Occupational Therapy University-Like Program Makes Important Impact

Just by attending the occupational therapy university-like program at Centennial College known as Occupational Therapist Assistant & Physiotherapist Assist, students graduate with an Ontario College Diploma as well as the know-how to: communicate appropriately and effectively, through verbal, nonverbal, written and electronic means, with clients, their families, significant others, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other healthcare providers; participate in the effective functioning of interprofessional healthcare teams; establish, develop, maintain and bring closure to client-centred, therapeutic relationships; document and complete client records in a thorough, objective, accurate and nonjudgmental manner; develop and implement strategies to maintain, improve and promote professional competence; perform effectively through the application of relevant knowledge of health sciences, psychosociological sciences and health conditions; perform functions common to both physiotherapy and occupational therapy practices that contribute to the development, implementation and modification of intervention/treatment plans, under the supervision of and in collaboration with the occupational therapist and/or physiotherapist; and more.

It takes just two years to complete the occupational therapy university-like courses that will give students the above-mentioned capabilities. Applicants must possess at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, students must also have completed: Compulsory English 12C, or U or skills assessment, or equivalent and Biology 11C or U or equivalent.

Once they are accepted, students enter a mature occupational therapy university-environment that is run by faculty members who ensure that they are provided with the educational tools, training and hands-on experience that is necessary to meet career challenges with enthusiasm, professionalism and current industry knowledge. Among the specific topics covered in this offering are: principles of psychology, anatomy and physiology, the health care system, normal function and movement, issues in health aging, human lifespan development, establishing therapeutic communication, physiotherapy skills – therapeutic modalities and much more. Additional areas of instruction and development include: respect and caring for the uniqueness of individuals, effective communication, critical thinking and decision-making.

To apply what they have learned in their occupational therapy university-like offering, students participate in several fieldwork experiences that provide opportunities for the supervised application of skills in a variety of clinical settings, with a range of client populations. Prior to each program field placement, students are required to: have an annual clear police check with vulnerable sector screening, successfully complete and annual renewal of a recognized course in CPR (Health Care Provider level) as well as a recognized course in Standard First Aid; and obtain a pre-clearance health form by a physician or nurse practitioner stating that the student meets the health requirements of legislated acts, ministry guidelines and agency policies. It is also worth noting that a mask fit testing will be provided by Centennial College (shaving of portion of face may be required to meet safety standards).

Heritage Management Courses Connected with Community

When applying for any college program, it is not only important to note the curriculum, but also the relationships the offering has with the industry for which it is training students. At Centennial College, heritage management courses within the Culture and Heritage Site Management offering have partnerships with local, regional, provincial and national institutions and establishments. As such, the program is able to offer students the opportunity to apply what they learn on campus during a two-day-per-week, 15-week field placement in the second semester. In addition to being a practical experience, this opportunity allows for networking, which may prove to be valuable upon graduation when the professional is seeking employment.

However, there are many other benefits to attending Centennial College’s heritage management courses, which result in an Ontario College Graduate Certificate. First and foremost, culture course at Centennial College and heritage management courses cover practical management, as well as industry-based subjects relevant to this largely publicly run or not-for-profit culture and heritage sector. In the pursuit of preparing students for graduation, the courses provide in-depth exploration of issues and cases pertinent to current challenges confronting cultural and heritage organizations at home and abroad. Among these specific culture courses and heritage management courses are: Culture and Heritage Management Essentials, Financial Management and Planning for the Culture and Heritage Sector, Culture and Heritage Marketing Strategy, National Historic Site Management, Municipal Cultural Planning, Heritage and Society, and more.

Secondly, because all culture courses and heritage management courses are based at Progress Campus, students have the advantage of accessing a variety of facilities that will further enhance their learning. Among these facilities are fully equipped computer labs, a restaurant, conference centre and more. Being based at this location also allows students to network and socialize with peers and instructors from similar programs.

