Diploma in Recreation Therapy

at Lambton College - Sarnia Campus Canada

The core values and beliefs behind the role of a developmental services worker include: service, social justice, empowerment, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. A commitment to these values guides the developmental services worker's behaviour in terms of his/her ethical responsibilities to individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, colleagues, and to his/her own professional competence.

Developmental services workers use leadership qualities and creative problem solving to facilitate natural supports, generic services, self-reliant decision making, and personal control for individuals of all ages who have a range of developmental and/or physical disabilities or mental disorders and their families in various work and community environments. Graduates recognize that barriers exist for people with challenges and that they have a role in facilitating the removal of such barriers.

Graduates recognize the interaction of the mind, the body, and the spirit in general health promotion and provide information to individuals to facilitate the setting and reaching of personal health goals. Through rich experiential learning opportunities, graduates acquire skills and knowledge relating to specific health concerns in their work environment. In addition, graduates respond to health-related issues by applying their skills and knowledge from required program courses.

Many industries, ranging from construction and manufacturing to energy and health care are seeking specially trained workers to support and promote healthier workplaces. The Workplace Safety & Prevention Technician program is uniquely designed to assist students in identifying, assessing, and managing risks in a variety of work environments. Graduates can expect to attain the competencies required to effectively implement and evaluate health and safety systems in occupational settings.

Program curriculum will define health and safety objectives and students will develop corresponding policies and procedures. Emphasis is placed upon the understanding of legislation and recognizing, preventing and evaluating workplace hazards. Students will also develop the skills necessary to identify and report on safety and health conditions in a workplace. 

Graduates will be able to conduct risk assessments and hygiene tests to prevent hazards and harm to workers, property, the environment, and the general public. These graduates may find employment in a variety of industry sectors as safety inspection, auditing, risk management, emergency management, environmental management, and human resource management roles.

The 280-hour field placement prepares students to work with employers to address workplace health and safety. Students will be directly exposed to people, protocols and technology with a focus on injury and disease prevention in the workplace. Program curriculum prepares students for placement in a variety of occupations including all major employment sectors and within the public sector. Students will apply skills and knowledge to anticipate, evaluate, and control a variety of health risks including chemical, biological, physical, and psycho-social related hazards.

The Financial Planning & Wealth Management Graduate Certificate program prepares university and college graduates for an exciting and rewarding career in the financial services sector. Students will gain specialized career expertise, technical knowledge and selling skills required to work in banks, credit unions, mutual fund companies, investment dealers, stock brokerages, independent financial planning firms and insurance companies. The final term of study includes a co-op in the financial services industry so that students can gain experience through practical work or through an Applied Project.

Co-op Info:

Co-op students have the opportunity to apply classroom learning to the workplace. Co-op placement opportunities help students gain valuable work experience that may assist them in finding permanent employment after they graduate. Students have access to our Co-op & Career Advisors who provide comprehensive co-op and career development services and resources for co-op students.

Today's successful photographers know more than just their cameras - they're ready to design, edit, market, connect, write and sell.

The Lambton College Advanced Photography program is a two-year, Ontario College graduate certificate program that provides students with the opportunity to expand their skills to work as professionals in the ever-evolving field of photography. Student learn advanced photography and post-production skills, as well as, learn how to utilize drones for professional photographic images.

Our students prepare for this fast-paced and expanding career using modern digital photographic equipment in a state-of-the-art photography studio. The program is laptop-based and fully hybrid (a combination of both online and in-class learning), offering students the benefits of flexible learning.

In today's Canadian photography industry, entrepreneurial spirit along with working with clients is paramount. As such, the curriculum covers a broad range of topics, including design and composition, digital darkroom, lighting and camera skills, and full, robust portfolio development. At the core of the program is our state-of-practice photography and video studio, equipped with strobe, video and continuous light kits. Students work in this space both individually and as a group, using professional quality equipment.

This program has specific computer and equipment requirements. See the Costs tab for details.

This program is a true pathway program. Liberal Studies is designed for those who wish to pursue a university education or degree completion. Following completion of the program, and provided that all requirements are met, students will have the opportunity to apply for entry into a university degree.

This program is rooted in a variety of humanities and social science disciplines. An emphasis on developing university-level skills in critical thinking, communication, research, literacy and numeracy prepares students for professional environments which impact society, business and technology.

Graduates of the Liberal Studies program may receive transfer credits toward degrees at Ontario universities. Graduates of this program may apply to Huron, Brescia, King's or Western University for acceptance into the second year of a specified Bachelor's program.

Build a better future in a hands-on and practical learning environment. Lambton College’s Construction Carpentry Techniques program utilizes current technology, modern equipment and has a strong focus on eco-friendly building products and construction materials. Graduates possess significant experience working in the 6,500 sq. ft. shop (located in the Lambton College Skilled Trades Training Centre) as well as in an 1,800 sq. ft. teaching house where students participate in renovation and residential construction scenarios relevant to residential and light commercial construction.

Students may participate in community-based learning projects for non-profit organizations. This hands-on learning, combined with in-class training, will provide students with the skills necessary to enter the residential construction and renovation sector. Framing, layout, roof construction, stairs and foundations will be taught in detail, as well as the fundamentals of calculating construction and labour costs.

