Diploma in Fashion Business Industry

at George Brown College - Casa Loma Campus Canada

The International Fashion Management program is a one-year graduate certificate program* designed for the student or industry professional with a serious interest in the international apparel business.

The program provides you with the skills essential to succeed in the global apparel market. As new communication technologies make the world a smaller place, more possibilities for the fashion industry emerge on an international scale, along with many related career opportunities.

You are exposed to world trade through the study of economic, legal and cultural factors that affect international trade policies. Specifically, the focus of study is on the understanding of business practices, global marketing, logistics and supply chain management as they relate to the fashion industry worldwide. The program content combines analytical and management skills, along with knowledge of world culture and understanding of the global economy, to enable success in the international apparel industry.

Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Manage processes relating to the international movement of apparel goods according to supply chain and logistics principles.
• Identify the knowledge of international trade and licensing agreements required to perform import, export and source functions in an apparel business operation.
• Analyze global economics and geopolitics to inform selection of international apparel business partners.
• Research and create a global marketing plan to support international apparel business strategies.
• Develop culturally appropriate strategies and techniques to communicate successfully in a global apparel business environment.
• Select current business practices, research methods, analytic techniques and tools required to conduct apparel business operations in a global context.
• Practise business ethically by applying principles of environmental, economic and social sustainability to domestic and international apparel operations.

The Jewellery Essentials program provides you with the skills and techniques necessary to begin a career in the jewellery industry. You will learn to saw, file, solder, grind, polish and finish metals including copper, brass, silver and gold. Fabrication and centrifugal casting techniques will be used to create jewellery pieces to high standards.

The Honours Bachelor of Technology (Construction Management) program provides a dynamic curriculum that integrates theory, applied research, field study and hands-on practical education. Recognizing that today’s successful construction manager must possess both technical and managerial competencies, the curriculum combines studies in construction science and technology with studies in business and management methods as applied to construction.

Students obtain the knowledge and skills to manage the functions and processes of construction projects from start to finish. They master construction-related technical disciplines and soft skills that are critical to completing projects on time and within budget. Graduates of this program are entitled to the academic credential designation of Hons. B.Tech. (Construction Management).

The Honours Bachelor of Technology (Construction Management) program is well recognized by the construction industry and is fully accredited by the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Graduates of this program are qualified to obtain professional memberships in various construction management associations. Professional memberships are based on the candidate’s education, training, and work experience.

With the completion of this degree program, graduates will have satisfied all academic requirements for professional membership of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS), and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Memberships in these associations must be applied for separately.

Graduates also qualify to obtain their Gold Seal Certification (GSC) offered by the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) to become certified Superintendents, Estimators, Project Managers, Construction Managers, and Construction Safety Coordinators.

Your Field Education Options
WORK TERM

An integral component of the Honours Bachelor of Technology (Construction Management) degree program is a mandatory field study or Work Term offered in the Spring/Summer of the third year of the program. The Work Term is jointly facilitated through the Angelo DelZotto School of Construction Management and the Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies (CCET)’s Industry Liaison Office (ILO).

Prior to the Work Term, students participate in job preparation courses that cover areas such as workplace communication practices, resume writing, job search strategies and interview practice to enable them to communicate clearly and effectively. In the field settings, students practice team-building, managing, and tracking project resources, analyzing project performance, preparing technical proposals and reports, and improving their construction project management skills.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 14 weeks of full-time work experience, or part-time equivalent of no less than 420 hours of verifiable work experience, in the field of construction management in order to fulfill the Work Term requirement.

Students are allowed to complete the Work Term requirement through the following pathways:

Field Placement: Students register in the Work Term course (TCOP 1001), secure field placement in a relevant construction field, obtain a minimum of 14 weeks of full-time fieldwork experience, or part-time equivalent of no less than 420 hours of relevant fieldwork experience, and pass the course.

Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR): Students who have prior work experience equivalent to the minimum requirement (that is, minimum of 14 weeks of full-time or part-time equivalent of no less than 420 hours of relevant work) can seek to complete the Work Term requirement of the program through the PLAR process

WORK/STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES

There is also a work/study abroad opportunity that will allow a limited number of students to complete one month of field studies at Shanghai Urban Construction College (SUCC) in China, including two weeks of studies and two weeks of work. SUCC is a multi-divisional college that serves 6,000 students with over 400 faculty members.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Use relevant media to communicate all manner of information related to a construction project.
  • Analyze the past performance of construction projects to predict and improve the execution of future projects.
  • Manage construction projects in a compliant, safe, ethical and sustainable manner.
  • Apply management tools and techniques to execute construction projects on time and within budget.
  • Recognize and value the diversity of opinions, processes, and approaches in executing construction projects.
  • Incorporate effective leadership strategies to develop high-functioning, multidisciplinary and multicultural teams and work groups.
  • Apply the principles and practices of leadership development and human resources to manage and develop people in the construction industry.
  • Analyze technical problems encountered in construction projects and develop appropriate solutions in accordance with the principles and practices of construction science and management.
  • Apply business, accounting and financial principles and practices to effectively manage construction project costs.
  • Apply the principles and practices of construction management in assessing the key performance indicators of construction projects.
  • Evaluate potential risks impacting construction projects and devise appropriate risk mitigation strategies.
  • Create technical documents relevant to the design, procurement and execution of construction projects and manage documentation flow effectively.
  • Behave in a fair, ethical and responsible manner consistent with professional codes of conduct, laws, policies and contracts.

