Diploma in Social Service Worker

at Lambton College - Sarnia Campus Canada

Environmental Technicians, specializing in water and wastewater, are in demand in Ontario for a variety of sectors including mining, the public service and private industry. The Environmental Technician – Water & Wastewater Systems Operations College diploma is a fast-track to qualification for employment as a licensed drinking water operator in Ontario. In addition, this program shares a delivery of courses with Northern College and as such, certain lectures will be delivered remotely via a virtual classroom.

Students enrolled in this program will train in Lambton College’s new 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 has an innovative delivery model, allowing students to graduate faster – in two years instead of three – by combining theory and practical systems operator experience, in conjunction with three co-op work terms.

Students can expect to be exposed to both operating water treatment facilities and pilot-scale systems during their studies. The conversion of raw water to safe drinking water is the goal and students are immersed in every step of the process.

The curriculum focuses on preparing students to write the Ontario Operator-in-Training examinations and the Drinking Water Operators Entry-Level Course through the Walkerton Clean Water Centre and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. In combination with the co-op work terms, graduates will obtain the practical experience required to graduate with a Class 1 Operator license.

The Chemical Laboratory Technician program will produce technically skilled problem solvers. Graduates will be prepared to assume entry-level positions in a variety of industrial, government or consulting organizations. The course of study includes hands on introductions to Laboratory Analyzers, Organic Synthesis and Biochemical and Microbiological techniques as well as an overview of key underlying theoretical principles.

The Lambton College Sport Business Management, Ontario College Graduate Certificate prepares graduates for careers in the exciting and ever changing sport business sector.

With a Canadian sport industry focus, the curriculum enables graduates to be leaders in management and operations in this exciting industry. The program’s curriculum prepares graduates with knowledge and skills in sport marketing, sales, sport sponsorship, event bidding and planning, facility operations, human resources, finance and administration. Experiential learning is built into the curriculum allowing students to apply skills and knowledge to projects with organizations and clients in the sport industry and expand their business leadership skills through collaborative team projects. Graduates may find employment in a variety of sport business professions.

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.

As the health care system in Canada evolves, the demand for Personal Support workers is increasing in long term care facilities, retirement homes, home care settings and hospitals. 

The Personal Support Worker program prepares graduates to provide care and assistance to clients of any age who have defined health care needs including help with their activities of daily living. Through theory classes and experiential learning opportunities, including simulation and clinical placements, the student will learn to make a difference in clients' lives by alleviating loneliness, providing empathy, ensuring comfort, encouraging independence, and promoting self-respect in all health care settings. 

As part of the program, students will also complete The Fundamental of Hospice Palliative Care Certificate and the Gentle Persuasive Approaches Certificate. 

The Lambton College Advanced Project Management – Environmental, Ontario College Graduate Certificate prepares graduates for careers in project coordination and management in a variety of industries including environmental science, environmental engineering, urban planning and human geography, sustainability, and building science.

The program aligns itself with the PMI® A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) - Sixth Edition, Project Management Institute, Inc., 2017 and heavily utilizes foundational standards and practice frameworks prescribed by the Project Management Institute (PMI). This guide is currently being revised to PMI® A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) - Seventh Edition, Project Management Institute, Inc., 2021. Faculty are monitoring changes and will incorporate the principles of the new guide as it becomes available.

Students are introduced to the initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, controlling, and closing to a wide range of projects that focus on the environment and sustainability. In addition, students expand their business leadership skills through collaborative team projects, and further develop negotiation and communication skills. The use of project management software tools within an environmental context will enable students to meet the challenging demands of these complex fields.

The Lambton College Biomaterials & Chemical Laboratory Analysis - Applied Science, Ontario College Graduate Certificate, two-year program provides focused, experiential education to meet the demands of the energy, advanced materials, cannabis and other natural health product industries. 

In this program, students study advanced concepts in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics and mathematics applied to chemical analysis and complex problem solving in a hands-on laboratory environment.

Students conduct tests and develop solutions to problems in analyses of raw materials, products, or environmental samples, synthesize organic or inorganic compounds and prepare reports and technical documentation related to chemical analyses. Within the laboratory environment, graduates implement, coordinate and evaluate quality assurance and quality control procedures, in accordance with international and industry standards and government regulations. The program prepares students to analyze natural products, energy and advanced materials for quality and contribute to research and development.

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.

This advanced diploma program prepares students to work in a variety of agencies and organizations concerned with the complex challenges of children, youth and their families. Child and Youth Care Practitioners utilize a relational approach, while working with children, youth and their families, building on strengths to facilitate positive change, promoting resiliency, independence and self-advocacy. The ability to manage stress, present in a professional and dependable manner, and work closely with others is key to succeeding in this field. This program is ideally suited for emotionally mature individuals with a strong desire to help children and adolescents in a time of crisis. Lambton College will prepare students for a rewarding and challenging career as Child and Youth Care Practitioner. 

Lambton College gives students a superior experience by providing three unique placement opportunities that can lead to future employment. Students enjoy small class sizes and personal attention, especially through experiential learning opportunities where academic subjects are put into practice in concurrent supervised field placements. Field placements require a police record check including a vulnerable sectors check.

Graduates leave the program with approximately 1,500 hours of field placement, a unique capstone experience and are eligible for full membership and certification with the Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care (OACYC), the Council of Canadian Child and Youth Care Associations (CCCYCA), as well as international certification with the Child and Youth Care Certification Board (CYCCB). Graduates also possess the knowledge and skills required to serve children, youth and families in school, residential, youth justice, hospitals, community, and mental health environments.

In this multi-disciplined program, students in the Lambton College Facilities and Property Management, Ontario College Graduate Certificate utilize existing related education or experience to learn and apply a variety of skills to help operate, administer and manage facility and property operations. In this program, students study the skills and knowledge associated with facility and property administration, including land use, property evaluation, financing, site administration and maintenance and owner/management relations. Students develop a foundation of business skills, including communications, accounting, human resources, relationship managing and marketing strategies that apply to the property facility and management industries of today.

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.