Programs in health, IT, social and community services will help support labour shortages in key sectors

Oshawa, Ont. – Durham College (DC) is leading the way by offering several new programs in September 2023 to prepare career-ready graduates with the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of the community and employers in key sectors experiencing labour shortages.

“The next generation of graduates are entering a unique workforce, one that has identified major skills gaps across a number of industries,” said Dr. Elaine Popp, executive vice president, Academic. “Durham College is thrilled to offer students a variety of new programs that will cater to their interests, lead the way toward an exciting future as qualified graduates and positively respond to the growing needs within our labour markets.”

In addition to two new degree programs announced earlier this fall – the Honours Bachelor of Paralegal degree and Honours Bachelor of Community Mental Health degree – DC has received consent from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities to offer the following diploma and certificate programs, beginning in September 2023:

• Cloud Computing (graduate certificate)
  Faculty of Science, Engineering & Information Technology
  This is one of the fastest-growing fields in IT and graduates will be able to capitalize on the increasing demand from IT organizations for new professionals to help them secure and manage their cloud infrastructure. This program emphasizes leadership in designing, implementing and deploying services in the cloud by utilizing cloud computing privacy, legal principles and methodology to meet organizational requirements and business goals.

• Fire Prevention and Technology (advanced diploma)
  Faculty of Social & Community Services
  As the science and art of fire protection and prevention continue to evolve, so does the need for experts in all areas of the fire and life safety industry. Utilizing state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and current industry software, students will gain the practical and theoretical skills to enforce the fire code, along with planning, designing, installing and maintaining current and leading-edge fire protection equipment.

• Internet of Things (IoT) (graduate certificate)
  Faculty of Science, Engineering & Information Technology
  The quickly-advancing industry of smart cities, home automation, wearable tech and more requires skilled programmers, developers and technicians. In the relaunched Internet of Things program, students will explore security and surveillance cameras attached to devices, their technologies, architectures, resources, data management, strategies, and security and privacy issues. They will also gain the knowledge and skills needed for a variety of in-demand career options.

• Recreation Therapy (diploma)
  Faculty of Health Sciences
  Recreation therapy is a rewarding career providing meaningful and healthy leisure activities that improve the quality of life for people of all abilities and ages. Certified recreation therapists offer a range of services, including the assessment of client needs, development of programs, goal-setting, group facilitation and evaluation of interventions. Students will develop proficiency in various health disciplines to support the delivery of person-centred recreation programs.

DC’s diverse range of program offerings reinforces its commitment to transformative education and experiential learning, leading the way to a bright future for tomorrow’s professionals.

Learn more about these new programs online.

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ABOUT DURHAM COLLEGE 
With campuses in Oshawa and Whitby, Durham College (DC) offers over 12,500 full-time post-secondary and apprenticeship students access to more than 145 programs, including five honours bachelor degrees and nine apprenticeship programs. 

DC enables students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market by providing an exceptional college education. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge employers need. 

At the Oshawa campus, the Centre for Collaborative Education brings together local, Indigenous and global communities, featuring the Durham College Spa, Rotary Global Classroom and interprofessional simulation and anatomy labs. The campus is also home to four of the college’s applied research centres, including the AI Hub, Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation, Mixed Reality Capture Studio and Social Impact Hub. Additionally, the flexible, fully automated, and industrial-grade Integrated Manufacturing Centre serves as a model of the new standards in advanced manufacturing, mechatronics and engineering education. 

At DC’s Whitby campus, the new 60,000-square-foot Ontario Power Generation Centre for Skilled Trades and Technology shines a spotlight on industrial skilled trades training, innovation and education, and includes a double-height shop lab, new classrooms and student touchdown spaces, among other features. The campus also features the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food, which is home to the award-winning full-service restaurant, Bistro ’67; retail store, Pantry, featuring food grown and prepared by students; and the Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture and its community-inspired urban farm.  

MEDIA CONTACT
Jessica Rivers
Communications and Marketing
jessica.rivers@durhamcollege.ca