Diploma in Developmental Services Worker

at Lambton College - Sarnia Campus Canada

The Cyber Infrastructure Specialist program is a two-year program where students gain highly marketable technical, business, and life skills in the Information Technology field. The program enables students to become proficient in the practices and techniques used in modern IT environments. Throughout the program, students will gain technical proficiency in Microsoft Operating Systems, Linux Operating Systems, virtualization technologies, server administration, disaster recovery, configuration of networks and network services, and security from a user desktop to enterprise systems. 

Students also receive valuable training in several business-related topics such as project management, communication skills, leadership, teamwork, and IT service management. Students bring all these skills together by working on Request for Proposals (RFPs) to provide solutions to common IT projects. 
This program creates a unique, stimulating learning environment in which students can safely master current workplace behaviour, resulting in a smooth transition from education to employment. Opportunities are provided to present creative technical solutions to solve typical IT problems. Instructional methodology across all courses integrate discovery - learning techniques, real-life scenarios, and hands-on applications. Students apply their acquired knowledge and skills to industry-based cases, and projects. This is done through several collaborative team projects and a co-op term. 

This program prepares students for success when studying to write industry certifications for CompTIA A+ (PC hardware), CompTIA Project+, Windows Operating System, Cisco CCNA, and ITIL. Certification requirements are listed at microsoft.com, PMI.org and comptia.org.

Co-op Info
Co-op students have the opportunity to apply classroom learning to the workplace. Co-op placement opportunities help students gain valuable work experience that may assist them in finding permanent employment after they graduate. Students have access to our Co-op & Career Advisors who provide comprehensive co-op and career development services and resources for co-op students.

The Lambton College Interprofessional Practice - Gerontology, Ontario College Graduate Certificate focuses on preparing graduates to work interprofessionally to enhance their professional practice to care for aging adults and families who require complex and/or long-term care within institutions or in the home in Canada. In the program, students develop skills in collaborative patient-centred care and inclusive practice.

Program curriculum includes comprehensive patient assessment and team approaches to client and family centric care planning and delivery. Students also study various age-related changes in social, psychological and biological functions to evaluate the implications of these changes on individuals' ability to interact with their social and physical environments and on individuals' care needs.

As a culmination of program learning, students participate in both an interprofessional field placement within a community organization as well as a community project, which includes the completion of an associated capstone project research paper. Program curriculum along with real world experiences prepares graduates for employment in a range of Canadian work settings including senior centres, day and leisure programs, research and education services, retirement homes, long term care homes, group homes and home support services.

Ready for a career in protection, security and investigation? Come and train for this growing market with an all-encompassing education at Lambton College.

This program shares the first year of study with the Police Foundations program where students are introduced to a broad theoretical foundation in human relations and an overview of the criminal justice system. Second year of study prepares graduates for a successful career as a security professional in both the private and public law enforcement sectors. Students earn certification in Non-violent Crisis Intervention training from the Crisis Prevention Institute and Introduction to Incident Management System (IMS 100) from Emergency Management Ontario. An emphasis is also placed on rapidly changing technology, intelligence and analytics in the security industry.

Opportunities to apply theoretical learning in our new criminal justice lab, allows students to develop the skills necessary to deal with the wide range of situations security personnel face daily. Students gain volunteer hours and field-related experience with Lambton College's student-run Safe Walk program.

Lambton College's faculty represent a diverse representation of the security field from Border Services, police, security and other related professionals. This, coupled with small class sizes, will ensure students receive a highly successful educational experience.

Experiential learning opportunities include a field placement component that occurs in the fourth term of the program. Students combine theory and practice while working in a professional security environment. Placement also assists in clarifying career goals and developing interpersonal and professional skills appropriate to the student's practice. Eligibility is dependent upon the student maintaining a 2.0 grade point average (GPA). 

