RESEARCHING COLLEGE DIPLOMA PROGRAMS and the SKILLED TRADES

What You’ll WANT to Know - https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en

Go to the SWC Website and find information on College and Trade Programs

Start Here: Colleges or Programs

To find a program of interest, you can do a program search or explore by category or by college:

Business Example:

You could type Business into the program search engine or explore through the Business, Finance & Administration Section. Then hit the Business Sub-Section to further your search.

Once you hit search, all the schools that offer that program will be listed.

Choose the school(s) website link you would like to learn more about.

Here you can read an overview of the program, see the admission requirements, and the courses you will be studying.

Business Example:

Be sure to double check that you are currently or will be taking the required pre-requisite courses for the program.

You can find different start dates.

You can also find other important admission information such as a valid driver’s license, portfolio, first aid/CPR, criminal background check etc.

This is where you will find out if your program is a competitive program.

NC ex: For competitive programs—where the number of qualified applicants exceeds the available places (Practical Nursing, Paramedic, Hair/Barber)—selection will be based on the most senior level final grade available in required courses at the time of ranking. Mid-term grades are not used for ranking purposes. Testing or other supplemental evaluation may be required.

​

​

Business Example:

Comparing the courses you will be taking in the first year and beyond may be one way to help you make a decision of what school you will choose.

Example:

Going into the Trades

WOW, there are a lot

of options!

Trades Example

Go to ontariocolleges.ca and click on the Professions and Trades link

​

Choose the trade that you are interested in taking

​

Trades Example

Make sure you read through the explanations as “Technology” and “Technician” are two different programs.

Click on the schools website and check out the program and admission requirements.

Required and recommended are different.

​

​

Pathways to the Trades/

Apprenticeship

You do not have to go to College to start your pathway to a trade. There are many ways to get there.

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) can be a great way to start your apprenticeship while still in high school. Please see Mr. Bruschke in the COOP office for more information.

​

Still not sure what programs you want to study, this article might help!

The Ten Most Valuable College Diplomas for Your Money

https://discover.rbcroyalbank.com/the-ten-most-valuable-college-diplomas-for-your-money/

​

You’ve done all the research and now you are ready to APPLY. Go to the ontariocolleges.ca homepage and click on APPLY NOW.

Applying to College: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqyTffuiaX8&feature=youtu.be

​

What you will need: You need a valid email address, your Ontario Education Number, and your Student Number. These numbers are what tie your application to our downloaded information about you.

How to find your Ontario Education Number (OEN) and Student Number: Go to the SWC webpage and at the top right enter the Student & Staff Login. You will see a bunch of icons – choose Aspen SIS. Once you are in Aspen choose the My Info tab at the top. Within your Demographics information you will see your OEN number. Your Student Number is located above your OEN and is called “Local ID”.

COST: The application processing fee is $110.00 (non-refundable). An application allows you up to 5 program choices (no more than 3 at any one college).

TRANSCRIPTS: You do not need to pay for, or request any transcripts. If you have used your OEN and Student Number appropriately you will be able to link to the data that we have already supplied about you.

​

How to Apply to College Link

1. Set up your profile (1:01)
2. Apply to College (1:46)
3. Choose the programs you want to apply to (2:10-2:39)
4. Arrange programs in order of preference, with #1 at the top (2:43-3:00)
5. Review your application (3:19-3:33)
6. Payment (3:37-4:00)
7. Follow your application progress on the dashboard (4:03-4:20)

Another informative video on Applying to Ontario Public Colleges:

• Over 86 per cent of Ontario college graduates find employment within six months

​

• "College education remains pivotal to Ontario's long-term success," said Linda Franklin, the president and CEO of Colleges Ontario.
• “Colleges have historically had a mandate to serve local communities, and had good success launching innovative employment services while designing programs of study based on labor market trends and needs of employers.”
• In addition to the specific focus on employability, colleges also tend to have smaller class sizes, with a lower student-to-instructor ratio.
• study finds that college bachelor's degree (CBD) holders earn about 12% more per year, on average, than university bachelor's degree (UBD) holders two years after graduation.

​

WHY COLLEGE? HERE’S WHY!

The numbers don’t lie - College Graduates get jobs!

Transferring from College to University

Check out this fabulous website to see how you can move from a College Diploma Program to a College or University Degree Program.

ONTransfer Link

​

​

​

Scholarships, Finances and OSAP

Check out the SWC Scholarships, Bursaries, Awards & OSAP sub-site for information about applying to scholarships and Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)

Check your Post-Secondary Institution for SHSM Academic Scholarships. Find out if you have to apply and when the deadline is.

Look for Program Specific scholarships and bursaries: Food Services, Policing, etc.

​

​

It is very important to do as much research as you can in order to be able to make the most informed decision when choosing the right college and program for YOU!