Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion Program Geared Towards Mature Applicants
“Returning to school in the Workplace Wellness Health Promotion program, after 25 years experience as a nurse, was the perfect choice for me,” says 2009 Centennial College graduate Amy Langer. “It gave me the skills to take my career to the next level, with formal training in how to integrate wellness, health promotion and program planning.” Amy’s testimonial shows how Centennial College’s offering benefits mature students who already have a post-secondary credentials or experience in the health field. Let’s take a look at specific benefits of the Wellness and Health Promotion program at this school.
First and foremost, the undertaking only takes two semesters to complete and students are fully prepared to enter the field thanks to a range of skills that include: assessing the wellness needs of individuals, groups, organizations and communities; designing, implementing, evaluating and managing effective individual and agency intervention strategies and wellness programs to achieve goals mutually determined through consultation; analyzing the trends and issues in the political, social and economic environment and effectively delivering contemporary health and wellness programs that address these factors; providing appropriate referral information to assist individuals, groups and organizations; applying research design and methods to workplace wellness and health promotion projects; and more.
Secondly, students learn in an environment that takes into account their mature status. As such, program content includes: program planning, program management, physical health, mental health management, nutrition, health promotion theory, organizational development, environmental health coaching, research and business skills. This Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion program curriculum is taught to students by experienced professionals who are well versed in psychosocial and physical health issues, and also emphasize management, nutrition and health promotion theory, a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach, mental health management, environmental health and more.
Thirdly, offered are real-world components that will allow students to experience what they may encounter in the field. Among these practical applications are: designing promotional materials for mini-fairs and health awareness events and partaking in a two-day-per-week in a work placement at locations such as Health Systems Group, Ministry of Education, Mt. Sinai Hospital, The Cooperators, Toronto District School Board, York University, Variety Village, Ontario March of Dimes and more. To partake in the work placement component, students must have an annual clear police check with vulnerable sector screening; successful completion and annual renewal of a recognized course in CPR (Health Care Provider level) and successful completion of a recognized course in Standard First Aid.
Once students of the Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion program graduate, they may continue on at their placements or find jobs in corporate employee wellness, community health promotion and not-for-profit organizations. They may also enter wellness entrepreneur positions like wellness coordinator, health promotion consultant or program manager.
Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion program applicants must have completed a college advanced diploma (three-year), or university degree in any discipline as well as be able to demonstrate English.
