Certificate in Personal Support Worker

at Durham College - Oshawa Campus Canada

The Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees is designed to provide students with the core knowledge, skills and abilities fundamental to academic success in health sciences programs such as the collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program delivered by Durham College and Ontario Tech University (Ontario Tech), as well as other health science-related programs at the advanced diploma or degree level. This two-semester program is specifically designed for individuals looking to develop their knowledge and skills in communications, mathematics, biology, general and organic chemistry, physics or critical thinking so they are well-prepared for the rigors of their next academic program. In addition, the program provides students with the opportunity to learn about potential careers in the health sciences and identify other programs focusing on the biological or chemical sciences that will enable them to achieve their career objectives.

This joint Durham College (DC) and Ontario Tech University (Ontario Tech) diploma-to-degree program will enable you to earn two credentials in only four years. Experience the best of both learning environments while on the journey to a rewarding career in finance. Build a solid foundation in business as well as training in various areas of financial planning, investments, and life and health insurance, using the latest technology in combination with the most current business and IT trends.

Students will be prepared to write the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI) Global Education Inc. exam, the professional designation of Chartered Financial Analysts, the Canadian Investment Funds Course (CIFC)® exam to be eligible for mutual fund licensing, as well as the Canadian Securities Course (CSC)® exams to be eligible for a securities license. The external industry licencing exams, fees and the requirements for each designation/certification are set by the granting body, not DC or Ontario Tech. In order to qualify for any of these designations/certifications, students need to follow and meet the required processes.

Regardless of industry, supply chain and operations management is at the heart of every business, which is why the skills developed in this program are in such high demand. Faced with an increasingly global business world, employers are actively seeking our Supply Chain and Operations Management graduates for their job-ready skills in complex problem solving, analytics, decision-making and communications. Students with an interest in business who enjoy making things better and are drawn to the idea of no two work days ever being the same will thrive in this field. Graduates enter the workforce ready to take the diverse, exciting, and rewarding career opportunities that are currently outpacing the professionals available to fill them.

In this program, you will develop knowledge of business processes and management tools to develop demand forecasts; evaluate suppliers’ capabilities to ethically source purchased goods and services; use technology, including SAP® and Microsoft Excel; and develop supply chain plans and schedules to efficiently produce goods or services that meet quality expectations and the needs of the global markets. You will also learn industry-standard practices including Six Sigma, Total Quality Management, Just-in-Time, and Lean Principles. Led by knowledgeable faculty with strong ties to industry, this program also provides many opportunities for real-world learning experiences through the design of the curriculum. You will have the opportunity to earn a globally recognized credential – Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Excel Certification to help you stand out to employers in a competitive market.

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop. For specific hardware and software requirements for this program click here.

Supply chain and operations management is the core functional area of any business. Supply chain and operations managers obtain, develop and manage the resources required to deliver goods and services to clients. This includes contributing to key decisions involving:

• Purchasing/Procurement
• Operations planning and scheduling
• Supply chain management
• Quality assurance
• Facilities management
• Inventory management
• Transportation, distribution and logistics

As more organizations rely on data to drive corporate planning and decision-making, increasingly sophisticated business intelligence and data tools are being used to meet the need for extensive data collection and manipulation. This allows industry to quickly respond to organizational and market opportunities. The Data Analytics for Business Decision Making graduate certificate will prepare you for a career in this high-demand area by teaching you the knowledge and skills that you need to support real-world business decision-making and planning through data insights, data management and data science.

Our well-equipped microbiology, chemical analysis, product development, and food processing facilities provide our students with hands-on experience in the methods and instrumentation used in the food science, cosmetics, natural health product, and cannabis industries.  Our students learn the theory of and perform experiments mirroring industry procedures and protocols to ensure they are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to work in these high-demand industries.

During placement, students have the opportunity to gain experience at partner organizations, including food manufacturers, microbiology laboratories, analytical testing facilities and ingredient suppliers.

