Aviation Program Focuses on Avionics Maintenance

Preparing to become a bench technician for avionic-approved shops and aircraft manufacturing companies is a very intensive process as technicians maintain engine operations, flight patterns, navigation systems, radio communications and weather radar systems; and inspect, test and double-check electrical power distribution and control as well as flight instrumentation. The avionics program you choose should include classroom and shop activities through which you gain both theoretical and practical knowledge, as well as hands-on skills and experience through the demonstration and application of standard industry techniques and processes that are included and imbedded in the program curriculum. One aviation program that includes all this and much more is Centennial College’s Aviation Technician – Avionics Maintenance offering.

But that’s not all that makes this aviation program stand apart from others. The offering is facilitated from Ashtonbee Campus, which the largest training school for transportation technology in Canada. The campus includes a fully functional aircraft hangar, licensed by Transport Canada, complete with a “fleet” of 10 aircraft, which are used as training aids by the aviation program students. Also housed within this facility is modern equipment reflecting the current trends in the industry. Not only are these facilities well equipped but partners and supporters of the program are members of Centennial College’ advisory committees and participate as guest speakers and panelists, sharing their knowledge and expertise for the benefit and enhancement of the program. This results in students and the College being provided with aircraft, components, technical resources and access to industry information and the latest technology.

The curriculum of the aviation program is divided evenly between theory and lab training with shop work on various aircraft, learning basic electronics and sophisticated avionic systems used in modern aircraft and becoming comfortable with the aircraft’s various electronic systems. Specific topics covered with the undertaking include: 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.

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

Lastly, in order to apply for the aviation program students must possess at least 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 Is Designed to a Launching Pad to Further Success

Depending on your future goals and your current credentials, attending Centennial College’s General Arts and Science – Arts program may be beneficial for you. First and foremost, if you have an interest in social arts such as humanities, social and community studies, this program may be for you. Secondly, if you wish to attend specialized programs such as Child Studies, Communication Arts, Community Services or Hospitality and Tourism Administration but don’t possess the academic requirements needed to enter them, you should consider the General Arts colleges program. Thirdly, if you don’t possess the academic admission credentials needed to enter a university program, you would benefit from upgrading credentials through the Arts program. Lastly, if you’re undecided whether college or university is the right choice for you, you will find the on-campus experience offer you insight into how post-secondary programs are structured.

If you fit into one of the above categories, you may apply for the General Arts program. In order to do so, you are required to have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years of age). Additionally, you are required to have the English Grade 12 (C or U) or equivalent, or skills assessment. Please note, possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to this Arts program.

Taking just two semesters to complete, the Arts program covers a range of subjects in the humanities and social sciences, and allows student to obtain communications and learning skills. Among the specific courses by which these skills are taught are: Concepts in Humanities, Concepts in Social Science, Pathways to Academic Success, Principles of Sociology, Twentieth Century History, College Communications, Logical Self-Defense and more. “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.”

Additionally, the Arts program empowers students by allowing them to determine the length of the program — running from one to four semesters — depending on future goals. 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.

Accredited Aircraft Technician Training Offered at Centennial College

When taking aircraft technician training, you want to ensure that the program you attend offers respected accreditations. At Centennial College, the Aviation Technician – Aircraft Maintenance program holds Transport Canada (TC) accreditation, which is provided to graduates who meet attendance requirements, project completion requirements and attain 70 percent in each course. In addition to an Ontario College diploma, successful graduates that meet the accreditation requirements are eligible for an 18-month experience credit and technical examination credit towards the regulatory requirements for issue of a Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence. The program also holds the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace accreditation and recognition towards meeting the basic training requirements for CCAA occupational trade certification as an avionics maintenance technician. Lastly, qualified graduates may also be eligible to participate in an articulated program with selected universities. These partnerships may allow graduates to apply academic credit towards further study. The aviation technician training program’s partner is British Columbia Institute of Technology (Technology Management degree).

To apply for this aircraft technician training, applicants are required to present proof of completed of at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. They must also have finished 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. 

From highly skilled faculty members with years of experience, extensive technical expertise and a deep commitment to the program, students learn sought after skills in aircraft maintenance, power plant structures, inspections, troubleshooting, mechanical, electrical and electronic applications. Emphasis of the aircraft technician courses is on the repair of a wide range of electrical and mechanical systems within an aircraft, including: hydraulics, fuels, environmental systems, engines, surface controls and undercarriage systems, and the aircraft’s frame and external skin. Aviation maintenance servicing practices and procedures as well as aviation regulation requirements, round out this training. A great deal of time in the aircraft technician courses is spent on practical application in labs working on aircraft engines, conducting aircraft and component inspections in a maintenance environment and performing flight-line activities. These labs are housed in Ashtonbee Campus, the largest transportation training centre in the province of Ontario, which includes an airport hangar.

