Dual Certificate in Baking and Pastry Arts

at Vancouver Community College - Downtown Campus Canada

This program provides an accelerated pathway to prepare students for future leadership roles in the global hospitality and tourism industry, one of the most dynamic and fastest growing industries worldwide. Through education and application in the areas of industry-specific operations, administration, leadership, and interpersonal and technical competencies, students will earn an academic credential that will set them apart in competitive domestic and international markets. Students will participate in an 8-week workplace practicum to develop their skills using a realworld, hands-on approach while building their professional portfolio and network. This program has been created in collaboration with industry experts to ensure relevancy and addresses the current and evolving business environment influencing industry decisions on a local and global level

Students who graduate from the program will be able to: 

• Design, implement, maintain, and monitor a networked virtual environment using Windows and Linux operating systems
• Implement IT system security 
• Operate and maintain IT system performance and security
• Identify vulnerabilities of a computer network infrastructure
• Investigate cyber events and digital evidence and engage in computer forensic investigation
• Collect and evaluate cybersecurity information for operations planning
• Conduct tests and perform security and quality controls
• Assess physical and technical security risks/threats to data, software and hardware
• Develop policies, procedures and back up plans to minimize the effects of security breaches

This program provides students with a solid foundation in business management in the first year of the program and an opportunity for more advanced, specialized study in marketing technology in the second year. Students will learn to use the latest marketing software to analyse data and configure applications used in digital marketing and customer relationship management. Students will have hands-on training on customer relationship management (CRM) software platforms, and develop a set of job-ready skills in the CRM courses and be prepared to write CRM administrator certification exams upon graduation.

The Accounting Diploma provides students with a solid foundation in business management in the first year of the program and an opportunity for more advanced, specialized study of accounting in the second year.

Get top professional training in hairstyling and esthetics while practicing business management and serving real clients in VCC’s state-of-the-art salon and spa.

What you will learn
Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Perform all duties of a hairstylist in accordance with industry health and safety standards related to hygiene, sanitation and disinfection practices.
• Use and maintain tools and equipment according to industry standards.
• Demonstrate professional behavior and communication skills with clients and co-workers.
• Identify the structure and functions of the skin and the hair and recognize possible disease and disorders
• Perform shampooing, conditioning and scalp massaging services using the correct manipulations and professional haircare products.
• Demonstrate elevated and non-elevated haircuts using a variety of tools and techniques.
• Perform wet and dry hair styling using a variety of styling techniques, products and tools.
• Apply the fundamentals of preparing and applying professional colour and lightening products using specific applications and techniques.
• Demonstrate permanent wave procedures using a variety of tools and techniques.
• Describe the types and purposes of hair extensions, wigs and hairpieces.
• Apply fundamental business management knowledge and skills needed to operate a hair salon.

Upon successful completion of the Esthetics Certificate students will be able to:

• Practice skin and body therapies in accordance with safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards and regulations.
• Describe human anatomy, physiology and chemical composition specific to concerns relating to nail, skin, body, and hair removal treatments.
• Perform spa treatments based on client consultation, skin analysis and nutritional needs.
• Apply the principles of colour and design to lash, brow and specialized makeup techniques.
• Perform in an ethical and professional manner conducive to spa environments.
• Apply retail business administration practices and marketing techniques for operating a spa.

What to expect

• The Hairstylist Certificate program is designed to meet the training needs of the Industry and the required training objectives established by the Industry Training Authority (ITA). The Hairstylist program provides a wide range of student learning opportunities in the classroom, salon and workplace settings. Students will gain hands-on practical experience working with clients in the VCC Salon and Spa. Industry work experience provides students with additional opportunities to apply their knowledge and technical skills in a workplace setting. Classroom instruction is designed for students to develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills which will be applied for success in the VCC Salon and Spa.
• Active student learning and participation is emphasized throughout the program to promote the development of knowledge, technical skills and professional behaviour required for success in the industry. Lectures, demonstrations, group work, peer assessment, reflective journaling, and project based learning strategies are used throughout the program to promote student leaning.
• Practical training is conducted in a fully equipped spa where treatments are offered as to the public, providing authentic industry experience preceded by the necessary theory.
• Related theoretical content is delivered through lectures, demonstrations and various teaching aids in the classroom and is continuously integrated into the practical work.
• Strategies include:
• Guest speakers such as product experts and spa owners
• Field trips such as trade shows, supply houses and skills competitions
• Case studies such as industry trends and skin analysis
• Participation is integral to the development of practical skills in this program; therefore, students assume the role of client, therapist and spa coordinator.
• Work practicum offers students spa industry work experience, opportunities to practice knowledge and skills learned at the college and potential for employment.

Expand your creative and technical skills for the fashion and apparel industry by gaining hands-on experience in conception, design, production, and sales through a self-directed garment project.

