Diploma in Electrical Engineering Technician

at Conestoga College - Cambridge Campus Canada

The Power Systems Engineering (PSE) program is a four-year Bachelor's degree designed to meet the demand for engineers in the rapidly evolving electrical power sector. This program provides a study of electrical power engineering, trans-disciplinary engineering of renewable energy generation, and smart-grid and energy conservation technologies. The program provides a solid foundation in mathematics, science, and engineering theory, and gradually builds practical and engineering design skills as well as a full spectrum of employability skills through its project-based learning approach and paid co-operative education.

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 this diploma program, students gain skills for a career in today's automated manufacturing setting. In addition to developing a thorough knowledge of numerically controlled manufacturing systems, students will acquire a comprehensive background in general manufacturing and design fundamentals. This broad?based curriculum includes: learning and applying numerical control (NC) programming concepts; utilizing CAD/CAM techniques to integrate design and manufacturing; an introduction to the world of robotics; an introduction to designing power-transmitting devices and developing and applying quality assurance process planning and production control techniques to the solution of practical manufacturing problems. Today's effective technician is also a skilled communicator, and students will learn to communicate technical information at all levels through the use of linguistic, graphic and computerized methods. There is a common first two years with the Mechanical Engineering Technology (Automated Manufacturing) program. 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 Technician (C.Tech.) category.The optional co-op stream includes two co-op work terms.

Increased concern regarding the protection and management of the environment has resulted in the environmental field becoming one of the future-facing industries in Canada and abroad. This graduate certificate program meets the demand for trained technologists and environmental scientists in the areas of brownfield redevelopment, environmental monitoring, regulatory compliance and enforcement. It was developed in consultation with representatives from the environmental industry. The program is reviewed and updated by a Program Advisory Committee comprised of practitioners from the consulting, manufacturing, and public sectors.For qualified college or university graduates, this program enhances existing skills and competencies. The training provided prepares graduates to act as key players in responding to today's environmental challenges. Studies focus on the application of current engineering and scientific principles to protect and manage the environment in the following areas:- environmental monitoring and investigations- environmental auditing and assessment- management and clean up of contaminated sites- environmental enforcement and regulations- solid and hazardous waste management- 40-hour HAZWOPER training- water quality- air quality monitoring and permittingGraduates will be prepared to write Ministry of Environment Operator in Training (OIT) and Water Quality Analyst (WQA) licensing exams. Classroom instruction will be complemented by environmental monitoring training in the field, visits to solid-waste and industrial facilities, health and safety training, and visits to sites undergoing environmental investigations or clean up. The 40-hour HAZWOPER training course is offered as part of the program curriculum. During the completion of a term project, students are provided with mentoring advice from practicing environmental engineers, technologists, and scientists. The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term.

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.

Students will gain broad-based mechanical engineering technology skills to prepare for career opportunities in today's increasingly complex and sophisticated industry. Studies emphasize mechanical design using standard procedures, computer graphics and computer-based analysis. Students also study manufacturing processes and materials to understand the integration between design and manufacturing. Effective technical communications through verbal, written, graphic and computer skills are also stressed. 

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.

Co-op Information
Co-op programs add value to your education. Earn while you apply what you learn in a real workplace environment. See the Co-op webpages for more details.
The College cannot guarantee co-op employment. All co-op students are required to conduct an independent co-op job search in addition to the supports and services provided by the Department of Co-op Education.
Students are responsible for their own transportation and associated costs in order to complete work term requirements. Work locations may not always be readily accessible by public transportation.

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. 

The Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical Systems Engineering (MSE) program, delivered at the honours level, is accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) allowing graduates to become professional engineers after completing their mandatory work experience and writing a professional practice exam.The program integrates a rich blend of interdisciplinary topics covering mechanical, industrial and control engineering to enable graduates to design complex computer-controlled mechanical systems. Automated manufacturing systems, comprised of mechanical components, conveyors, electrical and pneumatic actuators, sensors and robots are examples of such mechanical systems.The MSE program is delivered in a unique project-based curriculum model allowing students to learn by doing while developing strong skills in business methodologies, project management, environmental protection and interpersonal and team dynamics. As they work on increasingly complex projects, students progress from the technical fundamentals to advanced leading technologies in design, manufacturing and automation. This project work, combined with twelve months of paid co-op opportunities, thoroughly prepares MSE graduates for a successful career in a variety of engineering fields.

With the focus towards a lower-carbon future, energy professionals are in high demand. This three-year program is specifically designed to meet the high demand for engineering technologists in electrical power generation, transmission, and distribution, as well as in low-carbon energy systems, smart building systems, and energy management.Topics include conventional and renewable energy generation, including distributed energy resources for Ontario’s low-carbon energy future. Students will develop a strong electrical engineering technology foundation in electrical fundamentals, motors and control, programmable logic controllers, power system generation, transmission/distribution, protection and control, and grid transformation/smart grids. In addition, topics such as residential/commercial/industrial energy savings, building automation, analytics, energy storage, HVAC systems, and energy auditing are applied for careers in the growing specialty of conservation in private and public sector jobs. Mechanical topics include statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics as they apply directly to various energy systems.Throughout the program, students gain applied experience in AutoCAD and Revit, safety practices, safety standards and equipment, technical writing, and project management. Theory is applied practically in many laboratory settings.Strong industry support is evidenced by the program's high employment rate and successful optional co-op stream. Students benefit from the well-established, high-quality labs, relevant field trips, and active industry mentorship. Faculty have current, specialized credentials and are well-connected with industry to assist with graduate employment. Students enjoy analyzing Conestoga’s on-site 250 [ton] geothermal heat pump system and associated 500 [kW] PV solar system as they witness the journey to net-zero emissions on campus.Graduates have developed an applied theory in both mechanical and electrical systems and, as a result, are uniquely prepared to perform technological functions in various aspects of electrical, power, and energy fields for the exciting growth in Ontario’s low-carbon and smart-energy future.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.The optional co-op stream includes four consecutive four-month work terms.