Environmental Technician

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Location:	Lindsay
Program Status:	Accepting applications
Program Code:	ETN
Co-ordinator:	Steve Thompson
Credential:	Ontario College Diploma
Classes Start:	September 7, 2010
Tuition/ Fees:	$1,597.50 per semester * * Tuition and fees subject to change.

Here's your chance to protect the environment. As an Environmental Technician, you will work to prevent environmental problems, resolve environmental issues when necessary, and provide education to the public.

Program Highlights

Through a wide range of activities and courses, you'll be well-prepared to monitor and improve the natural environment. With access to outstanding environmental training facilities and a biological water treatment system, your hands-on training will be an excellent complement to your in-class courses.

Of course, everyone loves the field school in semester three - off-campus - where you put your skills into practice. You'll learn from Fleming professors who have been very active in the field and possess strong backgrounds in several environmental disciplines. For example, they have been involved in local and international projects including stream rehabilitation and the development of a new, natural biological wastewater treatment system in Mexico. These experiences have led to the development of new course content that guides students to investigate new and natural methods of treating wastewater and practical methods of land rehabilitation.

Why Choose Fleming?

There's no other program like it in the country--your learning experience will be enhanced by the Solar Ecology Wastewater Treatment System (SES), a unique training facility for operating and testing small-scale wetland treatment systems. You will have the opportunity to utilize the SES as part of your applied learning. Students may also have the opportunity to assist researchers in the college's Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment (CAWT). The focus of this nationally-accredited facility is the development of wastewater treatment technologies for use in northern climates.

Graduates of the Environmental Technician Program who successfully complete the Water Treatment and Pollution Control course will have met the requirements of the Ministry of the Environment Entry-Level Course for Drinking Water Operators (which must be obtained in order to be employed as a Drinking Water Operator). The course Is delivered by Fleming College in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment and the Walkerton Clean Water Centre. In addition, graduates will also obtain four Ministry of the Environment Operator-in-Training (OIT) certificates required for employment in the water and wastewater treatment disciplines.

In addition, students are eligible for a number of environmental certifications including CCEP (Canadian Certified Environmental Practitioner) and CEPIT (Canadian Certified Environmental Practitioner-in-Training) through ECO Canada (Environmental Careers Organization), as well as C. Tech. (Certified Technician) through the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT).

Plus, we are the only college (or university, for that matter) to receive provincial funding to establish a simulated landfill site. Most of all, our grads are highly regarded by employers in the field.

Common First Semester

Students in our School’s diploma programs take the same courses for first semester after choosing and being accepted into one of our programs. This common focus exposes you to a variety of career options and other programs. You will have the freedom to explore and obtain a multidisciplinary perspective, while you acquire a base of knowledge and fundamental skills.

Although students are accepted into a specific program for their first semester, the common first semester allows you to change direction if you find another program or career area is more appealing. Once you have successfully completed the common first semester, you can enter the program of your choice in second semester, subject to enrolment capacity.

Work Experience

Textbooks are not enough when it comes to preparing capable technicians for the field. You'll have plenty of hands-on experience through the use of our specialized facilities, and you will work with others as a team during the field school off-campus. You will also participate in a multitude of field trips to both outdoor settings and industrial/municipal facilities.

What it Takes to Succeed

Obviously, you've got to enjoy working outdoors. Previous experience working for or volunteering with environmental organizations of any kind is an asset. You should also possess:

good oral and written communication skills
research skills
technical writing skills
attention to detail
analytical ability
flexibility in work environment
interest in the outdoors and protecting/improving the environment

Students would benefit by having basic computer skills including e-mail, word processing, file management and internet web browsing.

Career Opportunities

Our graduates have found themselves in a wide range of environmental careers, including:

watershed technician
environmental technician
environmental officers
special environment "Sector Compliance" team
groundwater technician
industrial and municipal water/wastewater plant operators
soil/terrain specialist
water quality technician

The employment level is consistently very high with over 90 per cent of recent graduates finding work across Canada and around the world in the public and private sectors. Employers include government ministries/departments, regulatory agencies, environmental consultants, non-governmental or non-profit organizations, and urban/rural planners.

Minimum Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including:

2 College (C) English courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12)
2 College (C) Math courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12)

When (C) is the minimum course level for admission, (U) or (U/C) courses are also accepted.

*Students starting in January are required to attend over the summer semester.

Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission. Additional testing or academic upgrading may be neccessary to meet specific course requirements for this program.

Advanced Standing

Are you a university graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree*? You may be eligible for advanced standing to enter this program in semester three. In just 8 months (2 semesters) you can:

get practical field skills and applied experience
learn to use state of the art field technology
add this Fleming College diploma to your degree
increase your confidence and marketability
network with potential employers
graduate job ready.

Contact program co-ordinator Stephen Thompson by email: stevthom@flemingc.on.ca or call 866-353-6464 ext. 3263 for more information.

*In some cases, depending on your university degree major, you may be required to pick up additional courses and pay the associated additional course fees.

Related Programs

Graduates of the Environmental Technician program are qualified to continue their education in the Technology program. You might also want to check out the Ecosystem Management, Fish and Wildlife Technician or another of our two-year diploma programs. In just two more semesters, you can obtain another Technician diploma and expand your career opportunities.