This accelerated program is designed to meet industry's future requirements for a skilled workforce. It provides the opportunity for a graduate with an Engineering Technology Degree, Engineering Degree, or Science Degree in Physics or Chemistry, to earn an advanced technical diploma in instrumentation and control within a shorter time frame than those registered in the Instrumentation & Control Engineering Technology program. The accelerated program is delivered in seven terms including three recommended co-op terms. The standard three-year Instrumentation & Control Engineering Technology program includes three co-op terms delivered in nine terms.

The program provides the theory and technical hands-on knowledge to operate, maintain and troubleshoot various control systems. These computer control systems can be used to control countless processes. Instrumentation devices (i.e. transmitters and switches) are used to measure process variables (e.g. composition, temperature, pressure, level, density, mass, flow) in a variety of industrial, commercial and residential applications. Final control elements (i.e. valves, dampers, heaters, electric motors, conveyors) are then used to modify the process to maintain control.

Students enrolled in this program will train in Lambton College’s newly renovated Centre of Excellence in Energy & Bio-Industrial Technologies. The Centre offers state-of-practice technology laboratories and infrastructure to support learning and research in next-generation technologies in collaboration with industry.The program labs replicate real-life manufacturing environments and the technologies developed can easily be scaled-up and transferred to an actual operating unit. Moreover, students in this program will have the opportunity to work in relevant industries within the three co-op terms.

Securing a Co-op
The job market for co-op is very competitive.  Students who have met the co-op eligibility are highly encouraged to actively participate in the recruitment process in the semester prior to their co-op work term. This includes, but is not limited to, attending all recruitment workshops, meeting with your program co-op advisor, regularly searching through the MyCareer Job Posting System and other job posting sites, networking; and contacting potential employers. The MyCareer Centre actively pursues employers, however there may be limited availabilities so students should seek out additional employers to secure their own co-op.

If a co-op position is not secured prior to the start of a co-op semester, students should meet with their program co-op advisor to discuss next steps.  Any student who secures their own position must contact their program co-op advisor prior to the start of employment to determine if this position is considered acceptable as a co-op and to complete the appropriate paperwork to register the co-op.  This is necessary in order for either the insurance to be put in place or for the employer to get a tax credit letter. For more information on securing a co-op, read the Co-operative Education and Internship Policy (2000-8-1).

Students enrolled in a co-operative education program pay a mandatory fee to cover the costs of employer relations development, job development, job-readiness preparation and co-op service administration. Payment of fees does not secure a co-op position.

The core values and beliefs behind the role of a developmental services worker include: service, social justice, empowerment, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. A commitment to these values guides the developmental services worker's behaviour in terms of his/her ethical responsibilities to individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, colleagues, and to his/her own professional competence.

Developmental services workers use leadership qualities and creative problem solving to facilitate natural supports, generic services, self-reliant decision making, and personal control for individuals of all ages who have a range of developmental and/or physical disabilities or mental disorders and their families in various work and community environments. Graduates recognize that barriers exist for people with challenges and that they have a role in facilitating the removal of such barriers.

Graduates recognize the interaction of the mind, the body, and the spirit in general health promotion and provide information to individuals to facilitate the setting and reaching of personal health goals. Through rich experiential learning opportunities, graduates acquire skills and knowledge relating to specific health concerns in their work environment. In addition, graduates respond to health-related issues by applying their skills and knowledge from required program courses.

With ever-increasing numbers of aging people requiring assistance to continue a full life and with changes to the way health care services are delivered, the need has never been greater for Occupational Therapist Assistants and Physiotherapist Assistants.

The Lambton College Occupational Therapist & Physiotherapist Assistant, Ontario College Diploma program will train students to help people of all ages as they strive to recover and regain functional independence from injury, trauma, surgery, or chronic health conditions or illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and mental illness. Students learn how to assist in implementing treatment plans that promote a client's independence in activities that are important to them.

This new and exciting program is being offered in the newly opened NOVA Chemicals Health & Research Centre. The unique program curriculum will engage students throughout a four-term program, as students learn how to assist clients to achieve their health goals. Students develop the ability to work with both professions as they focus their studies on occupational therapy and physical therapy education. The integration of in-class studies with hands-on experience is accomplished through rich experiential lab opportunities and practice in a variety of clinical fieldwork placement settings.

