Certificate in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Techniques (HVAC)

at Durham College - Whitby Campus Canada

This program is unique in Ontario: our well-equipped microbiology, chemical analysis, pharmaceutical and food processing facilities provide our students with hands-on experience in the methods and instrumentation used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, natural health product, cannabis and food science 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, pharmaceutical companies, 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
• Pharmaceutical, cosmetics and 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)

• Analytical Chemist
• Instrumentation technologist
• Microbiologist
• Food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic manufacturing technologist
• Food product development technologist
• Food safety technologist
• Pharmaceutical technologist
• Quality assurance technologist
• Quality control technologist

Be part of one of the fastest-growing industry segments in the world. Hotels, resorts, restaurants, cruise ships, casinos, entertainment venues and conference centres are all benefiting from an increasing number of travelers from around the globe. Learn the essential operational skills and management techniques that employers value in this vibrant business. Explore the diverse career paths that are available to you, as you unleash your passion for customer service excellence and profitable hospitality business operations. The world of accommodation, food and beverage, travel and tourism is yours to discover.

The program focuses on the management of hotel, restaurant and tourism enterprises and is designed to provide you with a thorough foundation of the professional skills required to begin a career in these sectors. Given the hands-on nature of the hospitality industry, all courses are designed to provide you with active learning opportunities including labs for food and beverage preparation and service and front desk operations, along with numerous case studies and simulation exercises. Built on three key themes – profitable business management, exemplary customer service and an appreciation of sustainable hospitality management practices – each course will take you on an exploration of the various business aspects of the hospitality service industry, including:

• Catering
• Customer service
• Event planning
• Financial and human resource management
• Food service
• Hotel operations
• Marketing
• Restaurant operations
• Entrepreneurship

Teamwork, effective decision-making, critical thinking and leadership skills are explored in Year 1 and also emphasized throughout the second year of the program. You will also participate in a capstone course in Semester 4 designed to provide you with an opportunity to apply the skills you have acquired throughout the program as you operate a full-service hotel through a robust simulation program.

To develop a better affiliation with industry and further your skills, you will be invited to apply to the co-op option during your first semester. Qualified students will complete a four-month, paid work term in the summer between the second and third semesters of the program.  Students can also choose to complete an 80-hour field placement to gain work experience during their fourth semester.

The Hospitality - Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management program is offered at the Whitby campus, home of the college’s new W. Galen Weston Centre for Food. This incredible new learning environment provides access to state-of-the-art labs, classrooms and meeting spaces all designed to offer you the best possible learning experience.

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 starting in the Hospitality - Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management Diploma program in September 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.

The welding industry contributes more than $5 billion to the Canadian economy and employs over 300,000 individuals. Become a part of this booming field, and learn welding techniques and skills to ensure you’re fully prepared for the trade. In this program you will become skilled in multiple welding processes with additional learning in blueprint reading and metal fitting. You will also become familiar with metals and their unique properties, and enhance your hand-eye skills to work safely and effectively in the structural, pressure vessel and manufacturing industries. Whether you are preparing to build, create or repair, you will have the attention to detail and technical knowledge for a successful career in this high-demand skilled trade.

Additional features of this program include a ‘block programming’ delivery that allows students to complete their in-class hours in one of two sections either from Monday to Wednesday or Thursday to Saturday, and a welding capstone project in the fourth semester that challenges students to research, design, build and present a final project to their abilities and prepare them for the workplace.

This two-year program will provide students with exceptional welding skills sought by employers in the structural, pressure vessel and manufacturing industries. Students will learn from professors with vast welding experience to receive expert knowledge and practical skills that will foster their trade. This program will teach students to create and read blueprints; give them the skills of fitting metals and understanding their characteristics; equip them to work safely in the industry; and give them practical experience in weld shop and inspection methods. During the second year of this program students will manage a capstone project that will test the skills and knowledge they have learned, preparing them for a successful transition to the workplace.

This program provides an opportunity to introduce students to a field where employment opportunities are abundant, and also train them to meet the growing demands of the welding field. Students will learn traditional forms of welding such as gas metal arc welding (GMAW), flux cored arc welding (FCAW), shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), as well as Plasma cutting and Air Arc gouging.

