Sunday, June 16, 2013

Centennial College’s Tourism and Travel Courses Lead to Long-lasting Careers


Did you know that after just three semesters of Centennial College’s Tourism and Travel courses you may be hired by respected and well known companies such as: Marlin Travel, Sears Travel, Thomas Cook Group, Carlson Wagonlit, Air Transat/Nolitours, Goway, Sunwing, Travel Corporation and Kensington Tours? That’s because not only does this reliable training result in an Ontario College Diploma, the Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors (CITC) also endorses it. As such, CITC knowledge exam and Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) minimum standards exam are included as part of it. Additionally, CITC student membership and annual Students in Travel conference are included.

The Tourism and Travel courses within this offering are focused on ensuring that students obtain an in-depth knowledge of airline tariffs and ticketing, accommodation and ground transportation and the cruise industry. This travel and tourism program, also offers students a solid grounding in areas such as culture and heritage training, passport and visa requirements, travel security, customer sales and service, and much more. Specific tourism and travel courses include: World Geography for Tourism, Introduction to Hospitality Accounting, Selling Cruises, Industry Automation – Apollo, Introduction to Computing, Sales & Marketing for Travel Industry, Airline Automation – Sabre, Travel Agency Operations and more. Another highlight of the travel and tourism program is that cruise line training includes the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) two and a half-day “training fest” conducted by CLIA-Trainers.

In order to apply what they have learned in their Tourism and Travelcourses, students also participate in a three-days-a-week internship. Conducted in the third and final semester of the program, it is a chance for students to apply skills learned in-class, interact with professionals and network. In addition, the program offers its students an international trip that provides practical exposure to all aspects of travel.

Should students who complete the Tourism and Travel courses want to pursue further education, Centennial College makes it easy for them through articulated programs with selected universities, institutes and professional associations. These partnerships allow graduates to apply academic credit towards further study. The partner of the Tourism and Travel program is University of New Brunswick.

To apply to Centennial College’s travel and tourismprogram, you must present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, you should have completed the compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment or equivalent. Please note that possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Hospitality and Tourism Courses Offer Life and Career Skills

If you dream of working in the hospitality and tourism industry but are looking for a solid foundation before entering the program that most interests you, look no further than the hospitality and tourism courses offered at Centennial College’s Hospitality Foundations program. This program is just what it sounds like: a pathway for pursuing a career in hospitality, tourism and culture. As such, it has been specifically created for students who have not been accepted into the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culture undertaking of their choice but aren’t ready to give up on their career dreams. Once they complete their hospitality and tourism courses in Hospitality Foundations, students are invited to join any program of their choice.

In the two semesters students spend in the program, they attend various hospitality and tourism courses that not only equip them for a future career but also for the challenges of college and the Canadian workplace. That's because through the hospitality and tourism courses, they have the opportunity to develop academic and professional skills and attitudes, which will facilitate success in their program of choice and eventual career. Among these skills are English fluency, including reading, writing, listening and speaking. In regards to specific attitudes, students get into the habit of reflective practice in order to continuously develop their communication competence in all language strands. Professionalism courses include: Life Skills and Job Readiness (helps students develop learning skills and life skills that will help them to maximize their personal fulfillment); and Foundations: Developing College Communications (designed to assist students in upgrading their English skills in the four areas - reading, writing, speaking, and listening); and more.

Meanwhile, specific hospitality degree in Canada, include: Theory of Food Fundamentals (as good food is the foundation on which the restaurant industry is built, it is imperative that one understands how to not only produce good food, but to do so in a safe, efficient and cost-effective manner. This course will introduce learners to the theoretical principles of food production); Geography and Tourism – Western Hemisphere (examines earth sciences such as land formations, time zones and climate. There will include a basic introduction to plate tectonics); and more.

All hospitality and tourism courses in this program are delivered at a measured pace in small classes, which are led by sensitive and experienced professors who ensure that students get the support they need to succeed.

Applicants to hospitality and tourism courses can't apply directly. Instead, they must advised and assisted to register by the Centennial College Assessment and Advising Centre. Additionally, students must at least have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature applicant status (19 years or older). Prior to registration, students must complete the Centennial College English skills assessment and score 130 or 131. In some cases, students' skills assessment score will satisfy the requirements for their original program choice. Centennial College will notify them by sending an offer to their original program if there is still space available.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Community Development Programs Combine Various Fields

Did you know that in order to apply for one of Toronto's respected Community Development programs (at Centennial College), students just require an interest in the field; possession of an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older); as well as completion of English Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent (minimum grade required) or the Centennial College English Skills Assessment for Admission? With these admission requirements met, they can apply to study the ins and outs of the field of social planning that strives to enhance the social and economic well being of people living in various communities.

 
What exactly is community development? At its core, it is a term used to describe the practices and academic disciplines of civic leaders, activists, involved citizens and professionals to improve various aspects of local communities. These community advocates must understand both how to work with individuals and how to affect communities' positions within the context of larger social institutions. As a result, they empower individuals and groups of people by providing them with the skills they need to effect change in their own communities.

With this in mind, Centennial College's Community Development program balances politics, economics, research and an understanding of cultural diversity in its courses. In addition, Community Development program students have the opportunity to apply what they learn to two different work placements in semesters three and four. During these experiences, students work under the supervision of community practitioners in "real world" fieldwork settings where they also network and obtain new knowledge from these seasoned professionals.

