Certificate in Pre-Technology

at Niagara College - Welland Campus Canada

Interested in discovering your untapped creative potential through strong design foundations focused on expressing creativity, design practices and practical, hands on skill development?
Earn credits for further studies in Niagara College’s Graphic Design program, or prepare a strong portfolio for studies in other design or art related programs.

Program Highlights:

• Immersive use of design and artistic methods, traditional materials and digital approaches.
• Applied learning using the latest studio and lab equipment including iMacs and Wacom tablets.
• Outstanding reputation for a hands-on educational experience.
• Learn from and network with industry experts and guest speakers.

Do you want to turn your interest in video games into a career and move your gaming ideas from concept to reality?
As a game developer you will be a leader of innovation in the digital game and interactive media industry.

Program Highlights:

• Explore, experience and develop skills in all major game development areas including; design, art, programming and production.
• Hundreds of hours of hands-on, applied learning in state-of-the-art computer labs with dual full HD monitors.
• Curriculum focused on game programming and scripting, digital art production techniques, game design principles and game production practices.
• Full access to industry leading programming, art, design and production game development tools.
• Practical individual and collaborative game development experience, culminating in a team project to conceive, design, develop and showcase an original game.

Do you like the news? Music? Sports? Do you enjoy being in the spotlight?
As a Radio or Television Broadcaster, you are as versatile as the evolving media industry platforms that you report from.

Program Highlights

• Introduction to the radio, television, and film industries including hands-on learning in music, talk and news radio, electronic news gathering (ENGs), and in-studio hosting.
• Broadcast 24/7 on CRNC The Heat available LIVE online at crnc.ca.
• Facilities include a radio production training lab, fully HD television studio, digital radio broadcast studio and a $1-million high-definition (HD) production truck.
• LIVE weekly TV magazine show broadcasted and streamed in conjunction with Television Production students.
• Immersive seven-week broadcast industry field placement.
• Students apply to Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film and select a program concentration during the first year of their program.

Do you thrive on finding solutions to computer hardware challenges and want to turn your passion into a rewarding career?
As a Computer Engineering Technician graduate your ability to quickly and effectively troubleshoot and implement computer system solutions will put you in high demand by employers in multiple sectors and industries.

Program Highlights:

• Establish broad knowledge and understanding in the latest networking, software, hardware and programming applications.
• Develop market-ready computer problem-solving skills that translate across many industries.
• Gain extensive hardware troubleshooting skills in computer systems support, electronics, digital, microprocessor technology and data communications.
• Qualified graduates may apply for Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) certification.

Do you enjoy working with the latest technology to create eye-catching, original designs?
As a graphic designer you will be an integral part of the communications team who thrives on transforming a concept or idea into an organization’s identity or brand.

Program Highlights:

• Hands-on, experiential learning in state-of-the-art design studios and computer labs equipped with iMacs and Wacom tablets.
• Emphasis on the theoretical and practical application of design principles.
• Over 1,800 hours of practical design studio and production experience.
• Graduates find employment in one of Canada’s largest industries in studios, ad agencies and in-house design departments working with photographers, illustrators, writers, marketing strategists, typographers and printers.
• Our new maker space houses traditional printing presses, metal and wood type, bookbinding equipment, silkscreen setup, laser cutter, 3D printer, large format printer/vinyl cutter—everything you need to bring your ideas to life.

Are you passionate about leading a healthy and active lifestyle and want to motivate others to join your movement?

Become a leader in the Fitness and Health Promotion industry. A combination of classroom, hands-on and placement experiences allow opportunity to develop skills to counsel, motivate and educate others on various components of a healthy lifestyle. Specific course work will prepare you to challenge industry certifications required to assess, prescribe and evaluate exercise programs for individuals and groups.

Program Highlights:

• 150 hours of practical work experience during two field placement opportunities.
• Experiential learning opportunities implementing health and wellness initiatives for community partners, Niagara College staff and students.
• Graduates may challenge nationally and internationally recognized industry specific certifications to become group exercise leaders and certified personal trainers.
• Upon graduation, pathways to further education through articulation agreements.

This program builds upon the foundation of mental health begun in pre-registration health care disciplines. It explores current issues and trends in mental health in Canada, current best practices in nursing and other health care professions for providing optimal care to clients with diverse mental health disorders across the lifespan, legal and ethical aspects of mental health care and the interdisciplinary approach to health care.

Program Highlights:

• Access to the Co-Curricular Record program, in which individuals gain recognition for student engagement, leadership and co-curricular activities pursued outside of the classroom.
• Experiential learning with standardized patients.
• Access to international student specific advisement and transition supports through the International Division

Do you see your future in the technology trades but need a little help narrowing down your field?
As a Pre-Technology graduate you will gain a solid foundation in math, physics, and computer applications, and will be ready to pursue further postsecondary studies in a technology or technician program.

Program Highlights:

• Explore areas of interest in technology before committing to a specific field of study.
• Benefit from individual educational support and planning with assistance from an academic student advisor.
• Gain marketable skills with the possibility of receiving transferable credits to other college programs.

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals with special needs and ensuring everyone reaches their full potential?
As an educational assistant or developmental support worker, you will be skilled and compassionate about supporting students and adults with special needs in a community or educational setting.

Program Highlights:

• Benefit from this unique college program and develop the knowledge, skills and abilities to work in educational and community settings.
• 400 hours of practical field placement experience in both educational and community settings.
• Graduates receive vocationally relevant certifications in Non Violent Crisis Intervention & Person Centred Training.
• Students have many professional networking opportunities through school boards and community agencies.

Looking for a career where you can put your investigative skills into action to protect an individual or organization?
As a graduate of the Protection, Security and Investigation (Private Security) program, your critical thinking and investigative skills will serve you well in effectively responding to potential threats to organizations or private citizens.

Program Highlights:

• Curriculum is taught by former police officers with extensive investigative experience.
• Gain practical, in-field experience via volunteer opportunities with local service agencies.
• Hands-on experiential learning takes place in the Justice Studies Simulation Lab.
• Students who successfully complete first year and the First Aid course are eligible to write the Ontario Security Guard licensing exam.