Because the culture courses and heritage management courses within this offering are geared towards mature students, the program is accelerated and takes just two semesters to complete. As such, applicants are required to possess a college diploma or university degree in any discipline. In addition, a resume with relevant work experience may be requested. The Culture and Heritage Site Management program will consider applicants with partial post secondary education and relevant work experience in the field.

So what are the prospects like for those who complete Centennial College’s heritage management courses? Consider that Canada has 2,500 museums and related institutions that include not-for-profit museums, art galleries, science centres, aquaria, archives, sports halls-of-fame, artist-run centres, zoos, and heritage sites. These places attract more than 59 million visitors annually. A further 60 million visit our historic sites and natural parks. These types of establishments and facilities require the skills of the professionals trained at Centennial College.

College Programs Focus on Offering Degrees

Thanks to degree programs at college level, earning a bachelor degree doesn't have to take four years of sitting through lectures but not obtaining any hands-on experience. For example, at Centennial College students can attend a variety of college programs that are either facilitated fully at one of the college's four campuses or see students spend some of their training at Centennial College and some at a partnership university. In these degree programs, which meet rigorous Ontario Ministry standards (provincial standards), students not only learn the theory they need to be successful but also partake in application of that theory.

The college programs that see students completing part of their studies at local universities are made possible through partnership agreements. For example, the Bachelors of Science Nursing program is offered with Ryerson University and includes students completing their first two years at Centennial and the final two years at Ryerson. Faculty members who teach the program are from both the college and university. Meanwhile, those interested in collaborative programs with the University of Toronto may attend college degree programs such as: Journalism, New Media Studies and Paramedicine.

Meanwhile, college programs that result in a degree and see students just studying at Centennial College include: Bachelor of Applied Information Sciences - Computer and Communication Networks, Bachelor of Applied Information Sciences - Software Systems Design and Bachelor of Applied Information Sciences - Bridging to Software Systems Design.

The first of these college programs, Computer and Communication Networks, is the only offering of its kind in Canada. It equips students with the knowledge they need to fill positions such as project management analyst, IT program manager, technical account manager, business account manager, network administrators, network analyst and network support. This is achieved through a combination of technology and business subjects, presented in modern laboratories specially engineered for the curriculum. They include uniquely equipped facilities offering VoIP, cellular networks, wireless broadband (WiMax), advanced routing and switching as well as network management. Students can specialize in network security or wireless systems.

Another degree program is Software Systems Design. With a critical need for highly specialized software designers, Centennial College was selected by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to deliver a program to address this demand. As such, the college program places emphasis on advanced software standards and management and covers topics such as website design and development, software development programming fundamentals, financial analysis, economics, object oriented programming, and more. The degree program also offers three software development projects. These real-world business applications require students to utilize all the technical, systems and business skills acquired during their studies to build higher quality software.

Bachelor of Applied Information Sciences - Bridging to Software Systems Design is another one of Centennial College's college degree programs. It allows eligible computer program/analyst graduates or software engineering graduates from Centennial or from a similar program from another college to obtain this four-year Bachelor of Applied Information Sciences in Software System Design in two years.

The Runway to Becoming an Aircraft Technician

In order to take on the all-important responsibilities of an Aviation Technician - a position that includes a wide range of the aviation and aerospace sectors that together work to keep aircraft safe, serviced and airworthy - one must attend a post-secondary aircraft technician training program. For example, at Centennial College’s Aviation Technician - Aircraft Maintenance, students learn a variety of skills that include: overhaul, repair, inspection or modification of an aircraft as well as the installation or removal of a component from an aircraft or aircraft subassembly. With these skills students can apply for positions with aircraft maintenance companies, airlines, manufacturers and other Canadian aviation operations. Additionally, Centennial College’s aircraft technician training qualifies grads to seek employment in non-aircraft related areas of certain repair and manufacturing industries.

