They keep us out of the dark. They keep our drinks cold and make our meals warm. They keep us connected to the internet, and up to date with the news of the world. They are electricians, responsible for tubular highways of wiring that lines the floors, walls and ceilings of our homes, schools, hospitals and airports. Whether crouched into tight corners or high up on electrical poles, the electrician's handiwork is all around us. Because of our ever-increasing dependence on the electrical world of technology, electricians will always continue to be necessary and successful. And because technology is always advancing, a career as an electrician will always present new challenges and never go flat.

Training

The training involved to become an electrician is thorough and rigorous, involving theoretical classroom education and hands-on practical experience. There is no better way to round off a good electrician course at a college than to take advantage of an apprenticeship program. While a college graduate can always begin seeking an apprenticeship or work experience on their own after graduation, the best electrician programs have apprentice placement programs as part of their college. If you are considering enrolling in electrician school, make sure to find out if your school has an apprenticeship program.

Construction Specialization

Another thing to be aware of when looking into schools is whether or not the school has more than one specific kind of electrician apprenticeship program. There are two major kinds of electricians one should be aware of before embarking on a career. The first is referred to as a construction or maintenance electrician. This person often works through contractors with small to medium sized teams of people in the construction, modification and repairs of residential buildings and smaller privately-owned commercial buildings. A proper training course and apprenticeship for construction electricians should include the legalities of electrical code, electrical theory, installation, and instrumentation. All of these skills are optimally learned with the real-world experience gained as an apprentice.

Industrial Specialization

The other kind of career path is the industrial electrician or institutional electrician. Industrial electricians usually work with much larger teams of specialists on bigger projects. These will often be major public and private works, like factories, mills, dams, and mines, and also public buildings like hospitals, universities and airports. Because of the larger scale of the projects and the use of public money for them, working as an industrial electrician will commonly require more permits and accreditation than a construction electrician. Getting a formal college education combined with an recognized industrial electrician apprenticeship program is a great way to make sure you have all the necessary qualifications.

Some things just can't be fully taught at school. For those who seek nothing more than worldly education found in books and on the internet, we have to be grateful to those who keep these institutions in power. If you are looking for something that combines a specialized knowledge as well as hands-on work, then an apprenticeship program for electricians will surely spark a great career.



Visit Mohawk College for more information on apprenticeship programs.

Medical education has come a long way over the years. The days of massive lectures in stuffy halls by tight-suited professors standing over preserved cadavers have given way to a variety of competitive and versatile training programs. More importantly, it is no longer only doctors who must undergo specialized education, but the increasingly important profession of nurses also requires intense schooling. There are many different kinds of training programs for nurses, from general bedside helpers to specialized assistants and personal care workers. Before thinking about what kind of nurse you would like to become, the first step is to consider what kind of education you want.

There are several teaching methods that give the nursing student a competitive edge when entering the professional world. One specific method of education that some schools offer which could be considered superior is known as the collaborative learning method. This is a special kind of learning methodology that really puts the student in a position of a continuous back-and-forth exchange with your teachers and your fellow students. It emphasizes an independent kind of learner who decides their own level of commitment to furthering their education. It is a feedback-based system where the teachers and instructors act more as facilitators through consultation with their students. This kind of learning method is very group-activity-orientated, where collaboration is key to the gaining and sharing of knowledge, while simultaneously fostering a great deal of independence in every student.

Collaborative learning can be used for many different kinds of professional training, but it serves nursing especially well. A nursing school that utilizes collaborative learning provides the future nurse with an advantage because much of this style of education is useful in a professional nursing career. A nurse is essentially part of a team, and in any team, collaboration is the foundation for good work. A nurse also exists in a respected hierarchy of medical staff, from doctors to medical assistants. Any well-functioning hierarchy relies on feedback between the levels to ensure optimal efficiency and the best results. Mostly, nurses must constantly rely on their own intuitive and independent decision-making skills. Collaborative learning, while based on a peer-sharing education, still gives students the complete independence that will serve them in their professions.