Graduates will be prepared to work in the manufacturing and construction sectors with the skills and knowledge to find entry level employment opportunities in a number of areas such as welding shops, manufacturers of metal products, piping and structural contractors, automotive and aircraft manufacturers, repair and maintenance services, building and construction industries, railroad and railcar industries and wind turbine manufacturers.

You will learn to:

• Perform safe work practices in the welding trade in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and Regulations for Industrial Establishments.
• Prepare and interpret drawings that would typically be used in a manufacturing and/or fabricating environment.
• Perform all positions in shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, flux core arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding utilizing mild steel and structural shapes with various consumables as well as open root welding on plate and pipe in all positions using the SMAW process.
• Identify the applicable code(s) or standards to be used in conjunction with each specific fabrication activity.
• Learn to use fitting skills to control distortion and correction techniques as they apply to expansion and contraction forces.

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 Welding Engineering 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.

A machine can do many amazing things, but it can’t take care of itself. This program allows students to develop skills in the theory and practice of machine fabrication and maintenance procedures including the installation, service, repair and overhaul of industrial machinery. Graduates are eligible for exemption from all of the in-school requirements for IMM 433A apprenticeship training. Graduates will meet the Ministry of Labour’s Working at Heights training requirement.

This program will prepare you to become a maintenance mechanic or technician by exposing you to the manufacturing, production and maintenance needs of several different industries. You will develop skills in the theory and practice of machine fabrication and maintenance procedures with an emphasis on the installation, service, repair and overhaul of industrial machinery.

Successful completion of this program will enable you to:

• Work safely while performing maintenance functions in manufacturing or processing environments.
• Select, align and install a variety of mechanical power transmission components.
• Build pneumatic and hydraulic circuits following a schematic.
• Use precision measuring tools.
• Troubleshoot equipment and operate common machine tools (drills, mills, lathes and grinders) to repair or remake machine components.
• Inspect and repair centrifugal pumps and valves.
• Plan and safely perform rigging and hoisting operations.
• Join metals using oxy-acetylene and electric arc welding techniques.
• Read and interpret mechanical, electrical and fluid power prints and schematics.
• Use applied math to perform a variety of trade-related calculations.
• Design and interpret a conventional electrical relay ladder logic control diagram at a beginner’s proficiency level.
• Design and interpret a programmable logic control diagram using offline programming techniques at a beginner’s proficiency level.
• Explain the operation of AC/DC motor control systems.
• Wire up and test elementary circuits using the various devices described above.

Students wishing to challenge apprenticeship exemption exams are required to pay an examination fee.

Co-operative education (co-op)

The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it. Students will be invited to apply to the co-op option during their first year and entrance is competitive. Qualifying students will be eligible to complete a four-month, paid work term.

Accredited by the Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA), the Power Engineering Techniques – Fourth Class program is designed to introduce you to theoretical and practical aspects of power generation and plant operation. Theory taught in class will be applied through experiential learning in Durham College’s state-of-the-art registered Power Plant and electrical labs where students will learn to operate and maintain equipment in a safe and efficient manner while also gaining valuable hands-on experience. Students who successfully complete this program qualify for a nine-month reduction in steam time. In addition, students who pass their two TSSA tests and successfully complete three months of industry experience qualify for their Fourth Class Operating Engineer certificate of qualification.

The Hospitality industry is growing fast - so fast that the industry is bracing for significant labour shortages. Thousands of jobs will be available across Canada for people with the right education, skills and attitude. From the front desk at a hotel or resort, to a food and beverage service position at a restaurant or club, or customer service positions in a wide variety of businesses, there will be many outstanding opportunities. If you enjoy travel, meeting new people, and have a passion for being a part of an industry that makes people happy, Hospitality Skills is a great place to start.

The Hospitality Skills program will provide you with an introduction to hotel, restaurant and tourism operations and the knowledge and expertise required for an entry-level position in the hospitality field. You will have the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications related to food and beverage service and safe food handling.