Specific courses in which students of this community develop program partake are: Global Citizenship: From Social Analysis to Social Action (learners use individual portfolios to demonstrate personal and professional development that connects social responsibility to program studies. These portfolios are introduced and evaluated in a designated program course in the first semester of their program, are anchored in this course, and evaluated as a final product in a designated program course in the final semester of their program); College Communications (introduces the standards of college-level English. It enables students to develop skills in grammar, sentence variety, paragraph development, vocabulary, and reading comprehension); Social Psychology (designed to introduce the student to the theories, research, and applications that constitute the field of social psychology. Important social phenomena are described in order to demonstrate how social psychologists analyze and explain such phenomena); as well as Sustainable Community Development, Community Economic Development, Community Development in Action, Business Essentials, Community Engagement and Participation as well as others such as.

As a result of the Community Development program in Canada, grads work in public, private and non-profit sector careers in a wide array of positions geared at building community capacity, promoting sustainable community and managing/directing community economic development initiatives. Among specific areas in which students of the Community Development program may find careers upon graduation are: government, voluntary organizations, corporations, and international community settings.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Computer Networking Training Offers Distinguished Training

Did you know that the more exclusive the computer networking training at Centennial you attend, the better? Firstly, the fact that you have been accepted to a program that only accepts, for example, only 100 students yearly shows your passion for the field of Computer Systems Technology - Networking. Secondly, such an offering ensures plenty of one-on-one time with instructors, which may lead to valuable networking opportunities. Thirdly, small classroom sizes guarantee an opportunity for much hands-on application. If these exclusive program aspects apply to you, look no further than Centennial College's computer networking training in Canada.


To apply to Centennial College’s computer networking training, which is officially known as Officially known as Computer Systems Technology – Networking, you must have completed the 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.


This program takes three years to complete and includes a focus on the latest in computer systems through a strong lab and technical problem solving emphasis. As such, this very hands-on approach allows you to enter PC hardware and learn about operating systems as well as configure and troubleshoot wired and wireless networks to have full control of the computing and communicating technology. Additionally, you will work with modern equipment to learn techniques for copper/ fiber cabling certification and network troubleshooting. Another standout feature of this computer networking training is the fact that you will also learn to put together and maintain systems that will empower users in their creative, business and communication activities. Among the specific computer networking courses: Introduction to Web Design, Windows Server Operating Systems, PC Hardware, Network Technologies, PC Operating Systems, and others.


To ensure that you have truly mastered everything you learn during your computer networking courses, the program includes a capstone project. In the fifth semester, you will partake in a Fundamentals of Project Management course, during which you learn to research, analyze, plan costing, schedule and resolve problems in implementing the project. The project conceived in Fundamentals of Project Management will then be incorporated into the capstone venture, during which you will design a project that fulfills the specifics laid down to accomplish business objectives. You will work in a team to handle the various aspects of the project and maintain clear and accurate project related documents, which adhere to industry standards. During the implementation process, you will go through configuration and troubleshooting exercises, using a systematic approach and diagnostic tools to solve problems. At the end of the course, each team will demonstrate the project, make an oral presentation and submit a written final report.


Completion of computer networking course in Canada results in positions such as computer systems technologist, field service representative, network technologist, network technical support specialist, help desk support, LAN support and LAN administrator. Graduates are also positioned to pursue industry standard certifications such as Comptia A+, Net+, iNet, Cisco CCNA, Novell CNE, Microsoft Win2000 Professional and Server. Visit Centennial College for more information.

Game Design Program Boasts Real World Experiences

Reputable companies such as SpongeLab, CIBC, Bell Canada, Hudson’s Bay Company, ManuLife, Royal Bank and more are seeking professionals who have attended a game design program in Canada such as Centennial College’s Software Engineering Technology - Interactive Gaming (Co-op). These professionals not only have the option of obtaining varied positions such as software developer, game programmer, software tester, computer programmer, system analyst, business analyst, web application developer, database administrator and applications or software support, they also play vital roles in various phases of the game programming life cycle. These phases include: game design, game engine design, three-dimensional graphics programming, multiplayer online game programming, and more.


Priding itself on an ideal balance between theory and practical application, the game design courses in this program take three years to complete and result in an Advanced Ontario College Diploma. In those three years, game design courses are delivered using leading-edge technology geared to industry standards; technical electives and project-based learning are also available. As such, knowledgeable and approachable faculty members with diverse business experience and academic credentials lead students through object-oriented software design methodologies, user-oriented interface design, Microsoft’s .NET, DirectX, XNA, Software Testing and QA, C#, Java, J2EE, Oracle, MS-SQL Server, Unix/ Linux, HTML/ XML, Rational/ WebSphere, and more. Among specific game design courses in this offering are: Game Programming, Emerging Technologies, IT Project Management, Software Testing and Quality Assurance, Advanced Business Communications, Web Interface Design and much more.


To underscore the applied focus of the curriculum, the program includes two software development projects. These real-world business applications required students to utilize all the technical and business skills acquired during their studies to build higher quality software. They are also great preparation for the game design program’s co-op placement aspect. Working three terms as paid employees in the field, academically-qualified students enhance their education by not only putting classroom learning into practice, but also by gaining vital contacts for future careers.


Applicants to this game design courses at Centennial College must have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment, or equivalent and Math 11M or U, or 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent are also required. Students are placed in the appropriate English level based on a skills assessment. It is worth noting that qualified college or university graduates with a background in software can gain direct entry into semester three of this three-year program and receive their Software Engineering Technology - Interactive Gaming Co-op Advanced diploma in four semesters plus two work terms. Visit Centennial College for more information.