Old-fashioned degrees in nursing still exist where students get more of a classroom theoretical-style education with some hands on training as well. When comparing nursing courses, it is important to consider if you have what it takes to maximize your education by being simultaneously independent, a good group-worker, and being a student and a teacher at the same time. The right career begins with the right education. And when that career is such an important and gratifying career as nursing, you want an education that teaches you more than the basics, but one that teaches you how to teach yourself to constantly become the best nurse you can be.

Visit Mohawk College for information on studying at a school of nursing. 

The advancement of scientific research has helped improve the quality of human life in many ways, most importantly in terms of the medical industry, health, and well-being of our bodies and minds. For some, this work is mainly done in the laboratory, pondering into microscopes and toying with test tubes. For others, science has been the basis for a new technology that aids in diagnosing, controlling and curing sickness and disease. Finally, science serves as a background for a more direct relationship with the people who depend on it to feel better and get well. This branch of the medical industry is centered on the important work of nurses.

If you thought nurses were simply assistants to doctors and specialists, think again. The nurse requires a thorough scientific education before being able to practice health care and treat patients. It is true that nursing is one of the most diverse professional areas of the healthcare industry, and that some fields require more of a scientific background than others. If you are considering a career in nursing, you should be aware that the more scientific education you have, the more options will be opened up to you regarding the different fields of nursing. In Canada and the United States, getting a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN or BSN) is one of the highest levels of nursing education offered. 

When choosing a nursing program, familiarize yourself with the difference between a full Bachelor of Science as opposed to a Diploma. Both have their advantages; it depends more on what your post-training career goals are. The Bachelor is usually a four-year program, while the diploma is a two-year program. While the diploma often focuses mostly on bedside care, some of the additional things taught in the Bachelor program are nursing science, research, leadership skills and nursing informatics.

With the addition of these skills, the graduate can expect their school of nursing to lead to a wide range of career related domains, such as staff nursing, care management, management, research, and education.

Another thing to be aware of when considering applying for a BScN is what kind of prior education is expected to attain admission. Because nursing is such a challenging, rewarding and respectable career, many programs are competitive and have limited enrollment. Having several post-secondary credits in

pre-health departments such as biology, chemistry, mathematics and even English can help get your application to the top of the pile.

The wonders of science are amazing not just because of their elegant explanation of life, but because of the way they help people live longer, healthier and happier lives. Earning a nursing degree or diploma can get you a wonderful career as a nurse where science is at your service.



Visit Mohawk College for more information about nursing school. 

Distance education may seem like something new, but in fact it has been going on since the 18th century, where lessons were sent in the post on a weekly or monthly basis. The first university degrees to be granted through distance education were as early as the mid-19th century in England. Further developments in off-campus learning occurred in the ‘60s in the United States and Great Britain. Since the widespread use of personal computers and the internet, the idea of the 'virtual university' has become so common that by 2005 over 3 million students in the US were taking at least one course online. Today, almost every single university and trade school offers courses online, while there are also increasingly more schools popping up that do not even have a physical campus.

You might at first think that while distance learning is a great idea with many advantages, the type of education that can be achieved in this way is somewhat limiting. The question is, how many programs can be accomplished solely online without any loss to the quality of the education? The answer is larger than you might think.

In business, there are few programs whose online equivalents are not as equally sought out, if not more. Considering how today so much business relies on e-commerce, viral marketing and web-based customer relations, the budding business entrepreneur can benefit greatly from the independence fostered in distance learning. Many online programs include advertising and sales promotion, market research, entrepreneurship fundamentals, web marketing and courses in start-up innovation.

On the other side of the spectrum are the creative and visual arts departments. Many aspiring artists require their own unique work-space and methods to complete the masterpieces that forced group sessions might only hinder. Drawing and painting courses specifically can be shared and critiqued through online communities with instructors and fellow students, thus still encouraging a peer-review environment.

Computer courses obviously thrive in distance education because of their fundamental reliance on the medium of learning for the content of this kind of education. Programs can vary widely from business applications, computer graphics courses, technical support courses and webmaster programs.