The Jewellery Arts program focuses on goldsmithing techniques and design skills that are necessary to succeed as a jewellery designer and goldsmith. You learn all aspects of jewellery making – sawing, filing, soldering, casting and polishing, and the particulars of working with silver, gold and gemstones. You are required to utilize various design strategies and study the wide variety of jewellery forms open to you as a designer. Skills in the application of the creative process are important. Use of technology and fundamental jewellery business skills are integral to the program.

You are encouraged to work to the highest goldsmithing standards as you create jewellery with precious metals and gemstones. Projects are designed to advance technical and design skills, while at the same time permitting individual expression. An annual jewellery exhibition showcases graduating students' projects. Students have the opportunity to participate in numerous competitions, and to volunteer for and attend industry events.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
• Create jewellery items in copper, brass, silver and gold, using adept goldsmithing skills for employment in the jewellery industry.
• Apply specialized jewellery skills to industry standards to inform technique and design.
• Devise jewellery design solutions to meet client needs taking both material and process requirements into consideration.
• Construct finished jewellery pieces according to given designs.
• Produce technical drawings and illustrations to communicate jewellery designs as required.
• Select fabrication processes to optimize jewellery production.
• Contextualize jewellery according to historical and stylistic qualities to assess provenance, materials and method of production.
• Produce industry quality jewellery items using the lost wax casting process.
• Incorporate polishing techniques to produce market ready jewellery items.
• Differentiate gemstones and their properties as required in the jewellery industry.
• Follow ethic, security and business practices consistent with jewellery industry standards.
• Employ jewellery tools, equipment and materials in a confident and safe manner.
• Use computer software (CAD skills) to produce 2D drawings and 3D models of complex jewellery forms, and digital manufacturing technologies (CAM skills) to produce industry quality jewellery items.
• Produce a professional portfolio that documents attained skills, including jewellery and jewellery designs, for employment applications and marketing opportunities.

Apparel Technical Designers are the link between design and production as they transform a sketch into a full technical package ready for manufacturing a product in quantity. This one-year Apparel Technical Design graduate certificate program in Toronto prepares fashion designers with apparel technical design skills for positions in the apparel industry.

Graduates will have the skills to design and complete a collection using market research, trend analysis, and computer-aided drafting and product lifecycle management technology. Quality and costing analysis will inform design choices as the full product specification package is completed and collection projects are manufactured using appropriate and efficient manufacturing techniques.

Designers with solid patternmaking, grading, textile, illustration and construction skills will advance their knowledge to manage the complexity of writing detailed technical specifications, refining garment fit and sourcing components in pre-production, to achieve production-ready samples and technical packages. Graduates will attain the expertise required to anticipate and solve manufacturing issues, be able to maximize quality and minimize cost, consider sustainable options and be more prepared to launch future collections through experiencing the full cycle of designing and manufacturing a collection.

This program is part of our School of Fashion and Jewellery.

Your Field Education Options

• Field education is embedded in the program. Students will be required to connect with an industry employer where they can complete 160 hours of field education in semester three.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
• Conceptualize and design apparel collections using target market research to prepare for product development aimed at a target consumer.
• Develop production-ready patterns using computer software and grade, alter and create markers to prepare for manufacture of collection samples.
• Manage the steps of a product development process using product lifecycle management tools and software.
• Select source materials and manufacturing techniques to align with collection quality and cost requirements.
• Develop and communicate product specifications to minimize production time, cost and errors.
• Estimate manufacturing resources (e.g., labour, time and materials) to inform design decisions and schedule production timelines.
• Review and correct garment fit and apply adjustments to production patterns to ensure garment appearance and comfort ease allowances are appropriate to target market sizing specifications while maintaining design integrity.

Design can change the world. Architectural technologists are key members of a project team and play a vital role in turning conceptual design ideas into technical construction documents and practical, buildable solutions. This three-year program provides you with the essential knowledge base and fundamental skills required to work as an architectural technologist within the many companies and sectors of the architectural and construction industry. Performing tasks of a technical nature, you will be part of a team of professionals and tradespeople involved in the building design, construction and management process.

Looking to transition careers or fill in the gaps to gain advanced blockchain development skills?

This unique Blockchain Development program at George Brown College in Toronto focuses on designing and implementing decentralized applications by leveraging blockchain technology. The three-semester program is designed to also thoroughly cover full stack development to give potential students all the tools they need to succeed in this emerging and exciting field.

This program has been developed with the support of blockchain industry professionals and is taught in a full-time executive format of approximately 20 hours per week of study over a 26-week time period. Co-op and work integrated learning opportunities are available during the third semester of the program. It is the first certificate in blockchain offered by a Canadian college.

