What the media is saying:

97% PLACEMENT RATE FOR ITS GRADUATES

By Leslie Schachter

There are many advantages to completing a technical diploma in Québec. The great demand for trained technicians in the province, in tandem with the fact that tuition for full-time career programs is paid for by the Provincial Government, make this an opportunity not to be missed. If you are a handy man or woman, have some mechanical inclination and a will to succeed, be sure to check out Rosemount Technology Centre, one of the largest English technical training colleges in Quebec. The school offers courses in eight different programs all of which lead to a Diplome D'études Professionnelles (D.E.P.) or Attestations de Spécialisations Professionnelles (A.S.P.) and boast a 97% placement rate for its graduates.

Micha Karpfen, a student in the cabinetmaking program, feels he made a great decision. A self-employed 66 year-old, Micha says he has always had a passion for woodworking and now, four months into the 13 month course, he's developing the skills he needs to craft his very own furniture. He is also taking evening courses in furniture finishing to compliment the fulltime cabinetmaking program. Upon completion, Micha hopes to be able to work independently, building custom-made pieces from scratch.

The class itself, he explains, is pretty small, with about 18 students, most of which are in their mid to late twenties. The courses are based on a modular system in which each student learns and progresses in a systematic manner.

Although Micha is not expecting to be hired by any major companies, there are plenty of younger students who are eager to begin what can be a very fulfilling and lucrative career. The demand for specialized technicians is on the rise, especially in the aerospace sector.

Offering fulltime day courses in several areas in the technology sector, the school prepares its students to enter the job market as fully functional technicians in 12 to 18 months depending on the program. Night courses are also available in Computer Graphics Techniques, Cabinetmaking as well as several other options.

Since it first opened its doors in 1993, the various programs offered at Rosemount have changed through the years to meet the demands of the labour market. Almost all Rosemount students are offered jobs as soon as their training is completed. In fact, there are not enough students enrolled at the school to meet the demand for trained machinists. Click on clickvoc.qc.ca and you will see that Machining, Industrial Drafting and Furniture Finishing are identified as areas offering excellent job prospects in Quebec.

In general, the centre is structured as a business educational environment, similar to the industry, with computer labs, technology rooms and workshops. Career counseling, library access and a cafeteria are just a few of the many services RTC offers to all its students.

An important component of each program is the work-study placement in which the students have the opportunity to practice the skills they have learned in an actual work environment. The work-study assignment is individually tailored to meet the needs and aspirations of each student. The contacts and experiences in both work-study and cooperative programs frequently lead to permanent employment.

Programs start at various times throughout the year, many of which often have waiting lists, so it is important to register as early as possible. Call the RTC office at 514-376-4725 for clarification of which documents you will need to bring with you at the time of registration.

Interested candidates, after having met with a particular Program Coordinator, may want to become a student-for-a-day. This opportunity enables prospective candidates a chance to observe classroom and lab activities as well as to meet with current students in order to ensure an informed commitment to the educational program.

Programs currently being offered at RTC include the following: Automated Systems in Electromechanics, Cabinetmaking, Computer Graphics Techniques, Furniture Finishing, Industrial Drafting, Industrial Machine Operator, Machining Techniques, Printing and Digital Layout, Starting a Business, Telecommunications Equipment Installation & Repair.

These tuition-free programs of the English Montreal School Board are open to all Quebec residents who have completed Grade 10 (Secondary 4) or the equivalent. Information on career training at Rosemount Technology Centre can be found at www.rosemount-technology.qc.ca.

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