members, who are highly skilled, with years of experience and extensive technical expertise, with a deep commitment to the program, ensures students’ success.

Graduation from this aviation program requires students to obtain at minimum a C grade in all courses. As a result of the Avionics program, students become bench technicians for avionic-approved shops and aircraft manufacturing companies. These professionals are responsible for setting up and operating ground support and testing equipment to perform functional flight tests of electrical and electronic systems; testing and troubleshooting instruments, components, and assemblies; keeping records of maintenance and repair work; interpreting flight test data to diagnose malfunctions and systemic performance problems; installing electrical and electronic components, assemblies and systems in aircraft; connecting components to assemblies such as radio systems, instruments, magnetos, inverters, and in-flight refueling systems; assembling components such as switches, electrical controls, and junction boxes; and more. Graduates of the Avionics program may also work in related non-aircraft electronic industries.

Applicants to this Avionics program in Canada must have completed an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or General Education Development or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, they must 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.

Arts Program Offers Humanities, Social Studies and More

Do you have an interest in social arts such as humanities, social and communities’ studies? Do you possess at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years of age)? Additionally, have you completed the English Grade 12 (C or U) or equivalent, or skills assessment? If you answered ‘yes’ to all of these, you may want to consider applying for Centennial Colleges arts offering, officially known as General Arts and Science – Arts, which takes only two semesters to complete. (Please note, possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to program).

The arts program looks to ensure that students study a range of subjects in the humanities and social sciences, and obtain communications and learning skills. Students are given the power by being able to determine the length of the program — running from one to four semesters — depending on future goals. “One of the things in which we take pride is that students leave here with a level of confidence that they didn’t arrive with, “says Michael Simons, a faculty member in the arts college program. “They leave knowing that in some cases, there’s far more possibilities for what they can achieve than what they first imagined when they got here.” Who would benefit from this arts colleges training? First, students who are interested in pursing an education in specialized programs such as Child Studies, Communication Arts, Community Services or Hospitality and Tourism Administration, should consider attending the General Arts program. Also, students who don’t possess the academic admission credentials needed to enter a university program of their choice would benefit from upgrading credentials through the Arts program. Lastly, those who wonder if college or university is the right choice for them would find the format of the Arts program beneficial as on-campus experience will allow them to gain insight into how post-secondary programs are structured and what responsibilities they will have as students.

Some specific courses in the Arts program include: Math in a Digital Age (enables students to not only focus on content, but also to develop the thinking process that underlies mathematics. The course integrates appropriate technologies into the learning and doing of mathematics, while recognizing the continuing importance of mastering essential numeric and algebraic skills); Concepts in Social Science (main objective is to help students develop their ability to think conceptually — that is, the ability to grasp abstract ideas and to relate these various ideas to each other and to everyday reality. It is called Concepts in Social Science because the ideas and theories it presents are drawn from the social sciences; mainly psychology, sociology and political science); Human Genomics: An Ethical View (to some extent the course enhances technical knowledge of genetics, but the primary focus of the course will turn on the social and moral implications of the genetic revolution), and more.

After one year of study, with at least a 3.0 GPA, students may proceed directly into the first year of a university arts program. Centennial College’s Arts program has articulated programs with selected universities, institutes and professional associations. These schools include: Athabasca University, Griffith University, Ryerson University and York University.

Chrysler Apprenticeship Results in College Diploma and Completion of In-School Apprenticeship Curriculum

At Centennial College’s Chrysler technician program, known officially as Automotive Service Technician Co-op Apprenticeship (Partnered with Chrysler Canada Inc.), successful students earn an Ontario College diploma, and complete their entire Ontario apprenticeship in-school curriculum within two years. They then go on to fulfill positions such as: automotive service technician, service writer/advisor, service manager, instructor/professor and auto company representative sound like they may appeal to you. Despite these different positions, students will be comfortable in all of them and have the knowledge to carry out tasks such as: diagnosing problems using Chrysler diagnostic equipment; performing repairs and preventive maintenance on engines, transmissions, electrical systems, brakes and tires.

