Certificate in Welding Techniques

at Conestoga College - Cambridge Campus Canada

This dynamic two-year graduate certificate is designed to give students specialized and thorough training in the detailing, supply, fabrication and installation of steel structures including the management and coordination of projects. The training is directly related to industry standards and working practices within North America and will enable students to develop detailed drawing, analytical and communication skills for the structural steel industry. Students will learn CAD skills, building information modelling (BIM), building code requirements, specifications and estimating to assist them with challenging projects. Faculty are highly qualified specialists with current and relevant field experience. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term which replaces the Career Management course.This program is available to be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. Courses will be scheduled in the afternoon and early evening to facilitate students who wish to take the program on a part-time basis while currently employed. Courses may also be scheduled to be delivered on Saturdays. Admission is available in January only. Bridging opportunities are available for trades. 

Civil engineering involves all aspects of designing, constructing, and maintaining our cities to serve the needs of growing communities. As a technologist in this field, you will aid in the design and construction of subdivisions, highways, stormwater management, drinking water systems, waste-water systems, landfills, and structures. The Civil Engineering Technology program at Conestoga College is a three-year advanced diploma program (with optional co-op) where students gain a balanced education in civil engineering, combined with hands-on skills in labs and in the field. Students will:design clean water distribution, waste-water purification, and stormwater management systems;conduct designs of wood, steel, masonry, and concrete structures;test soils, road, and construction materials in the lab and in the field;learn how to use modern survey technology (including GPS) and apply these techniques to land development projects;create engineering drawings using AutoCAD and Civil 3D for civil projects;study the design of roads, highways, and transportation construction management; anddemonstrate their knowledge of civil engineering through a final capstone project working directly with industry experts. In this program, you will be under the guidance of faculty who are passionate about their field, have strong ties to industry, and are vested in helping you to achieve your career goals. Graduates can become Certified Engineering Technologists (CET) through the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT).

The Bachelor of Engineering - Building Systems Engineering (BSE) program is one of the newest engineering degrees offered in the School of Engineering delivered at the honours level. Unique in Canada, this paid co-op program explores the present and future of modern buildings and their increasingly complex operational systems. The BSE program targets motivated individuals looking for challenging careers in design and integration of building systems, energy and utilities management, building operations and facilities management. Delivered using a project-based learning environment, the BSE program allows students to solve real-world problems by integrating mechanical, electrical and control engineering knowledge with environmental, business, project management concepts and team dynamics skills. The twelve months of paid co-op opportunities, strategically integrated with academic semesters, enhance students’ skills and job readiness. Graduates will be able to pursue a professional engineering career through licensing with Professional Engineers Ontario.

The Food Safety and Quality Assurance - Food Processing program is a two-semester, full-time graduate certificate program designed for students having a previous degree or advanced diploma in science, food or engineering, and who want to be prepared for a career in the food processing industry in the area of food safety and quality assurance. The program offers a suite of courses designed to enhance skills and knowledge gained in previous education stages for direct applicability in the food processing environment with respect to food safety and quality assurance. The Food Safety and Quality Assurance program is unique in Ontario because students apply their learning in Conestoga's pilot plant facility, enabling learners to incorporate theoretical knowledge in quality assurance and food safety to the practical environment of food manufacturing. Upon completion, graduates will have practical experience in food safety applications in the industrial processing environment, a strong understanding of Canadian and international food safety regulations, HACCP principles, and knowledge of the inter-dependence between cleaning and sanitation principles, food safety concepts and quality assurance and quality control elements typical of the food processing sector.

Program Outcomes

• Apply scientific concepts of chemistry and microbiology to the development, monitoring and maintenance of food safety and quality assurance systems specific to the food processing industry.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of practical applications of food safety and quality assurance system elements in a real food manufacturing environment, across the logistics chain from the farm to the consumer.
• Analyze law and regulations applicable to food processing from the perspective of food safety and quality assurance and their effects on operational activities in a food manufacturing facility.
• Create and modify food safety and quality assurance system components such as policies, procedures, and instructions, based on scientific principles and in line with pertinent regulations and laws, using clear communication and appropriate terminology.
• Recommend means to mitigate and control risks through cleaning and sanitation, traceability, HACCP, Good Manufacturing and Good Agricultural Practices, and other quality assurance and food safety elements based upon food safety risk assessments of food manufacturing activities.
• Recommend changes to processes and procedures by employing food safety and quality system audit tools (i.e. GFSI, ISO) that inform compliance of food processing operations to laws and regulations.
• Collect, prepare and test food and environmental samples using appropriate laboratory techniques.
• Analyze, interpret and report on the results of sampling programs and studies relative to food safety and quality assurance processes to draw conclusions and make recommendations that align with regulations and established industry practices.

This dynamic three-year program gives the student broad and thorough training in all phases of the building industry. The training is directly related to industry standards and working conditions, with challenging projects encompassing building design, building performance, working drawings, building systems, estimating, building-code analysis, specifications, and building information modelling (BIM). Founded on project-based learning principles, the program uses discussion groups, seminars, field trips and practical assignments. Sustainable design and construction practices form the core of this program and cover such topics as structure, building envelope, whole building and universal design, building science, indoor environment systems, building economics, sustainability, renewable energy and energy efficiency. Faculty are highly qualified specialists with current and relevant field experience. The local industry actively supports this program and is used as a teaching resource. The optional co-op stream includes two co-op work terms.The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) conditionally recognizes this program as meeting all the academic requirements for certification in the Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) category.