As with many other health-related fields, this program is suitable for compassionate, empathetic students who possess a concern for the well-being of others.

The Occupational Health & Safety Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate program is a multi-disciplinary program that is designed to encompass a broad range of knowledge in occupational health, safety and environmental management systems that are critical to an organizations success. This program provides students with a strong health and safety foundation by developing the competencies required for the effective development, implementation and evaluation of health and safety systems in occupational settings.

Emphasis is placed upon learning the application of legislation and recognizing, controlling and evaluation workplace hazards. This program will enable students to become leaders in health and safety by motivating proactive behavioural change. Students will anticipate and employ strategies to manage emerging health, safety and environmental issues while examining accident theories, emergency response planning, ergonomic principles, risk management principles and the promotion of workplace safety and wellness.

The Hairstylist program is offered over three consecutive terms, and provides students with a two-year Ontario College Diploma delivered in only 12 months. This pre-apprenticeship program includes 1,500 hours of hairstyling education: 510 hours of hairstyling theory and 990 hours of practice in hair cutting, styling, colouring and lightening, permanent waving, chemical relaxing and hair additions and trends. Students will also have the opportunity to study three general education courses.

A highlight and important aspect of the learning experience is the operation of the Salon & Spa at Lambton, a live practical lab where students practice hairstyling skills and salon business skills in preparation for salon management or ownership. Each week, students welcome clients into the salon and offer a variety of services. The array of services grows throughout the year as students develop their knowledge and mastery of hairstyling skills.

At any point, the student may be eligible to register at an apprenticeship branch of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development as an apprentice to complete 2,000 hours of in-salon apprenticeship hours. Once both components, in-school and apprenticeship (in-salon) hours have been satisfied, graduates are able to write the provincial Certificate of Qualification Exam for an additional fee. Upon successful completion of this exam they become licensed hairstylists. 

Looking for a program that leads to a rewarding career in accounting, that challenges students to develop valuable critical thinking and analytical skills, and has an option for a simple pathway to a university degree – then the three-year Business Administration – Accounting program is definitely the right fit for you! This program can lead to various pathways to professional accounting credentials that can be beneficial to career development and advancement. Graduates of this program pursue careers as managerial accountants, financial analysts, tax professional, auditors and small business controllers.

Students in this program receive a well-rounded and thorough education in important aspects of business such as human resources, law and marketing in addition to the comprehensive accounting courses taught by Lambton's accounting faculty who bring a wealth of industry experience and all hold the Chartered Professional Accountants designation. There is a focus on developing strong communication, planning, teamwork, and analytical skills while studying accounting theory and practice, financial statement analysis, cost management and control, taxation, and computerized accounting systems.

Experiential Learning Opportunities 
Because practical work experiences are vital, students are given the option to participate in a co-op work experience in term 5. This provides exposure to a business environment and valuable work experience in the accounting field. In the final year of the program students utilize all their knowledge, skills, and abilities gained over the duration of their program in the Entrepreneurship capstone courses. Through a series of culminating reports and presentations, students showcase their knowledge, skills and abilities to corporate partners who provide feedback and enhance this experiential learning opportunity.

Individuals with a passion for enriching the lives of young children will find support from Lambton College's caring staff as they gain the skills needed to become a knowledgeable, competent Early Childhood Educator. At Lambton College, we are proud of our reputation for excellence in encouraging our students to excel as educators.

This two-year program educates students to work effectively with young children in order to nurture childhood development and maintain healthy relationships with their families. Students are introduced to both theory and practice through technology enhanced classroom theory, and experiential learning in hands-on workshops and field practice. This combination gives students the knowledge and skills to work with young children aged 0-12 years in a variety of settings. Students graduate with over 600 hours of practical experience.

Students also have the unique opportunity to complete a placement in our on-site EarlyON Child and Family Centre. Our on-site Parent and Professional Resource Centre offers valuable resources for curriculum planning, research, and professional development.