The Chrysler apprenticeship is set to allow students to experience both in-school sessions and on the job training at a Chrysler dealership. As such, the first eight months of the program are spent at Ashtonbee Campus where Chrysler technician students take courses such as Engine Systems, Drive Train Systems, Suspension/Steering & Brakes, Electrical/ Electronics & Emissions and more. Students then alternate to a co-op work placement with a Chrysler dealer as registered apprentices during which they apply what they have learned and gain new knowledge in order to take more advanced Chrysler apprenticeship courses upon their return to the college.

The in-school curriculum sees students studying in fully-equipped automotive labs that feature automobile assemblies. In addition to the courses already mentioned, students cover topics such as Chrysler product component design and repair, Chrysler factory training, advanced diagnostics and hybrid/alternate fuels as they apply to the apprenticeship curriculum. Lastly, Chrysler apprenticeship students take courses in automotive trade business, English and general education that help prepare them for employment opportunities in a dealership administrative role.

Those who are interested in becoming Chrysler technicians through Centennial College’s Chrysler apprenticeship must possess at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or General Educational Development (GED) or equivalent. They must also have completed English Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent (or take the Centennial College English Skills Assessment for Admission) and Mathematics Grade 11 C, M or U or equivalent, or skills assessment (or take the Centennial College Engineering Math Skills Assessment for Admission). Applicants to the Chrysler apprenticeship may be required to present a resume and transcript for faculty review, fill out a questionnaire and attend an interview. Please note that English proficiency and satisfactory results in a program admission session will also be considered during the admissions process.

Employers benefit from accepting Chrysler apprenticeship students, as they gain upcoming employees that have future management potential. Employers are also eligible for up to $45,000 over four years in various federal and provincial tax incentives. Meanwhile, apprentices are currently eligible for up to $4000 in various grants and tax incentives.

Toyota Technician Training Ensures Career with Reputable Company

In today’s day and age, a very wide variety of vehicles fill our roads. A particularly popular brand is Toyota, with the company manufacturing, in July 2012, its200-millionth vehicle. As such, there is a demand for professionals who have completed Toyota Technician training and are ready for the field. One institution that offers reliable training in this area is Centennial College, with its Automotive Service Technician Toyota (Map 32)program, which also allow students to work as automotive service technicians, service writers and advisers, service and parts managers, trainers and professors or automotive manufacturer specialists.

Applicants to the Toyota technician training must possess at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma ora General Educational Development (GED) or equivalent. In addition, they should be employed by a Toyota dealership. 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. Students may apply to a maximum of three programs at Centennial College.As with any college program, there are a limited spots within this Toyota technician training. When space permits,additional applicants who may not be employed by Toyota are selected through an interview process.

Resulting in a certificate, this Toyota technician training lasts a total of 64 weeks, which are split between on-campus lessons during which theory and application of that theory is learned and time with the students’ employers. While on-campus, the Toyota technician training covers traditional apprenticeship curriculum, as well as additional training on Toyota products’ description, operation, diagnostics and repair. Toyota technician training students also become familiar with conducting vehicle inspections through the five specific courses: Drive Train Systems,Electrical/Electronic & Fuels, Engine Systems, Work Practices and Procedures and Suspension/Steering and Brake Systems. As such, the offering contains eight week’s more worth of material in greater depth than traditional apprenticeship curriculum.

Centennial College’s program also makes it easy for students to apply what they learn as the Toyota technician training is housed within Ashtonbee campus — the largest transportation training centre in the province. This location offers an environment that mimics a real-life workshop, complete with tools and Toyota vehicles.

It is worth noting that Toyota technician training students may also be eligible for up to $4,000 in various grants and tax incentives. While they are in school, students of this Toyota Technician training may also be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) and while they are with their employers, they are fully compensated. This Toyota Technician apprenticeship benefits students but also takes employers into account by making them eligible for up to $45,000 over four years in various federal and provincial tax incentives. They also gain a Toyota-dedicated employee that has future potential.

Construction and Maintenance Electricians Deal With Application and Implementation

Did you know that like electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology (EET) deals with the design, application, installation, manufacturing, operation and/or maintenance of electrical/electronic systems? However, according to Wikipedia, EET, which employs the construction and maintenance electricians trained at Centennial College, is generally more focused on application and implementation, while electrical engineering may place more of an emphasis on theory and conceptual design. Electrical engineering technology is the largest branch of engineering technology and includes a diverse range of sub-disciplines, such as electronics, embedded systems, control systems, instrumentation, telecommunications, and power systems.