Graduates are employed in both the public and private sectors including:

• Bakeries, confectioners, pasta and snack food manufacturers
• Brewers, winemakers and beverage manufacturers
• Dairy, meat, seafood and canning processors
• Food additives and flavour manufacturers
• Government agencies
• Packaging, ingredient, and equipment suppliers
• Consumer health products manufacturers
• Research establishments and universities
• Third party testing labs

This program has broad career prospects and a graduate may become a(n)

• Food safety technologist
• Quality assurance technologist
• Quality control technologist
• Microbiology technologist
• Food or cosmetic manufacturing technologist
• Food product development technologist
• Instrumentation technologist
• Analytical Chemist

Do you have a passion for the beauty industry and possess a creative, artistic spirit? The Cosmetic Techniques and Management program will prepare you to be a leader in the cosmetics, personal care and fragrance industries, giving you the competitive edge you need to launch a successful career.

Experience weekly hands-on instruction in state-of-the-art lab facilities, where students learn practical make-up application techniques using a comprehensive professional student kit. Working alongside experienced faculty, you will create a range of cosmetic applications, including make-up for special events, media, photography, as well as period, airbrushing, creative and special effects application techniques.

Foundational concepts are also at the core of the program to develop as an industry professional, where students experience training in areas ranging from colour theory and skincare analysis to communication and client consultations. Recognizing that cosmetics is an ever-growing billion-dollar industry, the program takes a holistic approach that emphasizes important business skills and entrepreneurial training. A strong focus is placed on meeting industry professional standards, including teaching best practices and protocols in infection control. Students also have the opportunity to collaborate with a professional photographer in their final semester and develop their portfolio of work to assist with obtaining future job opportunities.

Our expert faculty and program team have diverse training and industry experience, ranging from fashion, beauty, fine arts, fragrance, and creative special effects, as well as cosmetics retail and event management. Faculty have represented prominent luxury cosmetics brands and have also had their special effects work featured on Breakfast Television for Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland.

You will complete a field placement to complement your in-class learning as well as gain hands-on experience overseen by expert faculty and the Spa Manager, while working in the fully operational Durham College Spa.

Water is a life source that millions of species depend on for survival. As a water quality technician, you will work towards keeping water safe for consumption and for its return to the environment through proven treatment methods. Distribution and collection methods will also be examined. As part of this program, you will complete the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks entry-level Drinking Water course and may also challenge the four Ministry operator-in-training exams (water treatment, wastewater treatment, water distribution and wastewater collection) for an additional fee. This program also offers you the opportunity to add to your skills and knowledge with real-life work experience gained through either a field placement or a co-operative education (co-op) experience

Program Details
Public health depends on the superior management of water quality and a team of professionals is required to ensure safe water for residents of Ontario. The Water Quality Technician program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and practical skills to work in water and wastewater treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection and environmental monitoring.
You will receive the specific education required to develop the skills needed to meet the demands of municipalities with water and wastewater treatment systems, water-use industries and environmental monitoring agencies.
Classes will be delivered at both the Oshawa and Whitby campuses, depending on the semester and year. This enables students to utilize various applicable lab resources. Students will be notified in advance when they register for classes.
You will focus on:

• Engineering concepts
• Environmental quality
• Professional responsibility relating to co-workers, the public and regulators
• The impact that water quality has on human health

Targeted skills development includes:

• Chemistry and mathematics related to water quality, treatment and analysis
• Conflict management, problem solving and effective communications
• Emerging pathogen risks and public health concepts
• Hydrology
• Knowledge development in the areas of operation of water and wastewater systems
• Microbiology
• System design concepts and blue print reading
• Sampling, laboratory techniques and data interpretation

Co-operative education (Co-op):
The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals. Similar to an academic course, work terms are a mandatory component to this form of experiential learning.
Students in the Water Quality Technician Diploma program will be invited to apply to the co-op option during their first academic semester. Entrance to the co-op option is limited and the processes for securing a work term are competitive.  Students who qualify for co-op will be eligible to complete a four-month, paid work term between the second and third semesters of their program.
Supports are available through the Co-op office to assist students with securing their work terms. In addition, the Co-op office is in contact with co-op students and their employers during the work terms to help with any questions. Upon completing the work term, co-op students return to campus to complete their final two academic semesters of the program before graduating.