What you will learn

• Fashion production
• Technical illustration (Illustrator, Photoshop)
• Pattern drafting
• Computer aided drafting (CAD) and digitization with Gerber
• Draping
• Knit garments
• Lined dresses
• Office attire
• Pattern grading and size ranges
• Niche body types
• Fabric properties, testing, and sourcing
• Textile industry ethics
• Fashion industry issues and trends
• Fashion history and culture
• Precision drawing
• Professional hand and machine sewing
• Textile print and dye techniques
• Garment construction
• Creative vision
• Branding and marketing
• Final runway collection or product line
• Manufacturing specifications
• Business skills
• Overseas production
• Website design and e-commerce
• Professional communication

What to expect

• Mandatory attendance
• Practical labs and demonstrations
• Team activities
• Computer work
• Field trips
• Independent learning
• Student presentations
• Individual and group projects
• Written exams
• Research assignments
• Self-assessments
• Portfolio creation
• Lectures, seminars, videos
• 120-hour industry practicum

Get hands-on experience in the design and fabrication of jewellery through drawing, art history, gemmology, and business management.

What you will learn

• Jewellery fabrication (piercing, soldering, doming, texturing, finishing, riveting)
• Traditional goldsmithing techniques
• Lost wax casting
• Stone setting
• Metal forging
• Jewellery repair
• Machinery, tools, safety
• Metallurgy and alloys
• Lapidary techniques (cutting, polishing)
• Enamelling
• Gemstone identification and testing
• Gemstone cuts, care, and cleaning
• Gemstone marketing, buying, and pricing
• Diamond identification and grading
• International diamond market
• Visual awareness
• Conceptual design
• Illustration and visual representation
• Technical drawing
• Perspective drawing
• 3D design software
• History of art, ornament, and costume
• Art in contemporary society
• Individuality and artistic expression
• Meanings of jewellery
• Business management and entrepreneurship
• Jewellery-related laws and regulations
• Promotion, advertising, ethics
• Production methods and time management

What to expect

• Two years of full-time study
• 70 per cent of time dedicated to hands-on, technical training
• Industry-experienced instructors
• Cohort-style classes with personalized learning
• Technical assignments
• Creative projects
• Critiques
• Lectures
• Technical assignments
• Exams
• Demonstrations
• Group projects
• Research projects
• Guest presentations
• Public showcases and exhibitions
• Field trips
• Fully equipped workshops
• Use of hand tools and torches
• Networking with industry professionals
• Award and scholarship opportunities
• Opportunity to transfer to jewellery degree programs at AUA (Calgary), or NSCAD University (Halifax)
• Opportunity to transfer to second-year Gemmology certificate and degree programs at Birmingham University, UK

Students will learn advanced skills in Microsoft Office (including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access), business communications and data management. Students will also become proficient at keyboarding and at creating, revising, formatting and processing a wide range of business documents. In addition, they will be introduced to computerized accounting and given the skills to handle office finances. These skills, as well as training in time management and social media use, plus practice with a variety of communication skills, will equip graduates for administrative assistant work.

What you will learn
This program is designed for individuals who wish to obtain employment in the Information Technology Industry as Mobile Applications Programmer, Computer Programmer, and Network Administrator.

• Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
• Design, install and manage local area networks
• Develop and design computer programs in various programming languages
• Develop and design interactive web pages with multimedia components
• Design and develop interactive mobile application for mobile devices
• Install and configure computer hardware and software
• Perform systems analysis and design
• Program apps for mobile devices
• Provide end-user technical support services
• Troubleshoot and repair hardware problems

What to expect

• This program is delivered face-to-face and in blended learning modes.  Instructional strategies include classroom lectures, demonstrations, group discussions, computer lab and hands-on practical work.

Get expert industry training in facial treatments, manicure, pedicure, gel application, hair removal, makeup, and body massage while serving real clients at VCC's state-of-the-art salon and spa.

What you will learn
Upon successful completion of the Esthetics & Spa Therapy Certificate Program students will be able to:

• Practice skin and body therapies in accordance with safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards and regulations.
• Describe human anatomy, physiology and chemical composition specific to concerns relating to nail, skin, body, and hair removal treatments.
• Perform spa treatments based on client consultation, skin analysis and nutritional needs.
• Apply the principles of colour and design to lash, brow and specialized makeup techniques.
• Perform in an ethical and professional manner conducive to spa environments.
• Apply retail business administration practices and marketing techniques for operating a spa.

What to expect

• The Esthetics & Spa Therapy Certificate Program provides a wide range of student learning opportunities in the classroom, spa and workplace settings. Students will gain hands-on practical experience working with clients in the VCC Salon and Spa. Industry work experience provides students with additional opportunities to apply their knowledge and technical skills in a workplace setting. Classroom instruction is designed for students to develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills which will be applied for success in the VCC Salon and Spa.
• Participation is integral to the development of practical skills in this program; therefore, students assume the role of client, therapist and spa coordinator.
• Work practicum offers students spa industry work experience, opportunities to practice knowledge and skills learned at the college and potential for employment.