You no longer need to travel to foreign lands to master a new language. Audio and video live-stream chatting is a great way to hone your communication skills, while reading and writing assignments can be easily reviewed and graded by professional instructors from all over the world.

Online learning is also very popular today with engineering technology courses. Beginning with the basics in mathematics and science, the distance learner can earn diplomas and certificates in architecture, geographic information, home inspection, and even occupational health and safety.

Aside from all of these specific business, technical and other trade-related kinds of programs, one can still engage in a traditional general education program online in the social sciences. The list of subjects is endless and as diverse as such subjects like art history, literature, history, sociology, psychology and political science.

These are just a few of the kinds of programs that are offered in an online setting. As the development of distance learning continues to grow from the postal service to your web provider, so can your education and career if you take advantage of today's technology.

Visit Mohawk College for more information on continuing education.

There is a long lived debate as to whether it was Sir Francis Bacon or Thomas Hobbes who first said “scientia potentia est,” or as we know it better in English, “knowledge is power.” Either way, both were extremely learned men. If knowledge is power, then the continuation of education is the best way to further empower yourself, whether to become smarter and worldlier, or as it is more common in today's society, to get ahead in life with a better career.

Continuing education is a very open concept that means many things. Some people believe it to mean simply 'adult education' whereas others see it as mostly a term referring to non-academic trade schools. Continuing education is not limited to either of these two, but in fact includes a variety of programs and courses that are taken at the post-secondary level. Continuing education takes place on university campuses, in laboratories and workshops, and within the comfort of your own home. It is certainly not limited to a general interest in the humanities just as much as it is not limited to hands-on experience in the service industry.

Some of the most common forms of continuing education are the following:

- degree credit courses by non-traditional students, such as part-time students or students without a high school diploma or equivalent

- non-degree career training, for competitive jobs in industries that do not require a university degree, like the entertainment or design industries

- workforce training, specialized instruction for careers in various service industries that do not require degrees, such as the automotive and security industries

- formal personal enrichment courses, similar to university programs but without examination and grading processes

- self-directed learning, programs that offer guidance and and assistance to those seeking to educate themselves

- experiential learning, programs that encourage a more active approach to furthering education through problem-solving

Today, a lot of continuing education is done through distance learning and online courses, yet traditional classrooms and seminars continue to exist. It is not uncommon for the student in continuing education to make the best of a hybrid between regular on-site classes as well as online courses. Because of this versatility, continuing education's popularity is constantly growing. 

Another reason for the popularity of continuing education, whether on a traditional campus or taking online courses, is how financially feasible and affordable it has become learn a new trade or enrich your knowledge. By widening the scope of traditional classes in terms of scheduling and part-time availability, as well as making the most of today's internet technology, many people are able to combine their studies with their regular jobs. Most schools also offer financial aid to continuing education students.

Benjamin Franklin once said “an investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” It is never too late to invest in your mind, in your future, and in yourself with continuing education.

Visit Mohawk College for more information on continuing and distance education programs.

Having trouble organizing your class schedule with the rest of your busy life? Maybe you already have a full-time job or a family to look after. Is it difficult commuting to a campus from your home? Maybe the institution where you want to study is at too great of a distance from where you live. Do you not work well in group settings or have trouble following live lectures? Maybe you have your own unique learning style or follow your own individual learning pace.

If these questions and answers seem familiar to you, but you are still determined to improve your career by furthering your education, the maybe it is time to consider distance education. The advent of the internet and world wide web has opened the doors for all kinds of alternative educational systems that don't limit the student to being physically present at a specific time and place. Everything from following course lectures to participating in group discussions and writing exams can be achieved through an online training course.

Sometimes, distance education does follow more traditional forms of learning. While the student may not have to be present in a classroom, set times are pre-arranged where students and teachers communicate and interact with each other via web-conferencing, video-conferencing and live-streaming. This is more ideal if a certain program that best suits your needs is not in your local vicinity but you still have the time and flexibility of schedule to follow an organized timetable.