Individuals with a passion for enriching the lives of young children will find support from Lambton College's caring staff as they gain the skills needed to become a knowledgeable, competent Early Childhood Educator. At Lambton College, we are proud of our reputation for excellence in encouraging our students to excel as educators.

This two-year program educates students to work effectively with young children in order to nurture childhood development and maintain healthy relationships with their families. Students are introduced to both theory and practice through technology enhanced classroom theory, and experiential learning in hands-on workshops and field practice. This combination gives students the knowledge and skills to work with young children aged 0-12 years in a variety of settings. Students graduate with over 600 hours of practical experience.

Students also have the unique opportunity to complete a placement in our on-site EarlyON Child and Family Centre. Our on-site Parent and Professional Resource Centre offers valuable resources for curriculum planning, research, and professional development.

The Welding Techniques Program is a full-time, one-year program which provides students with theoretical and practical aspects of the welding trade. The skills and knowledge gained from this program will help students meet the necessary requirements to obtain placement in either union or non-union jobs. Students perform welding and cutting using shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), oxy-fuel welding and cutting (OFW/OFC), plasma arc cutting (PAC), and carbon arc cutting with air/gouging (CAC-A).

Sourcing straight from the Alberta Individual Learning Modules (ILM), students have an opportunity to challenge the Level I Welder apprenticeship test on location after completion of the program. Students will also be given the opportunity to challenge the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) 'all position plate' welding tickets during the duration of the second term.

The Lambton College Canadian Culinary Operations, Ontario College Graduate Certificate is a two-year program that introduces students to the traditional as well as the unique practices of Canadian-inspired culinary dishes. Students experience all facets of the Canadian food industry where trends and dining culture are constantly evolving.

Program curriculum reflects the demanding knowledge and skills required of a successful culinary professional who must constantly adapt to all Canadian industry standards regardless of the enterprise. Faculty are committed to sharing with students the importance of sustainable practices as it applies to purchasing and preparing local foods in various Canadian environments. Specific courses on applied nutrition, geographical gastronomy and the science of food and beverage reflect changing consumer tastes.

The program emphasizes the importance of operating a fiscally responsible food business through the application of business principles and costing and control practices. Technology and mobile applications are integrated into business operations with emphasis on the development of marketing and promotional strategies. Students work in accordance with relevant industry, organization and legal standards and regulations, as well as Canadian industry best practices for health, safety, sanitation, quality assurance and customer service.

The professional focus and high standards of the Canadian Culinary Operations program serves graduates well when it comes time to begin their careers. Program graduates may perform effectively as members of food and beverage service teams in Canadian establishments. They are prepared for employment opportunities in a range of settings including: restaurants, bakeries, hotels, spas, motels, resorts, cruise ships, hospitals, industrial kitchens, long-term care institutions, and catering companies. Some graduates may find fulfillment in entrepreneurial opportunities.

Co-op Info
Co-op students have the opportunity to apply classroom learning to the workplace. Co-op placement opportunities help students gain valuable work experience that may assist them in finding permanent employment after they graduate. Students have access to our Co-op & Career Advisors who provide comprehensive co-op and career development services and resources for co-op students.
Find out more about Lambton College’s co-op opportunities.

Securing a Co-op Placement
The job market for co-op is very competitive and students are expected to be active participants in their job searches, this includes demonstrated activity on the myCareer System.
Lambton College cannot guarantee co-op positions for students. Success in finding a co-op involves a number of factors that are not controlled by Lambton College.
Limited assistance is provided to students in finding co-op placements. Students will also be expected to canvass employers to find their own placements. Completing a co-op work term is mandatory for graduation.
Any student who secures his or her own co-op position must verify with the Co-op & Career Advisor assigned to the program that the proposed co-op is appropriate and will be approved before accepting the position.

Students in Lambton College's Social Service Worker program will develop the skills, knowledge, and values required to support diverse individuals, families, groups and communities. With practical experience both in and out of the classroom, as well as through ongoing reflective practice, students will develop the skills to assist in empowering clients to learn to help themselves and to face the challenging work of being a Social Service Worker.

Small class sizes, technology in the classroom, role play and simulation exercises as well as a variety of personal, hands-on experiences, will result in a deeper understanding of self, which will ultimately benefit clients. 

Individuals considering the Social Service Worker program are asked to carefully evaluate their reasons for entering this field. The work calls for a person mature enough to examine his/her own values and beliefs while focusing upon the needs of vulnerable populations.

Students will complete approximately 650 hours of supervised experiential field placement while in the program. An additional 60+ hours of volunteer work in the community is required over the course of the program. Students' theoretical and practical experience will be enhanced by group work, leadership and participation in a capstone community project that is determined by a real social issue that benefits a non-profit community organization in the Sarnia-Lambton area.

Any applicant entering this program must meet employment entrance criteria set by individual employers and provide a vulnerable sector criminal reference check, in order to apply for placement opportunities. A criminal record could limit a student's ability to successfully secure placement opportunities which are a requirement of graduation.