In this program designed specifically for applicants with existing academic credentials, students with a degree in science can expand their knowledge of the biotechnology industry and complete their Biotechnology advanced diploma in fewer semesters. Biotechnology touches a broad range of industries including health, pharmaceuticals, food production and agriculture. The discipline has created knowledge and products essential to our continued livelihood such as vaccines to prevent disease, pest-resistant plants, environmentally friendly biofuels and improved detection of diseases.

Graduates of the Biotechnology – Advanced program are competitively qualified to work in a range of industries including those focused on food, the environment, pharmaceuticals, natural health products and cannabis. Learning within state-of-the-art labs using industry-grade equipment, students learn how living organisms or parts of living organisms can provide new methods of production and development of new products in a range of industries as well as the regulations which govern the use of these techniques. Our courses are rooted in real-world applications and our extensive analytical instrumentation lab provides practical, hands-on training. Students graduate with a strong base of theoretical knowledge and practical skills to draw from in their future careers.

From recruitment and selection to training and development, a career in human resources (HR) requires a focus on both strategy and people. Skill, knowledge and ability in human resource planning, occupational health and safety, compensation, hiring, employee development, labour relations and managerial accounting enable HR professionals to contribute to business success in an increasingly competitive global marketplace while looking after the organization’s most important asset – its employees.

As a successful graduate of this program you will qualify for approved credit towards the academic component of the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation granted by the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA). Students who receive an average grade of 70 per cent in these courses and maintain a minimum grade of 65 per cent in each course meet the coursework requirements to write the Comprehensive Knowledge Exams – a significant step towards becoming a CHRP. Please visit www.hrpa.ca for full details.

Human resources (HR) professionals work in partnership with business managers to take care of the company’s largest asset – its employees. To help a business run, HR staff provide advice to department supervisors on a range of employee relations issues, design and deliver a range of programs and services focused on individual and team needs, and create company policies that support and promote a workplace culture based on fairness, equity and personal growth.

As a successful graduate of this program you will qualify for approved credit towards the academic component of the Certified Human Resources Professionals (CHRP) designation granted by the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario (HRPAO). Students who receive and average grade of 70% in these courses and maintain a minimum grade of 65% in each course meet the coursework requirements to write the Comprehensive Knowledge Exams – a significant step towards becoming a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP). 

You will acquire skills in the effective use of industry-standard software and learn from professors who are connected to the industry. As a student, you will have the opportunity to interact directly with industry professionals and to participate in hands-on learning opportunities such as case competitions and either a field placement or co-operative education (co-op) experience.

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program are required to purchase their own laptop.

Human resources (HR) professionals serve as strategic partners in today’s business environment. They work closely with management colleagues at all levels of a company on a variety of project-based and proactive initiatives. Many roles are performed by HR professionals including the following:

• Advocating on a variety of staff issues
• Developing and implementing company policies, procedures, programs and services
• Giving advice and counsel to corporate executives, line managers and employees

This program will develop your skills, knowledge and abilities in the following areas:

• Compensation management and performance appraisals
• Employee and labour relations
• HR planning and training and development
• Managerial accounting
• Occupational health and safety
• Recruitment and selection

Co-operative education (co-op):-

The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals. Similar to an academic course, work terms are a mandatory component to this form of experiential learning.

Students in the Business Administration – Human Resources Management Advanced Diploma program will be invited to apply to the co-op option during their first year of study. Entrance to the co-op option is limited and the processes for securing a work term are competitive.  Students who qualify for co-op will be eligible to complete a four-month, paid work term between the second and third years of their program.

Supports are available through the Co-op office to assist students with securing their work terms. In addition, the Co-op office is in contact with co-op students and their employers during the work terms to help with any questions. Upon completing the work term, co-op students return to campus to complete their final two academic semesters of the program before graduating.