In the Welding and Fabrication Technician diploma program, students will develop the broad base of knowledge and skills required for the layout, preparation, forming, fitting, joining, and inspection of welded fabrications.
Students will have the opportunity to study in the outstanding modern facilities at the Cambridge campus, where they will spend much of their time developing and applying their skills in a well-equipped, full-sized welding and fabrication shop. Students learn to follow metal fabrication projects from the computer-aided engineering drawing (CAD) stage, through the cutting and forming processes of piece parts, to the fitting, welding and inspection of fabrications. Students also have the opportunity to use conventional and computer numerical controlled (CNC) fabrication equipment programmed through the use of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software.

Students will also have the opportunity to develop welding skills with the common arc welding processes such as Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW or stick), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW or MIG), Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW or TIG). Opportunities to challenge welding skills qualification tests as required by the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) and or the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) will be provided. (Extra fees payable to these external weld testing authorities will apply; these tests are optional.)

Embedded Systems Development (ESD) is a four-semester graduate certificate program including a one-semester exploration of career management or an optional co-op in the embedded systems industry. The program is aimed at providing the student with a solid understanding of the embedded systems industry, gaining hands-on skills in the development (design and implementation) of both hardware and software for embedded systems.The program integrates a hands-on, practical approach to augment theoretical knowledge a student may already have coming into the program. Applied projects and lab work help prepare graduates for a career in embedded systems development. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term instead of the Guided Career Management course. 

Wireless Network Infrastructure

This program prepares graduates with degrees or diplomas in telecommunications, electronics, or computer engineering/technology for work in emerging fields in the wireless telecommunications industry. Students will enhance their undergraduate knowledge with practical skills that include the use of industry standard tools (drivetest tools, propagation tools, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, etc.), and the techniques required for success in the wireless industry. Students will broaden their familiarity with troubleshooting and the configuration of local area and wide area networks (LANs and WANs) and networking topics relevant to telecom carriers including virtual private networks, quality of service, and others. Cutting-edge topics which include long term evolution (LTE) and 5th generation wireless networks, high bandwidth wireless (WiGig+) and concurrent MIMO systems, will ensure that graduates will be in high demand. 

Information Technology Infrastructure

Information technology workers need a broad range of practical skills to enhance concepts and principles that are often the focus of post-secondary study. This two-semester Ontario College Graduate Certificate program concentrates on hands-on application of network and systems administration practices and techniques commonly employed in modern IT enterprise infrastructure management.Students will gain valuable skills and knowledge in the deployment and configuration of network operating systems (desktop and server), infrastructure services and network technologies. Students will also acquire foundational knowledge to work towards challenging professional certification exams from various organizations. Graduates of this program will have the skills required to move into IT administration positions or transition into more advanced graduate studies in areas such as security, networking and operations.

Graduates from Electronics/Computer/Telecommunications Engineering Technician/Technology programs work with electronic, computer and communications equipment and systems. They are technical experts and problem solvers. Many of our graduates report that they enjoy the creative aspects of the job and seeing projects come to life. The three programs have the same first year. At the end of first year, students may switch programs if they desire. Graduates of the Computer Engineering Technology program are able to design, build, test and repair a computer-based system or any part of one. Their very strong electronics knowledge and skills enable them to take on many roles in industry. Their strength in hardware, mathematics and theory equips them to interface with the physical world. Because of the power of embedded processor chips, they are used to simplify (and make less expensive) most non-trivial equipment and systems. (Fuel injection and pollution control for automobiles is a classic example). Our graduates design, build and test the computer part of such systems. Their strong mathematical background and interpersonal skills equip them to work as part of an engineering team. Since the program is approximately half lab work and half theory, graduates have a particular advantage in the practical implementation of systems, software and circuits. The optional co-op stream includes four consecutive four-month work terms.The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) recognizes this program as meeting all the academic requirements for certification in the Certified Engineering Technologist (CET) category.The Computer Engineering Technology program has been recognized by the Royal Canadian Navy and now qualifies for Canadian Armed Forces skill recognition. Students who graduate from this program will receive advanced standing as a Weapons Engineering Technician in the Royal Canadian Navy (subject to successful enrolment in the Canadian Armed Forces).

This program provides training for those interested in a career as a food processing technician in the food and beverage manufacturing industry. It includes courses on industrial maintenance, drawings and schematics, machine technology, pumps, valves, motor controls and PLCs, as well as an introduction to food science, food processing methods, food safety and an overview of the principles of food manufacturing. All theoretical training is supported by hands-on experience in mechanical shops and a food processing pilot plant. Students in the Food Processing Technician program will receive training in mechanical systems and industrial maintenance as they apply to a food manufacturing operation and will have intensive hands-on mechanical experience with food processing equipment.The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term instead of the Guided Career Management course.

Applying to the co-op stream

• All applicants apply to the non co-op program. Students will be informed of the application deadline and process to apply for the Co-op Stream. Labour market conditions determine the number of co-op seats in optional co-op programs. Not every student who meets academic eligibility requirements will be admitted to the co-op stream.
• To be considered for admission to the co-op stream, students are required to achieve a minimum overall 70% session weighted average in Level 1 with no dropped or failed courses.
• International students will require work permits to utilize the co-op job board for job search and to accept employment. Students are currently experiencing longer than usual wait times for work permits. Please be advised that there will be no co-op program service fee refunds after the program withdrawal for refund date. Students that have not received their work permit and choose to remain in co-op after the program withdrawal for refund date do so at their own risk and will not be refunded. If you are concerned about receiving your work permit in time to achieve co-op employment, please discuss your situation with your co-op advisor as early as possible.