If your problem extends past that of vicinity and travel times, and deals more with your own independent schedule, then there is an even more flexible form of distance education. This is where students can access the course materials on their own and often communicate with instructors via email to set their own timetables and initiatives. While this may seem like an extremely isolated form of learning, it is not so, due to the usage of message-board forums and other web-based community devices.

The benefits of distance education are many. Aside from the obvious benefits of working from the comfort of your own home or office, as well as fitting your studies into your own personal schedule, distance learning can be extremely cost efficient. Another advantage is that it creates a different kind of relationship between students and teachers. While not traditionally personable as in face-to-face, instructors can be more accessible and approachable on a one-on-one basis through emails and chatting, enabling the students to receive guidance more spontaneously.

A final and often unrealized benefit to online learning is the use of the internet and other web applications. While distance learning has existed for a long time, mostly through postal correspondences, today's emphasis on using the internet greatly improves the distance learner's overall internet and technology skills. So not only are you getting an education in your desired field, but are gaining valuable technological experience as an indirect bonus.

Distance learning isn't necessarily right for everyone. Take the time to do your research into schools that offer such programs. Email or call the administration to ask any questions you might have. But if you are serious about obtaining a new career by furthering your education, are a serious and independent learner, and don't have the time, money or luxury to travel to and sit in a classroom, then online training programs can take you the distance to achieve your goals.


Visit Mohawk College for more information on online programs in continuing education.

Life is a cycle. At first, we depend on others for our growth and development. Later, we become independent, and use our knowledge and experience to help others gain their independence. At last, we often require the assistance of others as old age reduces our abilities to take care of ourselves. It is a constant give-and-take between those who are able and willing to help, and those who have the experience of life but who require the help to share their wisdom.

When the time comes to choose a career, many people wonder how they can find fulfilling work that gives back to the community by helping others. This is why many people turn to training institutes with programs in community studies and health sciences to discover professions to fulfill these aspirations. Whether you want to work with the extremely young or with the aging (or inform or disabled), the right education will give you the knowledge and experience to help you decide on your path. Two such programs that cover this broad spectrum that one could consider are:

- early childhood education

- personal support workers

Early Childhood Education Training

If you are interested in helping shape young children and helping their families create warm, positive and creative environments for children to grow, then consider a diploma in an early childhood education program. This will provide you with the chance to undergo intensive classroom theory and then give you the opportunity to apply this theory in practical field placements. The student will get a variety of course experience from infant/toddler leaning environments, parent-teacher-child relationships, and health, safety and nutrition classes. With this education, you can go on to gain meaningful employment in nurseries and kindergartens, childcare agencies, and day-care centres, just to name a few.

Personal Support Worker Training

 

Personal support worker programs provides you with the training to not only assist the elderly, but also with the physically or mentally impaired, chronically ill, or people who have suffered major physical accidents or emotional traumas. The personal care worker often works in the residences of their clients or patients, and maintains strong personal relationships with them. Other areas of employment outside the private residence are hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities. Typical coursework for such a program takes the student through health and illness classes, developmental psychology, mental health and palliative care, among other subjects

Professional employment in either of these fields is much more than giving one's time and energy in exchange for a paycheck. It is giving back to the community that once gave you the support you needed when you were young, and will be there to give you the comfort you may need one day when you are older. And what you get back for your hard work and dedication in the present, is a gift of gratitude that transcends age and lasts a lifetime.

Visit Mohawk College for more information on community courses and health care science courses.

Architecture literally forms the building blocks of all society and culture. In ancient times, when groups of people erected a building as a place of shelter, worship or commerce, this building became the central symbol the people would gather around. It marked them as a distinct culture, and from there grew the cities that housed the earliest civilizations. The term itself is derived from the word archon, meaning arch as in 'primary' or 'beginning' and tekton, meaning 'builder,' and from where we get the word 'technique'. The architect is the chief builder not only of buildings, but of the identities of society.

