Computer networking training adheres to industry practices with up-to-date technologies and industry-accredited courses

Information Technology (IT) continues to be a hot job market, as many organizations require massive computer networks to process their business. This leads to a growing need for IT professionals dealing with computer networks and a fierce competition in schools for computer networking training. Postsecondary institutions prepare students in launching their careers, and colleges in particular provide the education and experience required for many entry-level positions. Centennial College offers the Computer Systems Technology - Networking (3405) program with an advanced diploma and plenty of applied learning upon graduation.

"At Centennial College, the students receive a very hands-on experience working on the equipment that's located here in the college in their labs: routers, switches, PBXs, (and) wireless devices. As part of their course outline, they will be able to graduate with a good knowledge necessary for them to achieve their goals," says program faculty, Greg Sanche.

The program infuses technical skills into each student, with a blend of lab practice from the theory course counterparts. Students can expect to engage in various networking-related issues from several courses:

• The PC Hardware course enables the students to learn various configuration and troubleshooting tasks. This course helps students pursue the "A+ Certification for IT Technician" accreditation from the Computing Technology Industry Association.
• Customer Skills, a computer networking training, is included in the program since many computer systems - networking duties involve being technical support. Students gain the knowledge and skills revolving in the technical support and helpdesk environment through applied exercises and case projects.
• Students will learn about computer forensics, a developing field in the IT industry, where they practice in their labs to conduct investigations, recover lost data, utilize investigation technology, and write an investigator's report.
• Technical writing is important in this field for IT professionals to communicate with their colleagues and management. Students work with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Visio to for their technical writing exercises. They will also demonstrate proper report writing in a technical environment, which will meet the requirements of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) Technology Report Guidelines.
• Many Networking professionals engage in project management (PM) duties so the IT Project Management course helps students familiarize PM functions. This course follows the guidelines of the Project Management Institute (PMI), a leading professional association for project management.

Centennial professor, Stephen Franks, states that "the unique things about this program in particular are the accreditations" enclosed in many of its courses. The Computer Systems Technology - Networking program is recognized by the industry and accepted as a leading program by Centennial's industry partners. Franks adds: "The program changes continually. We are always trying to update our hardware and our software to match the requirements of the industry, to give the students new and relevant things. We are introducing new versions of Windows, we are constantly updating Linux, (and) we are getting new hardware in terms of routers and switch technologies."