There is no denying a worldwide boom in post-secondary education. This development has lead to: higher earnings and better living conditions for those people with a college education. The importance of participating in college programs also reflects in a person's personal life. They are more knowledgeable, more confident, respond better to crises and have higher self-esteems. Let's look at specific reasons why a college education is extremely important today.

Money makes the world go round, and with a college education, you have a better chance at earning more of it. According to the United States Census Bureau, the average income for workers over the age of 18 is as follows: without a high school diploma: $26,277, with a high school diploma: $35,725, with a bachelor's degree: $57,220 and with a Master's degree: $71,530.

On a similar note, participating in college programs also offers you to security and piece of mind. Many experienced adults who lose a job have problems finding another because they don't have a college diploma or degree. Having a college education guarantees an employer, in perhaps an even bigger job market, will consider your application should you lose a job.

Aside from financial stability, attending college programs also provides you with more knowledge and the people you meet. A college education gives you a chance to not only takes courses in your chosen field but also to study other course, often called "liberal studies" that allow you to explore other areas of interest just as history if you're studying journalism or sociology if you're studying architecture. In addition, a college education allows you to develop your writing and speaking skills and the ability to express your ideas. You'll also benefit from the people you encounter during your college education. That's because you'll have the opportunity to learn from them, see how they study and apply those techniques for the rest of your life.

You may be wondering where you can obtain a college education that will translate into immediate success. There's no better place than Toronto's Centennial College. Established in 1966, it is Ontario's first community college. With four campuses and seven satellite locations, Centennial College offers some 200 (plus) programs that range from two semesters to four years. It is also recognized as one of the most culturally diverse post-secondary institutions in the country. This guarantees that you will meet and network with a very wide range of people who may be able to assist you with finding your ideal job upon graduation.

So what sort of college programs can you study at Centennial? There are several Schools within the college, including: School of Advancement, School of Business, School of Communications, Media and Design; School of Community and Health Studies, School of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Transportation, School of Hospitality Tourism and Culture; and School of Continuing Education. Within these schools are career-oriented programs that emphasize practical experience with laboratory learning, industry and agency placements, as well as co-op education.

Working to help developmentally and physically challenged people to obtain the skills they need for a certain level of independence can be challenging but very rewarding. The highly trained people who work in this field are Occupational Therapist Assistants/Physiotherapy Assistants. What is the difference between the two and how are they the same?

Both occupational therapy assistants and physiotherapy assistants work under registered occupational therapists and physiotherapists. In addition, they both work with people who have lost their ability to function because of an injury, the aging process or a developmental or emotional disability. Other shared tasks include: conducting initial interviews with patients, carrying out observations, updating client records, supporting clients in reaching their goals, assisting with physical activity and exercises, and keeping work areas tidy. So where do the differences come in? Physiotherapist assistants focus on large motor functions such as strength, balance and range of motion. Meanwhile, occupational therapist assistants deal with treatment that helps individuals improve their ability to perform daily activities, such as dressing or feeding themselves.

To get started in your path to a rewarding career, Occupational Therapy University - Centennial College offers a two-year Ontario College Diploma program entitled Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant. To apply for the program, you must possess at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, students must have completed the compulsory English 12C, or U or skills assessment, or equivalent and Biology 11C or U or equivalent. Please note that, possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission

The Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant program offers students high academic standards, personal attention and the opportunity to develop skills in an environment equipped with a wide range of tools used in industry where labs are part of everyday teaching. Among the courses that you will take are: The Health Care System, Normal Function and Movement, Issues in Health Aging, Disabling Conditions, Human Lifespan Development and much more. These courses will enable you to develop knowledge in order to assist clients with self-care, movement, function and participation in leisure activities. Additional areas of instruction and development include: respect and caring for the uniqueness of individuals, effective communication, critical thinking, and decision-making.

Aside from in-classroom learning, students participate in a fieldwork experience that provides the opportunity for application of skills in a clinical setting with a range of clients. In addition, they also have the opportunity to network, learn from seasoned professionals and be completely prepared for the field. However, there are important Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant field placement requirements before students can be sent out. These include possession of CPR Level HCP (Health Care Provider) and standard first aid certification, a clear vulnerable police check prior to semester 2, immunization review form and completion of a mask fit test.

From providing comfort and emotional support while tending to patients' practical needs and offering basic bedside care or medications to completing charts, checking vital signs and keeping track of intravenous therapy, nurses do it all. They look after patients of varying ages, religions, professions and physical injuries or physiological problems. To be eligible to practice as a nurse in Canada, there a few education options. No matter what option is right for you, you must study ecology, environmental biology, anatomy, and physiology. The training in these areas varies in length and helps you to achieve different titles such as Nurse Practitioner, Registered Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse and Licensed Practical Nurse.

Toronto's Centennial College offers a wide range of nursing program options for everyone from high school students wanting to enter the field to internationally trained nurses or those who want to earn a Bachelor of Nursing Science before pursing their career. Before applying to any of the programs, please make sure you check Centennial College's website for prerequisites.

The first three options are "bridging" programs. The first of those three is Bridging to University Nursing. It takes two semesters to complete. The program is designed for Registered Practical Nurses who want to obtain a BScN in about three years. As with all nursing programs at Centennial, curriculum for the "bridging options" is based on the College of Nurses' Standards of Practice for Nursing and Entry to Practice Competencies for Ontario Registered Nurses. It combines theoretical knowledge with clinical setting courses that emphasize ethics, professional practice, health assessment and more. With the Bridging to University Nursing program there is a focus on caring for individuals, groups and communities in both the acute mental health and community settings. The second option adds an extra semester to learning and is called Bridging to University Nursing (Flexible). The last bridging option is the Bridging to University Nursing — IEN program and it is for internationally educated nurses.