To graduate, students must complete 200 performance tasks. Students also need to obtain a minimum C grade in all courses for graduation. Transport Canada accreditation requires both a minimum B grade in every course and an absentee rate of less than five per cent of the total program hours.

Upon graduation from the aircraft technician training, students are prepared to work with airlines/operators (Air Canada, Kelowna Flightcraft, Great Slave Helicopters); manufacturers (Bombardier, Magellan Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney); military (Department of National Defense); aviation training (Flight Safety Canada Aviation); repair and overhaul (SPAR Aerospace, IMP Group); and aviation equipment/avionics (MC2, Wright Instruments). In addition, aircraft technician training graduates are suitably trained to seek employment in non-aircraft related areas of certain repair and manufacturing industries

Honda Technician Training Opens Doors to Various Careers

Did you know that just by attending Centennial College's Honda technician training you can obtain titles such as: Automotive Service Technician, Service Writer/Advisor, Service & Parts Managers, Trainer/Professor and Automotive Manufacturer Specialist? That's because this offering (officially known as Automotive Service Technician Honda AHAP MAP 32) provides well-rounded training that combines theory and practical practice.

Honda technician training applicants are required to have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or a GED or equivalent. They are also required to be employed by a Honda dealership or be selected through an interview process. If students are not employed at a Honda dealership, they are required to find a sponsor for the hands-on portion of their training to begin classes. Canvassing local dealers for employment and eventually sponsorship would be a great place to start.

Candidates for the Honda technician training may apply directly to Centennial College, with successful applicants (who aren't employed) obtaining an employer and registering as a MAP apprentice with the Apprenticeship Branch of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Acceptance to Honda technician training is based on successful completion of all entry requirements and space is limited. Some students within the Honda technician training at Centennial College may be eligible for Employment Insurance during the in-class aspect.

Apprentices of Honda technician training are currently eligible for up to $4,000 in various grants and tax incentives. Meanwhile, employers are eligible for up to $45,000 over four years in various federal and provincial tax incentives.

This program portion is covered in four eight-week blocks, during which students alternate with apprenticeship work terms at their Acura/Honda Dealer for a total of 64 weeks. The process of technician Honda-specific training begins at Centennial College's state-of-the-art facilities Ashtonbee Campus. This location actually houses the province's largest transportation training centre, which gives students an advantage as it boasts tools of the trade as well as a real shop environment.

In-school Honda technician training covers eight weeks more of material in greater depth than the traditional apprenticeship curriculum. As such, Honda technician training combines a traditional apprenticeship curriculum with additional training on Acura/Honda product description, operation, diagnostics and repair. Specific topics within this curriculum include: electronics and the diagnosing of mechanical systems as well as factory training, advanced diagnostics and hybrid/alternate fuels training. Overall, students train on Acura/Honda products and over 100 on-line Honda training modules.

Upon completion of the Honda technician training, students will have a variety of skills including: 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, repairing electrical wiring, circuits and fixtures; and more.

Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technicians Learn Latest Technology

The jobs of heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technicians are extremely important. These professionals are the ones who help to keep us cool during those long summer nights and ensure that we are comfortable when that thermometer hits below freezing temperatures. As such, they have a wide range of responsibilities such as making, installing, repairing and servicing residential, commercial and industrial cooling and heating systems. To break it down even further, these heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technicians work in building maintenance or specialize in repairing small, portable refrigeration and freezing units. Although the areas in which heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technicians work differ, they must all know how to: measure, cut and connect piping using welding and brazing equipment; recharge systems with refrigerant gases as required; connect rooftop units to gas, test and balance systems and connect electrical systems; adjust computerized controls; use computer software to calculate loads, and work on large machines.

The type of training needed to enter the field is offered through Centennial College and its Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician undertaking, which takes two years to complete. With the world becoming very technology focused and great strides being made in heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technology, the program prides itself on offering the most up-to-date knowledge and techniques. To apply for the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician offering, students 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 must have completed English 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent; and Math 11M or U, or 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent.

Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning courses focus on teaching students how to: maintain, size and select equipment for air conditioning and refrigeration application; the development of refrigerants; development of equipment to meet the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) standards; efficiency standards for heating equipment; installation and service techniques; among others. As such, training is very specific and results in much hands-on practice. This practical aspect is possible as the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning courses are facilitated from Progress Campus, where hospitality programs run a conference centre, restaurant and more. Such facilities offer ample opportunity for students to develop skills through hands-on practice. Additionally, a Capstone Project rounds out in-class training. This final project encompasses elements of everything the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning technician students have learned throughout their time in the program. A faculty member supervises this project.

Upon graduation from Centennial College's Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Courses, students may obtain employment as heating technicians or through affiliated trade apprenticeships in plumbing, pipefitting, electrical, sheet metal or refrigeration. Apprenticeship is required after graduation, for those who wish to become tradespersons.