OACC: Choosing a Career College

Choosing a Career College

By Alix Matthews-Mahé

- Media Communications Coordinator, Ontario Association of Career Colleges

Every year, over 60,000 students choose to pursue post-secondary education at one of Ontario’s career colleges. Career colleges offer hands-on learning in a variety of skilled fields, often in just a matter of months. But, with over 600 campus locations dotted across the province, how do you decide which one is the best fit for you?

The following is a list of 5 essential tips on choosing a career college:

1.  Do your research

Find a college in your area or one that offers the program you’re looking for. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, you can go to www.ontario.ca/pcc to make sure the colleges you’re looking at are registered with the ministry. Also, check into professional associations, such as the Ontario Association of Career Colleges, to see if the colleges are members in good standing.

2.  Book a tour

Visiting a career college is often the best way to get a feel for the school. During the tour, you will have the opportunity to talk to teachers and students, check out the classrooms and equipment, and picture yourself as a student there.

3.  Ask questions

Try talking to current students, alumni, instructors, and employers, and ask them as many questions as you can. Colleges can often put you in touch with graduates and businesses that have hired their students, so that you can hear about their experiences with the college first-hand.

4.  Compare and contrast

Whether you walk into a college and its love at first sight or if you aren’t quite sure if it’s the right one yet, it’s always a good idea to compare. By booking a tour at another college and comparing student experiences from several campuses, you should get a good idea of what college and learning environment works best for you.

5.  Look into funding options

Career college students use a variety of funding options including personal funds, Second Career funding, WSIB funding, and OSAP. If you require OSAP funding, make sure the college is OSAP designated. If not, speak to a representative at the college to see what other options are available. 

Established in 1973, the Ontario Association of Career Colleges is a provincial voice for career colleges. OACC has over 280 members who contribute to the province’s economy by training a majority of the 60,000 students who enroll in career colleges annually in hundreds of essential, skilled fields. Visit our website at www.oacc.ca or find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Open House – Internationally Educated Engineers

Open House – Internationally Educated Engineers

Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 1:00 pm

 

MISSISSAUGA - On Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 1:00 pm, the EPIC College of Technology is holding an open house session for all Internationally Educated Engineers (IEE) who are pursuing their professional license (P.Eng.) in Canada to introduce its Technical Exam Preparation course program.

This informative session helps you decide which course(s) you should be taking, discussion on how the courses are run, what course load you can expect, the difficulty of the courses and what materials you will be provided with.  In addition, you will have an opportunity to meet and chat with some of the course instructors.

If you would like to attend this free open house session, please call Ruby at 1-888-374-2338 ext 222 or e-mail iee@epic-edu.com to reserve your space.

There is no cost to attend this open house session but space is limited so please reserve your spot today!

http://www.epic-peng.com/open-house-internationally-educated-engineers/

EPIC College of Technology Campus

5670 McAdam Road

Mississauga, ON L4Z 1T2

National Academy turns 33; named "Best Career College"

National Academy celebrates 33^rd Anniversary, accepts recognition of Best Career College

National Academy celebrated its 33^rd anniversary as a Private Career College, one of Canada’s oldest and most trusted, while also accepting the Reader’s Choice Gold Award for Best Career School.  This recognition is the latest in the history of a school that has been recognized for its outstanding education, personable and experienced staff & faculty and ample employment prospects for its graduates.

National Academy, with both a Mississauga and Hamilton campus, offers a range of specialized Diploma programs in Healthcare, Business and Law.  Students enjoy hands-on, instructor-led training, blended with a rich history of a successful culture that gives its graduates a jump start into their career.  Their recipe for success involves small classes, job placements and instructors with real-world experience.  Within just a few minutes of visiting a National Academy campus, it’s evident that they are committed to your success and career goals.

Unlike traditional educational institutions, National Academy focuses on applied learning.  The student experience is interactive, intimate and accountable.  Students are prepared for success throughout their program, known on a first name basis and guided towards success.  The university and college system focus on student volume, while National Academy is focused on student success.  With class sizes under 20 (not 200) and hands-on training versus strictly theoretical, it is clear that National Academy sets a new benchmark in the education industry.

“Our success is our students and the graduates that we prepare for employment” explains Mark Harrington, President of National Academy.  “From our industry-low OSAP default rate (meaning that graduates get jobs and pay back their OSAP) to the experience that our faculty shares with our students in the classroom, we are proud of what we’ve built and the opportunities that our students and graduates have.  The recognition of Best Career College is a tribute to our staff and students.” he adds.

OSAP Defaults gage the success of a school’s graduates through its ability to repay their student loans.  In logic, a working graduate is able to repay their student loan without default.  National Academy, for the 3rd year in a row, came in at 7.8% (92.2% re-payment) – significantly better than the average of all private career colleges (15.2%, 84.8% re-payment) and community colleges such as Sheridan College and Mohawk College (10.5% Default, 89.5% re-payment).

With innovative Diploma programs, including Medical Lab Technician, Intra-Oral Dental Assistant and Police Foundations, National Academy offers more than 15 Diploma programs in Healthcare, Business and Law. 

