A program that prepares students for a career in a variety of legal and professional environments is available at Ontario’s oldest community college, Centennial College. The Court Support Services program offers municipal court training to students in a two-semester format. "We look forward to the opportunity of working with the graduates of the Centennial College Court Support Services program," said Ali Maqbool, Supervisor, Court Operations, Family & Small Claims Court, Ministry of the Attorney General, when the program launched.

Because the program, which is approved by the Ministry of the Attorney General, is short courses are concentrated on field-specific topics to ensure that graduates are instantly employable upon graduation. Elective and liberal arts courses have been excluded in favour of maximizing industry preparation through topics that include: current issues in Canadian law, family and criminal court clerk training, court monitor, court registrar, and more. Included topics were chosen upon the recommendation of the Attorney General.

A hands-on learning approach benefits students, who not only complete practical, career-orientated assignments but also receive practical hands-on learning in a simulated courtroom setting. This courtroom is housed at Progress Campus and allows students to practice taking an oath and presenting before judges. A further extension of practical learning is the opportunity students have to attend family, criminal, small claims and municipal court settings as well as tribunal hearings to see seasoned professionals carry out the roles for which they are studying.

The program results in job opportunities in courtroom settings, either as court monitors or court clerks. The Ministry of the Attorney General (Ontario Court of Justice, Ontario Superior Court of Justice), municipal courts, tribunals and boards, official examiners and court reporting services all employ court monitors or court clerks.

Find more Information about Court Support Services Program visit http://www.centennialcollege.ca/Programs/ProgramOverview.aspx?Program=2470