Let’s take a detailed look at how the aircraft technician courses at Centennial College take students from novices to experts in two short years. First and foremost, this offering employs a sensible approach that sees students spend a significant amount of time on practical application in labs. In fact, before students can graduate they must complete over 200 maintenance tasks that include knowledge of routine maintenance, servicing, inspection, diagnostics and repair of aircraft engines, airframe and components, as well as performing flight-line activities. Meanwhile, systems covered in the aircraft technician courses include hydraulics, fuel, engines, environmental control, electrical, landing gear and flight controls. General knowledge of aviation regulations and associated processes round out this aircraft technician training.

Secondly, all practical applications are carried out at Centennial College’s extensive facilities that include a fully functional aircraft hangar, licensed by Transport Canada, complete with a “fleet” of 10 aircraft. Guiding students through their aircraft technician courses - among which are Safety and Human Factors, Piston Engines and Propellers, Theory of Flight, Aircraft Publications, Electrical Fundamentals, and more - are faculty members who are highly skilled, with years of experience and extensive technical expertise, with a deep commitment to the program, its students and their success.

Aside from completing 200 maintenance tasks, students of this aircraft technician training must also obtain a minimum C grade in all courses in order to graduate. However, Transport Canada accreditation requires both a minimum B grade in every course and an absentee rate of less than five per cent of the total program hours. The program is both Transport Canada approved and Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council certified as a recognized aircraft maintenance-training program.

Students interested in Centennial College’s aircraft technician training must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or General Education Development or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Applicants are also required to possess compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment or equivalent and Math 11M or U or 12C or U or skills assessment or equivalent.

Emma is the author of this article, in which she writes about the benefits of Centennial College’s aircraft technician training, including its practical approach.

Hospitality Program Teaches Students The Ins and Outs of the Kitchen

Did you know that by attending the hospitality program at Centennial College called Hospitality Operations – Kitchen Management, graduates go on to be employed by reputable and varied companies such as: Swiss Chalet, Milestones, Red Lobster, Jack Astor’s, The Keg, Canyon Creek and many others? That’s because the Kitchen Management courses within this undertaking focus on offering students a range of skill sets through hands-on experience in an on-campus student training restaurant, business practices in accounting, human resources, and supervision.

To apply for this hospitality program’s Kitchen Management courses, students 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.

Once they are accepted, students spend two semesters working towards an Ontario College Certificate as well as the Smart Serve program and the National Sanitation Training certificates. This is achieved through Kitchen Management courses that include: Supervisory Practices for the Kitchen Manager (designed to give learners an opportunity to practice the skill set of a successful supervisor); Quantity Food Production (emphasis is placed on technique, terminology, creativity, correct use of equipment, recipe and measurement analysis, and safe handling and storage procedures); Introduction to Hospitality Accounting (learners obtain the abilities to apply basic cost control, basic revenue management, work with theoretical financial situations and increasing their understanding of accounting principles and concepts and the application of these principles and concepts related to the hospitality, Tourism and Culture industry); and more.

To round of these Kitchen Management courses, the hospitality program gives students the chance to apply what they have learned in the school’s on-campus living lab-restaurant called Horizons. The experience also serves are preparation for the hospitality program’s field placement. During this time, students work in approved jobs within the food service industry. Field placement enables learners to better understand the dynamics of the industry, increase their knowledge of industry practices and provides a competitive advantage of experience in the job market.

Once they complete the hospitality courses within this offering, students may stream into the second year of Centennial’s two-year Food and Beverage Management program to further their education. Alternatively, they are fully prepared to work as food operations managers who plan, organize and direct a varied staff of food service personnel in a many types of food service operations, including catering and banquet, restaurants or specialty snack food service. Among the specific responsibilities of those who have completed Kitchen Management courses are: 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 other such daily tasks.

Jason wrote this article about the hospitality program at Centennial College that prepares students for a career in food operations management at well-known establishments such as Red Lobster, The Keg and more.