Are you a university Science or Environmental Studies grad? With the Environmental Technician Advanced Standing program you can get practical field skills and applied experience in just 8 months (2 semesters).
Program Highlights
There's no other program like it in the country -- your learning experience in the Environmental Technician program 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, 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).
Our Environmental Technician program has achieved accreditation by the Canadian Environmental Accreditation Commission(CEAC), a standing committee of Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada. Fleming College is one of six post secondary institutions chosen to participate in this pilot accreditation process, and one of only three colleges to achieve this program accreditation to date. "ECO Canada accreditation sends a clear signal to industry that graduates of these programs have the desired knowledge and competence to meet growing needs of the environmental sector," says Michael Kerford, Vice President ECO Canada (July 2010).
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. You will practice teamwork during field school and projects, and participate in a multitude of field trips to both outdoor settings and industrial/municipal facilities.
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 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
For program entry, you will require:
- A Bachelor of Science degree, preferably with emphasis in Environmental Science/Environmental Studies or Biology, from an accredited Canadian university.
Additional Costs
Plan on spending about $525 for books, supplies and field school.
Every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on our website and in our publications. The College reserves the right to modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable, or campus location at any time.