Architecture as a trade has produced many famous and innovative minds. If you've ever considered a career in architecture, you'd be joining a long line of people who not only have set themselves apart as individuals, but individuals who have forced their creativity to serve the common interests of everyone. The architect is both an artist and an engineer, and this is why so many are attracted to pursing this career. There are many schools and institutions which have architectural programs with different levels of competitiveness for admissions. Take the time to do your research to compare admission requirements, course descriptions, facilities, and out-of-school programs when selecting a program in architectural technology.

Keep in mind that there are many different kinds of technicians working in architecture. If you are not sure what area of architecture interests you, it's a good idea to find a program that begins with a covering of the basics and introducing the various branches. On one hand, there is residential architecture, which works with homes, apartments and buildings for smaller businesses. Then there is industrial or commercial architecture, which deals in larger public works and buildings, as well as factories, shopping centers and even power plants. The difference is a matter of scale, but in today's modern design world, knowledge of one can only feed into the innovation of the other.

Get an understanding of some other things taught in architectural technician courses before making your decision. Firstly, architecture deals with more than simply designing how a building looks. The trade is upheld by knowing how buildings work: from their science and materials, to their electrical, ventilation and plumbing systems. Secondly, don't assume all your time will be spent over a drafting table pouring over blueprints; you should get a range of experiential lab time and hands-on practical projects to work on as well.

A final factor that is somewhat new to the world of architecture is sustainably and having a more environmentally-orientated approach to building and engineering design. Find out if the school you are considering emphasizes the fundamentals of sustainable practices. This is important because it ensures the enduring significance not only of the buildings you design, but the enduring life of the planet which grants us the space to build upon.

Architecture is an ancient art and science, but it is also the engineering of the future. Because of the weight and importance of this role within society, the future architect must take every stage of building his career extremely seriously. This begins with the right training at the right school.

Visit Mohawk College for more information on architecture programs and other engineering technology college

Industry and business in the Middle Ages was dominated by a system of specialized craft guilds. A master craftsman would take on a young apprentice in a mutually-agreed upon contract where the apprentice would get formal training in a craft, as well as food and lodging, in exchange for helping the master craftsman with his business. Eventually, the apprentice would become their own master craftsman and pass on their knowledge and skill to future apprentices.

Today, the apprenticeship system has evolved, but the foundations are still the same. Someone aspiring to work in a specific trade or craft can become an apprentice to get real-world educational training by working for a company that can provide the environment and situations necessary for the experience. It is the essence of all hands-on work experience.

Signing up for an apprentice program through the resources offered by a college or vocational school is a great way ease into the process. One of the advantages of this is that the student has the opportunity to continue combining theoretical classroom training with on-the-job experience.

Many schools with vocational programs have intimate ties with the industries in which they are training future professionals. Once a student has found an employer willing to offer an apprenticeship, the school can help the student evaluate whether or not this employer has all of the necessary background and resources to ensure the best possible training. By registering as an apprentice through a school, the hours the apprentice puts in will translate to credits in completion of a certificate or diploma.

Many apprenticeship programs don’t begin by placing the student with a company right away. There is always the risk that a lack of sufficient skill or proper knowledge of an industry and its leading companies won’t prepare the student enough to begin working as an apprentice. Also, without any preparation from a school or institution, the budding apprentice may not possess the background to be attractive to the best employers for an apprenticeship. It is always a good idea to consider a school with pre-apprenticeship training program.

Apprenticeships are often done simultaneously with a college program, but one does not have to rush into working side-by-side with learning. If you know what field of apprenticeship you would like to enter, consider completing a college diploma or certificate program in a related field. Not only will employers be more likely to give you an apprenticeship, but it will also give you the chance to get a taste of the industry and to know exactly what kind of apprenticeship or career you are after.

Many provinces in Canada give students the opportunity to register as apprentices while finishing high school. Apprenticeships in Ontario, for example, have an excellent Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program to help young people learn about the process and get them started early.

Being a professional means having a wide range of knowledge and experience, but it is always a learning process. Get started early on a career by turning real life work into a cornerstone of your education by being an apprentice.

Visit Mohawk College for information about automotive apprenticeships.