Another program for internationally educated nurses is the Practical Nursing Fast-track Bridging Program for Internationally-Educated Nurses. It is three semesters in length, including 15 weeks of consolidation experience. This serves as an academic pathway to meet the needs of internationally-educated nurses who are interested in working as Registered Practical Nurses in Canada as well as RPNs who hold a certificate but wish to upgrade to an Ontario College Diploma or RPNs who have been out of practice for 10 years or less and need a refresher course.

There is also the Nursing (BScN) program, which is eight semesters and earns students a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It is completed in collaboration with George Brown College and Ryerson University, with students taking both the college and university level courses. An option for those who already have a college diploma is the PR – Perioperative Nursing program, which is 400 hours and results in an Ontario College Graduate Certificate. The Perioperative program prepares students to be practitioners.

The most common area of nursing is Practical Nursing. Centennial meet the need for nurses in this arena with its Practical Nursing and Practical Nursing (Flexible) programs, which are very similar. The Practical Nursing program focuses on the newest skills in the field. Students have access to well-equipped labs and professionals who teach the theory component. At the end of their training, students are deemed Registered Practical Nurses and take care of more stable patients. They often work in settings that include operating rooms and clinics. The curriculum for the Practical Nursing (Flexible) program is the same, except that it is offered in a six semester, three-day-per-week flex format. This allows you to meet personal and other commitments and is ideal for those already working part-time in the workforce.

The reason for so many program offerings may very well lie in the statistics. There is a severe shortage of nurses being predicted for 2011 by the Canadian Nurses Association. According to the Association, the shortage could mean that from 59,000 to 113,000 nurses will be needed. Centennial College is being active in getting professionals trained and ready for this rewarding field.

Centennial College is preparing students for a wide range of careers in various police and military forces or in the field of security and related occupations through its Police Foundations program. This two-year undertaking results in an Ontario College diploma, and is carried out through a paramilitary style of training.

The admission requirements of the Police Foundations program reflect the serious nature of the undertaking and the careers in which graduates are employed. First and foremost, applicants must possess at minimum an Ontario Secondary Diploma or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. In addition, they must have compulsory English 12C or U credits or skills assessment or equivalent. English proficiency will also be considered and a program information session may be required. Applicants should also know that some program experiences might require a criminal reference check.

In addition to these standard Centennial College requirements there is a host of essential necessities that are typical in policing. Students should have no criminal record, must possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and must have valid first aid and/or CPR certification. In addition, there are physical requirements such as: vision checks, standard normal hearing, physical fitness and readiness for the Physical Readiness Evaluation for Police (PREP) test. Lastly, applicants for police services careers in Ontario must be able to pass a security clearance, background investigation and credit and reference checks. For full details, please check out Police Foundations admissions page.

Once you have been accepted to the program, you will find that courses simulate real life and case studies are constantly incorporated into lessons. Courses within the Police Foundations program include: Principles of Ethical and Moral Reasoning, Professional Police Standards, Criminology for Policing, Current Criminal Justice, Youth Conflict with the Law, and many others. A highlight of the program is the Police Prep component that prepares students for all the required testing to become part of Canada’s police force. The training results in graduates being able to: withstand pressure, communicate effectively, act as problem-solvers and help people in the community. In addition, they have knowledge of current law enforcement methods, conflict resolution techniques, criminal proceedings, community policing principles and the experience necessary to carry out decisions that can be applied in further police training. Overall, the Police Foundations Program is a great way for students to get their foot in their door of policing.

Child and Youth Workers are essential in helping children, youth and families to grow and develop, within a wide range of therapeutic contexts. In fact, agencies (including residential, day treatment, community-based and young offender programs, hospitals, crisis centers and shelters as well as schools) that work with youths and their families are seeing an increasing need for professionally trained people in this area.

At Centennial College, students of the Child and Youth Worker program spend three years learning the ins and outs of this sensitive-natured profession. In order to apply, the school expects applicants to present at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or be 19 years of age or older. Also required are compulsory English 12C or U or skills assessment or equivalent. Lastly, English proficiency will be considered and a program admission session will be required. Possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the Child and Youth Worker program at Centennial College.

In order to be successful in the Child and Youth Worker program, you must be dedicated to the theory and hands-on practice offered in the undertaking. Working with a highly supportive faculty, you will learn from a curriculum that is annually reviewed and revised. Courses such as Principles of Psychology, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Working with Traumatized Children and Youth, Child Abuse and more can be found in the program. Through these courses, students learn principles, philosophies and characteristics of relational child and youth work practice such as co-creating relationships, working developmentally and understanding professional boundaries. In addition to the in-school sessions, the Child and Youth Worker program provides the opportunity for students to participate in three field placement that not only allow you to apply what you have learned but also to discover the different settings available to you in the field.

Due to the sensitive nature of the Child and Youth Worker field, Centennial College requires students to have a vulnerable sector criminal check prior to field placement. Certain criminal convictions will disallow placement in these agencies and program completion may not be possible. Students must also possess a standard first aid and heart saver AED (C) certification. Lastly, for placement, a medical certificate of health is necessary to ensure freedom of communicable disease.

Upon graduation, students are in high demand, with yearly salaries ranging between $32,000 and $43,000. In the field, child and youth workers have a number of jobs. First and foremost, they must develop and maintain therapeutic, yet professional relationships with clients that promote wellbeing and facilitate positive change. This entails designing and implementing strategies that work for the child and his or her family in a safe way. In addition, child and youth works perform safety inspections or emergency procedures, if for example, they work in a young offender program as well as looks for signs of abuse. Lastly, child and youth workers have administrative duties such as documenting, keeping neat files of client records and testifying in court if necessary.