Cambrian adding two new programs

Cambrian College will soon be offering an art and design studio diploma program and an international business management graduate certificate program.

The college's board of governors approved the two new programs at its Feb. 28 meeting, although the new offerings still have to be OKed by the province.

Cambrian currently offers a one-year art and design fundamentals certificate, but decided to offer a second year for those who wish to earn a diploma, explained Ron Beltrame, co-ordinator of the college's graphic design program.

The one-year certificate was meant for students who want to enter graphic design or animation but didn't have a portfolio.

“However, we discovered there's a significant number of them who may not want to go into either of those career paths, who just want to continue on practising as fine artists,” Beltrame said.

Very often, people don't have the space in their homes for large-scale projects such as sculpture or own the machinery needed for disciplines such as silk screening, meaning Cambrian's facilities are valuable to them, he said.

The second year of the art program, which will be offered starting in September 2014, will mostly consist of time in the studio with the mentorship of experienced artists. This means it's a low-cost program, Beltrame said.

Students will also take a business of the arts course so they learn how to make a living from their skills, he said. For example, they'd learn about marketing, grant applications, staging art shows and pricing their work.

“Our old fine arts program taught the technical aspects of being an artist, but not the business side of it,” Beltrame said.

He said the college hopes to attract up to 12 students to take the arts program's second year, although Cambrian could break even with just five students.

About $15,000 worth of renovations to the existing facilities are also required to change the layout so it can accommodate more students, Beltrame said.

He said he was “thrilled” to receive approval for the program from the board of governors.

“We've been working on it for about two years now, so we're really excited to start it,” Beltrame said.

The international business management graduate certificate program, which will be offered starting in January 2014, is a one-year program featuring two semesters of in-class study along with eight weeks of work placement.

The college is targeting international students, college and university graduates and business managers seeking a credential in international business to enter the program, said Joan Campbell, the college's dean of business.

Many times, international students plan to go into business in their home countries once they're done their studies in Canada, which makes them perfect for this course, she said.

However, these students are seen as more valuable if they have some work experience in North America, Campbell said. That's why the college would find them work placements somewhere in Canada.

Conversely, with Canadian students, Cambrian would try to find them an international work placement, she said.

With many mining supply and service sector companies in Sudbury making deals overseas, there's a demand in the region for employees trained in international business, Campbell said.

Graduates also have the opportunity to work for companies that have branches around the world, she said.

“I think it's a valuable program that not only helps to develop students' skills, but helps out our local industries in terms of having students that come with the skills and knowledge,” Campbell said.

“They're ready to work in that multinational environment.”