Continuing Education Opportunities

September means back to school for the kids... and maybe you too! With so many continuing education courses available in the city, you may find a reason to pack a pencil case for yourself.

With a range of courses, diplomas and certificates to choose from in Toronto, where do you begin? Start by asking yourself what you want to accomplish and what skills you need to do so. Then investigate the different continuing education pathways.

If fun is what you're looking for, boards of education, community colleges and universities all offer general interest courses. Even stores like the LCBO and Loblaws offer fun short-term courses -- and in the middle of a job search, having some fun is a worthy goal.

For certification and skills upgrading look into programs offered by the school boards and post-secondary institutions. These courses fill up quickly so the earlier you enroll, the better. Course calendars can be downloaded from school board web sites.

School Boards

• Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (905-891-9263)
• Durham District School Board (905-436-3211)
• Peel District School Board Continuing Education (905-270-6000 x 303)
• Toronto Catholic District School Board (416-222-8282)
• Toronto District School Board (416-338-4000)
• York Region District School Board (905-884-3434)

Community Colleges

• Centennial College Continuing Education (416-289-5207) Evening, weekend and online courses in a variety of subjects
• George Brown College Continuing Education (416-415-2000 x 2) Choose a certificate program or opt for a personal interest course
• Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning Continuing Education (416-675-5000) New courses include Sushi Made Easy and On-Camera TV Anchor and Interviewer Skills
• Seneca College Faculty of Continuing Education (416-491-5050 x 2530) Seneca offers everything from golf lessons to a “success seminar” on self esteem to a certificate in Industrial Pharmaceutical Technology
• Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning School of Continuing Education (905-845-9430 x 3) Learn how to blow glass or find out what makes a psychotherapist tick

Universities

• Ryerson University's G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education (416-979-5136) Ryerson offers part-time degrees on Midwifery, Disability Studies and Health Information Management
• University of St. Michael's College (416-926-7254) Offers courses in literature, music, sprituality and Catholic studies
• University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (416-978-2400) U of T focuses on Business and Professional Studies, Arts and Science, English as a Second Language, and Languages and Translation
• York University - Division of Continuing Education (416-736-5616) Amongst other things York offers “Me as a Brand,” an 18-hour course that will help define career goals that fit your values, personality, goals and degree.

Other Learning

• The Art Gallery of Ontario (416-979-6608) offers a variety of art classes – including some drawing and painting classes for absolute beginners.
• If you'd love to do art but fear is getting in your way, check out Art Works Art School's (416-766-0662) A variety of drawing and painting courses are offered including the popular "Art for the Terrified".
• The Avenue Road Arts School (416-961-1502) offers adult arts courses in singing, ceramics, mixed media, painting and drawing.
• The Editors' Association of Canada (416-975-5528) offers courses leading to certification along with seminars on proofreading, copy editing and web editing.
• The Etobicoke Art Group (416-622-5294) offers classes in a variety of media. You must be a member of both the group and Neilson Park Creative Centre to register for classes.
• Harbourfront Centre (416-973-4000) offers beginner courses in glass blowing, ceramics, pottery, jewelry making and textiles
• The Royal Ontario Museum (416-586-5797) offers short-term courses on such topics as the Medieval Longbow and Dining with Royalty.
• The National Ballet School (416-964-3780) also offers adult classes. Not sure if ballet is for you? Take advantage of the school's "Try A Class" drop-in option.
• The Storytellers School of Toronto (416-656-2445) Find out the "First Steps Into The Art Of Storytelling".
• Toronto Image Works Institute (416-703-1999) delivers courses in film and digital photography, video animation and new media computer training.
• Toronto School of Art (416-504-7910) offers daytime, evening and weekend courses in sculpture, painting, drawing and art theory.
• Various recreation centres offer classes in painting, music and dance. Download the City of Toronto's Toronto Fun Guide or pick up a hard copy at your local recreation centre or library.