The skills you’ll learn include:

• Smart contracts
• Design patterns for blockchain
• Distributed applications (dApps)
• Full stack development
• Blockchain architecture, security practices, laws and regulations, and more

Your Field Education Options
During the third semester of the program, students may choose whether to apply for a Co-op position or take a Work Integrated Learning course which includes an industry-sponsored project.

To be eligible for co-op, a student must complete all Semester 1 and Semester 2 courses. As well, an overall GPA of 3.0 must be achieved.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Communicate essential concepts related to blockchain technology and its industry applications.
  • Implement best security practices for blockchain solutions.
  • Design cryptoeconomic models to solve business problems.
  • Design the architecture of decentralized applications and systems.
  • Develop decentralized applications leveraging blockchain technology.
  • Explain the legal implications, regulations, and industry standards that are relevant to blockchain technology.
  • Apply IT project management principles and best practices.
  • Contribute to the field and blockchain community through various open source projects, partnerships, and community involvement.

The Fashion Business Industry two-year diploma program at George Brown College's School of Fashion and Jewellery in Toronto gives students an introduction to all aspects of the fashion industry, from product knowledge to marketing and small business management.

The small to medium-sized business enterprise is a flourishing sector of the fashion industry and represents a great opportunity for entry into the fashion world. Smaller companies require employees who possess a variety of management skills to manage a business from the start-up stage to more developed business models. Students will be prepared for the roles and develop skills essential for the operation of a successful small fashion business. The entrepreneurial aspect of this program guides students through the process of developing a comprehensive business plan, which is essential to start a new business or manage an existing business.

Students will gain an understanding of textiles, garment construction, quality criteria and apparel merchandising. They will also learn to apply marketing, accounting, financial and other business concepts necessary for the decision-making they will encounter in their future careers.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Use basic apparel drafting and construction skills and industrial sewing machines to complete apparel products.
  • Use standard fashion industry computer software for business and for design development.
  • Manage daily operations, resources, visual merchandising and customer relationships to ensure profitability in a retail enterprise.
  • Develop a business and finance plan for a small apparel enterprise that reflects awareness of market conditions, resources required and cash flow.
  • Apply appropriate buying, merchandising and accounting practices to support small business operations in the fashion industry.
  • Apply supply chain management and logistics to operate a successful fashion business.
  • Develop, communicate and implement a marketing plan by combining marketing research, strategies and tactics.
  • Analyze economic, fashion and industry trends to make business decisions in small and medium-sized apparel enterprises.
  • Evaluate products by applying quality control processes to meet appropriate standards.
  • Identify textile materials, asses their suitability and compatibility, and select accordingly for end use.

The Cyber Security graduate certificate program at George Brown College is designed to meet the high demand for cyber security professionals and related IT security professionals across multiple sectors – including consulting services, finance and health care.

As a student in this program, you will begin with learning the theory and practical skills required to become a cyber security professional, including the differences and similarities between cyber security and hacking. You will learn about the primary attack surfaces (physical, social, electronic), methods for compromising the attack surfaces, and how to mitigate potential attacks.

In the third semester, you will learn advanced techniques in ethical hacking incident response. A capstone group project will provide you with an opportunity to showcase your skills and talents for potential employers. These skills include:

• Digital forensics and incident response management
• Ethical hacking and analyzing malware
• Delivering security training
• Applying cryptography

In addition to traditional technical skills, the cyber security professionals of today require many non-technical skills and talents, such as:

• Analytical skills
• Written and verbal communication
• Project and time management skills
• Interpersonal and conflict management skills

Students graduating from this program are prepared to help defend organizations from the many cyber threats, including malware, network attacks and data compromise. They will have the capabilities to monitor, assess and evaluate security risks and threats to physical and digital infrastructure, develop and implement security contingency planning, and lead the development of policies and procedures to ensure the mitigation of security risks.

This rigorous and comprehensive two-year Dance Performance diploma program provides you with the necessary skills to launch a career in dance. As a graduate, you will be a classical ballet and/or contemporary dancer with the professionalism, technical expertise and industry contacts required to pursue a career in dance. With a choice of specialty in classical or contemporary dance, students train in ballet, modern and jazz with studies in acting, vocal, repertoire and composition to elevate their overall performance quality and marketability.

There are two streams for students to specialize in either classical or contemporary dance:

• The Classical stream is for intermediate/advanced ballet students and includes more advanced training in ballet and pointe.
• The Contemporary stream is for intermediate-level ballet students and includes additional contemporary training and the option of less advanced pointe classes.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • Perform advanced classical ballet and modern dance technique in choreographed solo and ensemble productions.
  • Perform jazz dance technique in choreographed solo and ensemble productions.
  • Sing at an intermediate level using pulse, rhythm and metre in both solo presentations and chorus productions.
  • Create artistically expressive dramatic characterizations in a dance context at an advanced level in both solo and ensemble performances.
  • Present self professionally at auditions and in industry environments through resumés, biographical backgrounds, and photographs to advance artistic and career opportunities.
  • Develop self-knowledge and reflective practice to make informed artistic, pedagogical, personal development and career choices within the performing arts industry.
  • Apply pedagogical skills and concepts to educate students in the areas of ballet, modern and jazz dance training.