About National Academy

The National Academy of Health & Business is a leading Career College with campuses in Mississauga and Hamilton. National Academy has been training individuals for careers in Healthcare, Business and Law Enforcement for over 30 years.

Press details can be confirmed through

Jason Johnston
Jason@nahb.ca
416-846-1057

Information:

National Academy of Health & Business

Phone and email:

Mississauga: 1.888.306.0991
mississauga@nahb.ca

Hamilton: 1.888.446.4649
hamilton@nahb.ca

triOS College receives CSCSC Accreditation

triOS Supply Chain Programs Meet Rigorous Standards to Achieve Accreditation from the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council

Mississauga, ON – As a testament to the calibre of the curriculum, triOS College Supply Chain & Logistics programs have been accredited by the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council (CSCSC) through its National Accreditation Program (the NAP). The accreditation is only granted when educational institutions meet rigorous criteria set by the Council's national standard.

“The Council is pleased that triOS has successfully completed accreditation of two of its programs. Development and implementation of new curriculum offerings by learning system providers will help to meet increasingly complex and demanding skill and knowledge requirements in our sector. The impact of triOS graduates on employers and the sector will be watched with enthusiasm,” said Kevin Maynard, Executive Director of the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council.

The Council’s standards for accreditation were created with significant input from supply chain sector stakeholders. The standards are based on national and international best practices and principles. The criteria for obtaining accreditation include program design, development, delivery, and student evaluation. As an accredited program, the Supply Chain & Logistics course offered at triOS College has shown that it meets all of those standards.

“We are elated to have our Supply Chain & Logistics program accredited,” said Wendy Churchill, Director of Academic and Employment Services. “The program was developed to meet industry demand for skilled employees in this sector. Achieving this accreditation is a monumental accomplishment and will help our graduates secure excellent careers in the supply chain sector.”

This noteworthy accreditation adds to the numerous highlights of both programs, Supply Chain and Logistics + Internship and Supply Chain and Logistics. The highlights include: Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA) Certification, Supply Chain & Logistics Association Canada (SCL/CAL) membership and an internship component. The accreditation from the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council was granted in October 2012 and is effective for three years.

About triOS College

Since its inception in 1992, triOS has prepared over 20,000 job-ready graduates for rewarding careers. triOS is the proud recipient of numerous distinctions including being named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies two years in a row. The college offers a career-focused approach to education enabling graduates to start careers in business, technology, healthcare, and law. Students receive real-world experience from internship placements included in most programs. triOS has campus locations across Southern Ontario including: Windsor, London, Kitchener, Hamilton, Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto, Scarborough and Oshawa. triOS College is registered as a Private Career College under the Private Career Colleges Act of Ontario. More information about triOS College may be found at www.trios.com.

– END –

For more information:

Brittany Tkach, Communications Coordinator,
905.814.7212 x1037 or brittany.tkach@trios.com

Is a Career College right for you?

Is a Career College right for you?

by Alix Matthews-Mahe - Media Communications Coordinator

Ontario Association of Career Colleges

For many, the month of September means “back to school.” If you’re considering pursuing post-secondary education in Ontario, there is a sea of high-quality choices available to you. While most are familiar with the functioning of universities and community colleges, you might be surprised at what career colleges have to offer.

Career colleges have been providing quality post-secondary education in Ontario for over 140 years. Now with over 600 campus locations across the province and a variety of program offerings, it’s no wonder that every year more than 60,000 students in Ontario choose to attend a career college. 

Here are 6 reasons a career college might be the right fit for you:

1.  Variety of career specific programs

With programs ranging from computer technology to personal support worker; policing to hair styling; and massage therapy to paralegal, there is something for everyone no matter which career path you are interested in.

2.  Shorter duration

The length of career college programs range from a few months to under two years with an average duration of 9 months, getting you into the career you choose quickly.

3.  Continuous  intake

If you’re not ready to start classes in September, career college programs have start dates year-round. Many schools even offer programs with monthly intakes, so you can decide what timing works best for you.

4.  Age range

Although some choose to attend a career college directly out of high school, the average age of a career college student is 27 and 30 per cent are over the age of 35. The variety of age groups ensures you’ll fit in no matter what the date on your birth certificate reads.

5.  Smaller class sizes

Due to small annual enrolments and continuous intakes, student-teacher ratios are very low allowing for more personalized instruction.

6.  Close to home

There’s no need for long commutes! With over 600 career college campuses dotted across the province in small, medium, and large communities, there is likely a career college just down the street from where you live.

If you think a career college is the right fit for you, find a registered career college near you by using the Service Ontario website. Book a college tour to get a feel for what it would be like going back to school at an Ontario career college.

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Established in 1973, the Ontario Association of Career Colleges is a provincial voice for career colleges. OACC has over 280 members who contribute to the province's economy by training a majority of the 60,000 students who enroll in career colleges annually in hundreds of essential, skilled fields. Visit our website at www.oacc.ca or find us on Facebook and Twitter.