1. Complete Communication Skill Training And Enter the
Field Prepared
Do you want to get connected to the public relations industry by
attending communication skills training in the form of a Corporate
Communications and Public Relations program? Have you already
completed a post-secondly program and can submit an official
transcript demonstrating proof of successful completion? In addition,
are you able to attend an information session that includes writing and
editing exercises and submit a portfolio of writing and a resume? If
you answered ‘yes’, you may want to consider applying to Centennial
College’s Corporate Communications and Public Relations offering.
Those who can present a combination of partial post-secondary
education (two years minimum) and relevant work experience may
also be considered for Centennial College’s communications training.
Taking just one year to complete, the program is one of the most
highly regarded programs in Ontario. Among the skills learned via the
program’s communication skill training: learning to research, write,
plan, edit, design and implement everything from strategic
communications plans and employee newsletters to gala dinners for
hundreds of people. In addition, students study the importance of
creating communications strategies that influence employee attitudes,
shift stockholders’ opinions and tell an organization’s story to the
media.
Students attend eight communications courses in the first semester
and seven communications courses in the second semester. Among
these courses are: Introduction to Corporate Communications
(examines the origins and nature of corporate communications and
public relations and how both are carried out within businesses,
associations, agencies and government); Public Relations Writing
(introduces students to typical PR writing formats designed to inform.
Emphasis is on applying the fundamentals of clear, concise, coherent
written communication designed to inform specific readers, both
internal and external to the organization); Media Relations (students
examine how the communicator develops and fosters effective
relations with the news media to achieve specific communications
goals); and more.
To round out training, students partake in a communication skill
training course called Client Project, which gives them the chance to

2. put into practice the skills and knowledge acquired. Project work is
completed outside the classroom, usually independently, with off-
campus clients. The work is often for not-for-profits clients and can
involve: strategic communications planning including the production of
written and graphics pieces such as brochures, media kits or
newsletters. Students are assigned a faculty advisor for the course
and, typically, find their own clients.
Lastly, students of this communication skill training gain experience in
the field of Corporate Communications, by working fulltime for eight
weeks (or longer) at a public relations agency, a not-for-profit, a
government ministry or department, a corporation or an association to
gain practical experience and knowledge. Many Field Placements are
unpaid positions; others offer an honorarium.
Upon graduation from the communication skills training and corporate
communications courses, as an entry-level communications specialist,
students may land jobs that involve: media relations, employee
communications and web-based communications.
Summary: Centennial College’s communication skill training prepares
students to meet the demands of the fast-paced public relations field.
Author Details: Here Klaudia focuses on the features of Centennial
College’s communication skills training and corporate communications
courses, which include Public Relations Writing and Public Relations.
Keywords: communication skill training, corporate communications
courses