Post-Degree Diploma In Hospitality Management

at Vancouver Community College - Downtown Campus Canada

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

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

Advance your skills in network infrastructure, administration, support, and security for careers in computer information systems management and analysis.

What you will learn
Students who graduate from the program will be able to: 

• Plan, create, and implement computer network systems
• Work with clients and team members to provide desktop/server support
• Implement IT system and data security policies 
• Design, implement and maintain a full virtualization environment
• Engage in computer forensic investigation 
• Design, implement, maintain, and monitor a network using Windows and Linux operating systems. 
• Lead, manage, and direct small-to-medium scale IT projects
• Perform shell scripting or other basic scripting tasks
• Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations
• Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks and to co-ordinate access and use of computer networks
• Evaluate and install computer hardware, networking software, operating system software and software applications
• Maintain, troubleshoot and administer the use of local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), wireless networks, mainframe networks, computer workstations, connections to the Internet and peripheral equipment

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.

Learn top strategies and processes for planning, executing, and monitoring projects in a Canadian business environment. Understand the difference between Agile and Waterfall project management, and know how to plan to get a PMI® Project Management Professional (PMP)®, Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®, and other project management designations.

What you will learn
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Apply strategies and processes in initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing projects.
• Manage risks to reduce project uncertainties.
• Demonstrate project management skills to optimize project outcomes.
• Adapt project management approaches to meet the specific needs of organizations.
• Apply strategies for managing stakeholders’ needs and expectations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Construct comprehensive project plans that address the goals and objectives of organizations.
• Apply critical thinking and problem-solving techniques to make sound business management decisions and recommendations.
• Implement effective communication plans to ensure project success.
• Utilize change management strategies to support project implementation.
•  Demonstrate ethical and professional behaviours as a project team member.
• Communicate and contribute as a project team member to the overall success of projects.
• Apply reflective practices to identify professional development opportunities and enhance lifelong learning.

Get a comprehensive understanding of business practices in the hospitality industry. Learn to manage guest services for hotels, cruise ships, convention centres, and fine dining establishments.

What you will learn

• Top hospitality business and management practices
• Planning, design, and implementation of hospitality initiatives
• Business and community impact evaluation
• Financial and operations management
• Research and statistical analysis
• E-business and social media marketing
• Current events and change management
• Effective communication in the local, national, and global hospitality market
• Formal and informal meeting procedures
• Labour relations, ethics, and hospitality-related law
• Cultural diversity in British Columbia and Canada
• Community leadership and issue resolution
• Entrepreneurship

What to expect

• Lectures, seminars, and group discussions
• Oral presentations
• Reflective writing
• Research papers and case studies
• Individual and group projects
• Computer simulations
• Quizzes
• Homework
• Final exams

Learn traditional and digital technologies used in the design and fabrication of dental restorative prostheses, orthodontic appliances, and implant-supported restorations.

What you will learn
The graduate of the VCC Dental Technology Sciences program will have the skills and abilities to:

• Design, fabricate, modify and repair removable oral/dental prostheses;
• Design, fabricate, modify and repair fixed oral/dental prostheses;
• Design, fabricate, modify and repair oral/dental appliances used in orthodontics,  and other dental treatments;
• Integrate general knowledge of dental laboratory procedures, physics and chemistry principles, associated with the fabrication of oral appliances and dental restorations;
• Assess the characteristics and properties of dental materials associated with the fabrication of oral appliances and dental restorations and make decisions about their appropriate application in practice;
• Assess the characteristics and operation of equipment and special instrumentation associated with the fabrication of oral appliances and dental restorations and make decisions about their appropriate application in practice;
• Assess the fundamental elements of dental anatomy, dental physiology, dental morphology and basic elements of oral pathological conditions and apply relevant knowledge to dental technology practice;
• Practice current workplace health and safety standards including dental laboratory asepsis, and infection control;
• Apply essential elements and skills of behavioral sciences, communications, professional ethics, legal obligations and business management to dental technology practice;
• Make decisions that reflect critical thinking and problem solving; integrate pertinent theoretical knowledge and empirical data and information literacy skills to justify and/or revise services.

What to expect

• The Dental Technology Sciences program is competency based and utilizes a variety of teaching and learning activities to enable students to achieve core professional competencies. Theory and authentic laboratory practical experiences are provided throughout. More than 55% of the program is designed for competency based practical experiences. Skills and abilities are based on the National Dental Laboratory Technology competencies (May 2012) (currently under revision) and Provincial Standards of Practice.
• Learning is fostered through classroom theory (lecture), demonstrations, simulations, seminars, group work, case studies, project work, laboratory practice and practicum.
• Throughout the program communication and other interpersonal skills, teamwork strategies, self and peer evaluation, critical thinking, decision-making and problem solving are reinforced. Quality practice skills are learned such as time and self-management.

Develop professional skills for artisanal bread and pastry production including foundational baking, gluten-free, savoury, and international products.

What you will learn

• Health, sanitation, and safety
• Use of bakery equipment including scales, mixers, proofers, and ovens
• Knife skills
• Theoretical baking principles and processes
• Ingredients and methodology
• Biscuits and muffins
• Pie dough and straight dough
• Aeration and emulsification
• Cookies, pies, tarts
• Croissant, Danish, and puff dough lamination
• Cakes, cookies, sponges
• Buttercreams, glazes, ganaches
• Dessert plating and presentation
• Composition, use of colours and textures
• Pastries, slices, and squares
• Quickbreads and loaf cakes
• Deep-fat frying
• Yeast doughnuts, cake doughnuts, French crullers
• Fermentation, leavening, gluten development
• Wild yeast, sourdough starters, biga, poolish
• Hearth baking
• Grains and flours
• Shaping and molding
• Mixing and portioning
• Gluten-free baking and ingredients
• Meat and vegetable pies
• Sausage rolls, Cornish pasties, calzones
• Asian buns and tarts
• Pita breads and flatbreads
• Sandwiches
• Consistency and accuracy
• Environmental conditions
• Daily production planning
• Standard math functions
• Retail bakeshop management
• Professional etiquette and personal hygiene
• Troubleshooting and problem solving
• Ingredient and equipment suppliers
• Merchandising, inventory, and cost control
• Waste management
• Catering
• Effective communication

What to expect

• Eleven months of full-time study over four terms:    
• Introduction to Baking
  • Applied Baking
  • Artisan Baking
  • Capstone
• Classes Monday to Friday 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (subject to change)
• Purchase of textbooks and baking tools (available at the VCC Bookstore)
• Purchase of closed-top, non-slip footwear
• A fully operational kitchen and bakeshop environment
• Direct instruction
• Interactive instruction
• Demonstrations
• Problem-solving
• Cooperative learning
• Active participation
• Self-directed learning
• Three weeks of industry work experience
• Capstone project
• Opportunity to take exams for ITA Level 1 certification

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