Re-schooling

[John Fleming]

I guess this isn't the typical transition-style re-skilling, but I recently realized I was living near to the George Brown campus that teaches most of the technical/trade skills (near Casa Loma/Dupont subway).

Something to consider if you have continuing education options near you or can't find any other trainer.
http://coned.georgebrown.ca/

Just finished the second class of Woodworking and we've started using handsaws and a hand planer. Pretty fun once the curls of wood start flying!

Final Update June 20, 2010
Course completed! Note the fabulous masterpiece sawhorse below, the final project. All-in-all quite a decent woodworking intro, I now have some basic confidence and ability with most of the common hand and power tools. Next, I'll set up a small workshop in the basement and see if I can build on that experience.

Availability of courses like this may be an advantage of Transition in the city; don't despair if you have limited space and no place to garden!

More ideas:
St. John's Ambulance
http://www.sja.ca/Ontario/Training/Pages/TorontoCourseCalendar.aspx

Motorcycle/Scooter Training
http://www.humber.ca/motorcycle/

Harbourfront Centre - Glassblowing, Carving, Sewing, Bookmaking
http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/learn/courses/design.cfm

City of Toronto seminars
http://wx.toronto.ca/festevents.nsf/conferences?openform


(Please comment with your favourites)

[John Fleming]

Though I would dredge this up again with an update... I'm trying to keep going at the wood skills.

I've been building a workbench over the past few months and can soon try my hand at actual furniture.  Found there's lots of great how-to videos out there showing different techniques.

My first mortise and tenon joint:

The base:

And finally gluing up the top:

Also, my wife and I found a GroupOn for sewing classes at http://www.lovesewing.com (On Yonge, south of St.Clair). The classes are somewhat intense but quite decent. I feel like I can sew now. Even thinking of buying a sewing machine - could work well with the furniture if I want to try some upholstery.

 

 

 

[John Fleming]

If you drill down right into the courses they have the price listed. This is the one I'm taking:
http://coned.georgebrown.ca/owa_prod/cewskcrss.P_CrseGet?subj_code=...

...it is $354. 13 x 3.5 hour classes - about 45 hours of class time.

[Josh Graham]

How much does a course cost? That's something I've been interested in for a while.