If you’ve recently relocated to Toronto, chances are you’re one of two people: either someone who came here because of a job transfer or new employment (congratulations!), or as the significant other of someone who came here for job. If you fall into the latter category, it’s no secret that your relocation may be a little tougher. Maybe you left a job behind in your home country, or perhaps you’re wondering what’s the next step to a fulfilling career of your choice.
Here’s the good news: according to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the labour market will be growing in the next year or so. There’s a 1.7 projected employment growth projected for 2016. Not only that, but experts have pinpointed the most in-demand jobs in Toronto. Not surprisingly, a lot of the growth is in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, and according to TorontoJobs.com, the most in-demand jobs in Toronto are:
- Registered nurses and healthcare professionals,
- Medical and diagnostic technicians,
- Management and administration positions, and
- Architects, planners and surveyors
The other good news is that it’s not uncommon (and in facts it’s encouraged!) for adults to go back to school and pursue a different career path. In Toronto, you’ll find a number of higher educational institutions where you can learn new skills, or build upon existing ones.
Here’s a look at a few colleges and universities that offer bachelors degrees and continuing education programs that lead to the most in-demand jobs in Toronto.
Where to study for a career as a registered nurse/healthcare professional, or as a medical and diagnostic technician:
- The Michener Institute for Applies Health Sciences is Canada’s only post-secondary institution that specializes in healthcare education. Located in the heat of Toronto’s downtown core, near many major hospitals, there’s plenty of access to resources. It offers 10 full-time programs in medical laboratory science, physician assistance, respiratory therapy and others, along with 1,000 continuing education courses, from clinical management and clinical research to an imaging informatics graduate certificate.
- Seneca College touts itself as being a diverse and tech-savvy institution offering full-time, part-time and continuing education options with flexible education schedules and diverse learning strategies. It’s nursing program is in collaboration with York University. It combines classroom instruction, and clinical experience to prepare students for a career in nursing in hospitals, community centers, clinics, health care agencies, or other relevant institutions.
- At Anderson College of Health, Business and Technology, which boasts a high graduate hiring rate, you can enroll in the Medical Laboratory Technician program, which can land you a job in a hospital, addiction centre, lab, blood donor center, or a whole host of other institution. The program teaches students how to collect blood and tissue samples, log patient samples, prepare specimens, along with other practical skills.
Where to study for a career in management and administration:
- You’ll find all sorts of business programs throughout Toronto, and one great options is taking a program or class at Greystone College. You’ll find a range of diplomas and certificates in various business topics. The diploma programs are from 16 to 40 weeks long and lead students to qualify for certification through the Canadian Institute of Management. Certificate Programs are from eight to 16 weeks long and will help you land a career in the field. Topics of study range from Introduction to Management to International Business.
- At the University of Toronto, Ontario’s largest and most popular educational institution located in the heart of the city, you can apply to enroll in the Commerce and Management undergraduate program. Through the management track, you can study one of three programs: Management Specialist, Human Resources Management and Industrial Relations, or Management Major.
- If you’re highly organized and like to keep the ball rolling, you can study at Centennial College. This 47 year-old institution offers full and part-time programs at four Toronto Campuses. Centennial College takes a global approach to education, and values both local and global resources and opportunities for students. It offers for office administration program options within its School of business: general (one year), executive (two years), legal (two years) and medical (two years).
Where to study for a career as an architect, planner or surveyor:
- George Brown College offers certificates, diplomas and degrees that help people gain skills and land jobs in a variety of technical fields. The three Toronto campuses provide easy access to top employers and there’s even a new student residence, opening in 2016. George Brown college’s school of architecture offers skills that lead to jobs on architectural and construction teams, including architectural technician, architectural technology and interior design technology. You’ll lead drafting and design through 2D and 3D computer technology.
- Ryerson University’s School of Urban and Regional Planning offers courses and programs that teach students to solve planning problems through six planning studios and the option of a senior planning project. It connects students to actual clients and offers a placement course and planning elective. This professional school is recognized by the Canadian Institute of planners, and allows students the opportunity to study abroad.
- The University of Toronto’s The John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design offers a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies that “prepares graduates to imagine the future of the built environment, while grounding them in innovative approaches to design.” If you already have your Bachelors degree and would like to deepen your knowledge to give yourself more opportunities, there are four graduate degree categories: Master of Architecture, Master of Landscape Architecture, Master of Urban Design and Master of Visual Studies. Go hit those books!
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Now that you’ve got some options as to how to where to study to land on of the most in-demand jobs in Toronto, read more about working:
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