You will learn how to

• Provide hospitality service in a professional manner in order to increase customer satisfaction
• Identify and describe the various sectors of the Canadian tourism industry
• Use basic calculations to assist with daily functions of a hospitality operation
• Assist in development and implementation of a hospitality operation’s marketing plan and materials
• Follow all relevant health and safety legislation and regulations
• Plan and implement personal and professional development strategies related to the hospitality industry
• Support daily functions of a hospitality operation using current technologies and computer applications
• Perform duties of an entry-level accommodation operations team member
• Explain theories of food and beverage service and perform basic service tasks

Students in this program will benefit from working and learning in Bistro ’67, a full-service, green-certified teaching and learning restaurant operated by staff and students. 

Qualified graduates of the Hospitality Skills certificate program may have the opportunity to continue their studies by completing a second year to obtain their diploma in Hospitality - Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management.

Don’t know if you want to provide heat, water or energy? Build machines or keep them running? Get a taste of the trades and see what suits you best! In this program, you will gain exposure to and experience in a variety of areas designed to help you choose a skilled trade or apprenticeship program. To assist you with firmly establishing a career within the skilled trades you will be introduced to:

• Automotive
• Carpentry
• Electrical
• Industrial maintenance
• Machining
• Plumbing
• Welding
• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) essentials

In addition, you will have an opportunity to rotate through different trades and gain hands-on, practical knowledge through theory and shop work in order to make a knowledgeable and well-informed decision on your future career goals.

Want to get one step closer to an independent career in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration? Perhaps you want to be the one to call the shots on a job site? The Gas Technician 2 program will give you additional knowledge in code requirements, propane fundamentals, system testing and troubleshooting so that you can challenge the Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA) for a license that will get you one step closer to a rewarding career.

Through theoretical and practical workshop experience, you will receive training in:

• Applicable code requirements
• Natural gas and propane fundamentals
• Pipe and equipment installation practice
• System testing and troubleshooting of a variety of residential and light commercial appliances used for both heating and hot water
• Introduction to metal fabrication
• Oil technician license

Health offices are increasingly complex, driven by technology and requiring strong administrators at the helm. As a student in this program, you will learn medical terminology and have a general understanding of anatomy and physiology. You will understand procedures required to operate a medical office and will be able to transcribe a wide range of medical data. You will understand the latest hospital information systems and know how to use them. You will learn from professionals who are current in their field and will have the opportunity to enhance your resumé with real-life work experience.

Classes in this program are offered in a compressed format on three consecutive days each week.

This program is designed to develop the skills required to perform administrative support in a wide variety of medical environments. You will gain a practical understanding and knowledge on topics including:

• A basic understanding of anatomy and physiology
• Confidentiality and privacy
• Medical billing
• Medical ethics
• Medical office procedures
• Medical terminology and transcription
• Electronic medical record software
• Patient management

With the medical field constantly changing and computers bringing new concepts and approaches to office procedures, you will receive training in computerized medical records systems, computerized Ontario Health Insurance Plan billing systems and other office equipment technology applications. This program will help you become a skilled and specialized professional that is comfortable with the latest technology and able to compete effectively in the workplace.

Health offices are increasingly complex, driven by technology and requiring strong administrators at the helm. As a student in this program, you will learn medical terminology and have a general understanding of anatomy and physiology. You will understand procedures required to operate a health care office and will be able to transcribe a wide range of health-related data. You will understand the latest hospital information systems and know how to use them. You will learn from professionals who are current in their field and will have the opportunity to enhance your resumé with real-life work experience.
This compressed program is delivered in four consecutive semesters, which means you are ready to graduate in only 16 months. Classes in this program are offered on three consecutive days each week.

Program Details:
Classes in this program are offered in a compressed format on three consecutive days each week.
The Office Administration – Health Services program is available in both a two-year format and a compressed (four consecutive semesters) option.
Please note: Students who choose the compressed, fast-track option will not have a semester off/summer break.

This program is designed to develop the skills required to perform administrative support in a wide variety of health care environments. Students will gain a practical understanding and knowledge on topics including:

• Basic anatomy and physiology
• Confidentiality and privacy
• Medical billing
• Health care ethics
• Health care office and hospital procedures
• Medical terminology and transcription
• Electronic medical records software
• Patient management