As mentioned, one specific area that employs EET professionals is the construction industry, in which they are called construction and maintenance electricians. In this industry, construction and maintenance electricians work in areas such as: service, installation, repairs, sales and design. Among these professionals’ responsibilities are: reading and interpreting drawings, circuit diagrams and electrical code specifications to determine wiring layouts for new or existing installations; installing, replacing and repairing lighting fixtures and electrical control and distribution equipment; splicing, joining and connecting wire to fixtures and components to form circuits; testing continuity of circuits using test equipment to ensure compatibility and safety of system following installation, replacement or repair; troubleshooting and isolating faults in electrical and electronic systems and remove and replace faulty components; and more.

Centennial College prepares students for this field in just two years. Because it is a co-op diploma apprenticeship, the offering trains students as apprentices in the electrician trade while seeing them obtain a post secondary engineering technician diploma in the electrical engineering field. As such, courses that the future construction and maintenance electricians attend feature a project approach that simulates actual workplace assignments. Additionally in-school theory is balanced with time in laboratories with courses covering three levels of Electrical Codes and Prints, three levels of Electrical Theory, three levels of Installation Methods, three levels of Electronics, and more.

To ensure that construction and maintenance electrician students are fully comfortable prior to graduation, eight months of the program are spent on a co-op placement arranged by the college. The hours earned during the co-op placement are counted towards the practical part of apprenticeship training. This experience not only allows for application of the skills learned in school but it is an opportunity for students to network and gain new knowledge from seasoned professionals while being compensated.

Applicants to this construction and maintenance electrician program are required to have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older). In addition, they are required to have finished the English Grade 12 C or U or equivalent, or skills assessment as well as the Math Grade 11 M, C or U or Grade 12 M, C or U, or equivalent, or skills assessment. Lastly a questionnaire, resume and references to determine apprenticeship employability as well as an employer interview may be required.

GM Technician Training Encompasses All of the Latest GM Vehicle Systems

“All of the students who qualify to enter the [GM technician training] at Centennial College have to be working at a General Motors dealership as well as be an apprentice in a General Motors dealer,” says Peter Loken, an instructor at Centennial College’s Automotive Service Technician General Motors of Canada ASEP (MAP 32), as it is officially known. “It is a co-op program where we end up spending eight weeks in class then eight weeks at the dealership, hopefully getting experience in the areas that we have just been trained in.”

This great overview of the GM technician training offers insight into the application process and one of the program’s standout features. Let’s take a closer look at both.

First and foremost, aside from already being employed in the field, applicants must also possess at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or a GED or equivalent. It should be noted that if students are not currently General Motors employees, they might also be selected through an interview process. Once they’ve been accepted, they’ll have to obtain an employer and register as a MAP apprentice with the Apprenticeship Branch of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Acceptance to the GM technician training is based on successful completion of all entry requirements and space is limited.

As Peter mentioned, one of the program highlights is that future General Motors technicians have the advantage of spending time during their training in-school and with their employer (32 weeks with each). Specific courses students attend during the in-school portion of GM technician training include: Motor Vehicle Engine Systems, Electrical, Electronics & Fuel Systems; Gear Trains, Applied Work Practices & Procedures; Steering, Suspension & Brakes; and more. Additionally, while on campus GM technician training students learn all of the latest GM vehicle systems, with emphasis on diagnosis and repair, following recommended GM service procedures. A large portion of the program involves vehicle electrical and electronic systems diagnosis and repair in labs at Ashtonbee Campus, the provinces largest transportation training centre. Students may be eligible for employment insurance during the in-class GM technician training.

During the time students alternate to sessions with their employer, as Peter mentioned, students apply what they have learned and obtain new knowledge in order to come back to Centennial College prepared to master more advanced topics.

Upon graduation, GM technician technicians receive up to 21 GM Dealer Technician Training Credits and an Ontario College Certificate. In the field, they have responsibilities that include: reviewing work orders; road testing motor vehicles, and testing automotive systems and components; changing, repairing or replacing parts and components of automotive systems; testing and changing repaired systems to the required standards; performing scheduled maintenance service, such as oil changes, lubrications and tune-ups; advising customers on work performed, general vehicle conditions and future repair requirement.