Ontario Computer Technology Degrees & Training

Computer Technology, Programming, and Repair Courses in Ontario

Ontario careers, schools and colleges

Ontario is home to roughly 13 million people, or about one in three Canadians. Most people reside in the "Golden Horseshoe" area along the western edge of Lake Ontario, which includes Toronto, Hamilton, St. Catharine's and Niagara Falls. The most commonly spoken language is English, though you'll find many French-speaking communities throughout the province.

Toronto is considered one of the most multicultural cities in the world, where more than 100 dialects are spoken. It's also in a highly educated province of Canada; more than half of the residents older than 25 have attended post-secondary schools. There are 19 degree-granting schools, 24 career colleges and technical colleges.

The costs of attending college in Ontario have increased dramatically in recent years. Between 1990 and 2011, tuition costs have increased 244 percent. In August 2011, the cost of attending a four-year undergraduate institution was approximately $6,500 per year. However, many find attending college in the province beneficial for its accessibility to Toronto, which is the largest financial center in Canada and the fourth-largest in North America. Plus, universities and career colleges throughout Ontario have strong links to 1,100 multinational corporations. Additionally, students may study at post-secondary schools in either English or French.

Industry and employment in Ontario

Unemployment in June 2011 was at 7.7 percent, which was lower than the U.S. rate of 9.2 for that same period. Major, traditional employment sectors include the following seven:

manufacturing
agriculture
forestry and mining
telecommunications
life sciences
automotive
services, which range from finance to arts and culture

Emerging industries include aerospace, health informatics, distance learning, environmental and green energy technologies and multimedia. Professionals expected to find the best prospects in 2013 are healthcare managers and computer and information systems managers.

Author: Jessica Santina has a master of arts degree in English, and currently works as a freelance writer and editor. She also has 10 years' experience teaching college writing.

Sources:

Bureau of Labor Statistics • United States • Sep 16, 2011 • http://www.bls.gov • http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.us.htm • Economy at a Glance

David Macdonald and Erika Shaker • Under Pressure: The impact of rising tuition fees on Ontario families • Aug 01, 2011 • http://www.policyalternatives.ca • http://www.policyalternatives.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/publications/Ontario%20Office/2011/08/Under_Pressure.pdf

Economy - Overview • http://www.ontario.ca • http://www.ontario.ca/en/about_ontario/EC001036.html?openNav=economy

Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities • Labor Market: Did you know? • http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca • http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/labourmarket/currenttrends/index.html

Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities • Labor Market: What new occupations and industries are emerging? • http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca • http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/labourmarket/ojf/upComingJobs.html

Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities • Labour Market: Where are job trends headed in the future? • http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca • http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/labourmarket/ojf/trainingTrends.html

Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities • Study in Ontario • http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca • http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/postsecondary/study/

People and Culture - Demographics, Education and Labour • http://www.ontario.ca • http://www.ontario.ca/en/about_ontario/004565.html?openNav=people_and_culture

Computers have become an integral part of everyday life in business, in schools, and at home. As almost every computer will encounter a problem occasionally, there is a high demand for specialists to provide maintenance and support of computer and information systems and networks. Computer and information science support specialists provide technical assistance, support, and advice to customers and users by interpreting problems and providing technical support for hardware, software and other computer and information systems. Computer Support Specialists may give technical support through a help-desk telephone call center or by analyzing problems using automated diagnostic programs. In both cases, the job of most computer support services is just to be available to resolve recurrent computer and system difficulties.

Computer and Information Science programs are offered at many colleges, universities, community and junior colleges as well as technical schools. These programs offer courses in theory, design, development and application of computer systems and information processing techniques, as well as computer programming, real-time systems, artificial intelligence, information security, intelligence systems, logic and database applications. Computer and Information Science Programs are designed to educate you in the fundamental concepts of the computing discipline and to teach you to use your expertise in computing to help society solve problems.

Of the twenty fastest growing occupations in the country, half, including the top two, are computer related. Computer and information scientists and support specialists typically work either within a company that uses computer systems or for a computer hardware or software vendor. Increasingly, support specialists work for help-desk or support services where you provide computer support to clients on a contract basis. Persons interested in working in computer and information science or becoming a computer support specialist should have strong problem-solving skills as well as analytical and communications skills as troubleshooting and helping others are vital parts of the job

Computer Technology Career and Technical Schools in Ontario:

Computer Technology Degree Training Programs in Ontario: