Launch your career as an environmental technician

Program code ENTN

Duration 2 Years

Credential Ontario College Diploma, Co-op

Program Delivery Full-time +
Part-time

Program delivery method(s) In person What does this mean?

Program information

Program description

In the Environmental Technician program, you gain the experience and skills required to enter the workforce as an entry-level practitioner who has the ability to use environmental sampling, monitoring and testing equipment, and information technology tools. You become familiar with standard operating procedures for conducting environmental projects. As you progress through this program, you build applied knowledge of health, safety, and environmental legislative requirements, environmental management systems, and the basic principles of ecosystem-based management for sustainability. With a focus on experiential learning, you gain hands-on experience through fieldwork opportunities and prepare for entry into a range of positions as you undertake industry-related certifications.

If this doesn’t sound quite right for you, why not look into the Environmental Technology program? It’s a three-year option that includes three co-op terms and specialized courses like Atmospheric Science, Sustainable Technologies, Toxicology and Contaminants in Organisms and more.

Intake information

Start date	Campus
Fall 2025	Barrie

Tuition and fees

Visit our tuition and fees page for detailed information on the cost to attend Georgian.
You can afford this! Explore OSAP as well as awards, scholarships and bursaries to help you pay your way to graduation.

Work-integrated learning

This program includes a co-op work term component where you’ll gain experience in a workplace related to your field of study.
Learn about types of work-integrated learning at Georgian.

Ready to apply?

Apply as a domestic student

Apply as an international student

Still exploring your study options?

What are the admission requirements for the Environmental Technician program?

Environmental Technician admission requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status
Grade 12 English (C or U)
Grade 12 Mathematics (C or U)

Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/

Pathways

Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/

Additional information

Grade 11 or 12 science courses (for instance, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics) are strongly recommended to support students in this science-based program.

This program prepares students for various certifications/designations required by the water and wastewater treatment industry including the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MOECP):

Entry-Level Drinking Water Operator curriculum and exam (in course exam)
Operator in Training (OIT) exam (additional fees apply – see https://owwco.ca/getting-your-certificate-or-licence-for-the-first-time/)

Having an automotive driver’s licence prior to applying to co-op work term positions, which usually occur during semester two, is strongly recommended. Many employers require a full G licence to drive a company vehicle from worksite to worksite and will prefer applicants who have it.

A laptop is strongly recommended (Windows compatible recommended). Online access and/or student trial license opportunities are available for most required software.

Appropriate clothing for fieldwork is required. This includes green patch safety boots/shoes.

What career paths can I take as an environmental technician?

Your Environmental Technician diploma gives you many career opportunities

Given the diversity in program skills and knowledge, there are a number of career options in the environmental field working for small and large corporations. Potential employers include environmental consulting firms; government agencies (municipal, provincial, federal); environmental services departments in a variety of organizations; and water, wastewater and waste management firms.

Review program admission requirements and information about career opportunities.

The most memorable experience I have from the Environmental Technician program at Georgian College is the Algonquin field trip. We spent a few days in a research camp getting hands-on experience with everything we learned in class, from surveying to soils to limnology. We explored different lakes doing canoeing, a portage and we dug the soils to explore their characteristics – all accompanied by amazing landscapes and wildlife sightings. A truly unique experience.

In my current position, I work with different equipment and perform water and media analysis. In this context, the chemistry courses and laboratory components were fundamental to build on the basics to perform this job. On the other hand, the theory learned from the water and wastewater treatment courses and hands-on experiences from the field trips were key in opening the doors to my current workplace.—Natalia Contreras (class of 2016), Laboratory Technician at the City of Barrie

Accreditation

Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada)

This program is accredited by Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL Canada), formerly Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE),

This accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for co-operative education programs in Canada, and recognizes Georgian’s commitment to quality in co-op education.

Industry support

City of Barrie

For more than 20 years, Georgian has enjoyed a partnership with the City of Barrie within the areas of storm water management, water and wastewater operations, solid waste management, engineering and environmental services.

The City of Barrie supports the college’s advisory committee, special projects and co-operative education work terms.

Many of our graduates have secured full-time employment with the City of Barrie as a result of this successful partnership.

Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA)

Georgian’s Environmental Technician and Environmental Technology programs are proud to have a long working relationship with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA). LSRCA commits to furthering Georgian’s curriculum through representation on our program advisory committee, as well as assistance in seminars, networking events and field experience.

Our students gain hands-on experience through co-op work term opportunities with LSRCA. Students contribute to applied research, environmental science, as well as monitoring LSRCA projects and programs focused on key issues like low-impact development (LID) and invasive species impacts.

Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA)

The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) has a long-standing history supporting Georgian’s Environmental Technician and Environmental Technology programs. Subject matter experts from NVCA have shared their knowledge as guest speakers, participated in networking events, and represented NVCA on our program advisory committee.

NVCA representatives regularly facilitate fieldwork and hands-on-learning opportunities for various courses within our programs. Our students have benefited from co-op work terms and graduate employment opportunities in a variety of departments at the NVCA.

Flex MORE. Study Environmental Technician part-time

Benefits of studying part-time:

Register on a course-by-course basis, paying as you go!
MORE choices. We are always adding more flexible delivery programs and courses.

What you need to know:

Next steps:

Visit the part-time program page

Apply to the part-time program

What courses are included in the Environmental Technician diploma program?

Course overview

22 Program Courses
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses
1 Co-op Work Term

Program-specific courses

Semester 1 courses are listed below. For a full list of courses in the program including course descriptions, view the Environmental Technician program outline.

COMP 1059 – Computer Technology for Environmental Applications
ENVR 1005 – Workplace Safety and Employment Readiness
ENVR 1006 – Earth Science
ENVR 1009 – Foundations of Environmental Science
MATH 1035 – Applied Environmental Mathematics
PHYS 1004 – Physical Systems in the Environment
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.

Your course delivery method(s)

In person

This program is delivered fully in person and requires you to attend campus.

Learn MORE about program delivery methods

Please note, delivery methods are based on planning for the upcoming semester and are subject to change.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

The Environmental Technology and Environmental Technician programs look very similar. Can I change programs once enrolled?

Yes. The Environmental Technician (ENTN) program is the first two years of the Environmental Technology (ENVR) program. You can transfer from one program to the other and are encouraged to discuss academic planning with your program co-ordinator.

If you would like to transfer from the two-year ENTN program to the three-year ENVR program, we recommend you do so prior to the end of semester three in order to stay in sequence for co-op work terms.

To help you decide which program is right for you, review our ENTN and ENVR program fit resource.

Does this program include fieldwork?

The Environmental Technician (ENTN) and Environmental Technology (ENVR) programs at Georgian include many experiential learning opportunities.

Hands-on components include fieldwork, field trips, science-based labs and computer-based labs. The inclusion of hands-on components vary by course and by semester. With lab or fieldwork comes the associated theory and results analysis to understand and interpret what is explored in the hands-on component.

For more information, please see our ENVR/ENTN program fit resource.

What types of co-op experiences can I expect in this program?

The Environmental Technician program includes one co-op work term. The Environmental Technology program includes three co-op work terms.

Co-op consultants for these programs work with industry representatives to secure a variety of environmental positions.

Positions are mainly located within Simcoe County and surrounding regions, though Georgian students have worked worldwide.

Many opportunities are available in municipal services (e.g. water utilities, wastewater treatment, storm water management, solid waste operations, engineering), as well as environmental management, environmental conservation, and construction or aggregate sectors.

Can I further my studies and earn a degree once I complete this program?

The Environmental Technician and Environmental Technology programs have excellent pathway opportunities to earn a degree locally, nationally or internationally.

The type of degree and curriculum focus varies by offering institution. We encourage you to review options based on your interests.

Check out the Credit Transfer Centre website for more details, and contact your program co-ordinator with specific questions.

My career goal is to become a conservation officer. Will this program prepare me for this career?

The Environmental Technician and Environmental Technology programs focus on developing an in-depth knowledge of the natural environment. This knowledge is important learning for a conservation officer. These programs may be eligible to meet the admission requirements for further studies in a conservation and environmental law enforcement program.

I want to work with fish and wildlife upon graduation. Does this program include courses about fish and wildlife?

The Environmental Technician and Environmental Technology programs focus on the natural environment including water, soil and air, as well as the industrial aspects of monitoring and regulating the environment. These programs do not examine specifics about fish and wildlife.

What is the MECP water curriculum?

The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) regulates drinking water systems and wastewater facilities management within the province of Ontario. Operators of drinking water systems or wastewater facilities are required to be certified. Details on the various levels of certification for various systems can be found with the Ontario Water Wastewater Certification Office.

Within the Environmental Technician and Environmental Technology programs at Georgian, you will have the opportunity to complete the Entry-Level Drinking Water Operator Course (ELC), which is a mandatory course for those working in drinking water operations.

You are also encouraged to write the Operator-in-Training (OIT)certification tests during the first six months of the program to support co-op work term applications. Georgian is here to support you with this process.

Why is a full driver’s licence recommended for this program?

Many co-op work terms and graduate employment opportunities require a valid driver’s licence as part of the position requirements. Some opportunities are not located within municipalities or public transportation may not be available. Others require employees to drive company vehicles to get to various locations, which requires a valid driver’s licence.

Can I take this program part-time?

Georgian’s Environmental Technician program is available on a part-time basis. There is a recommended sequence of courses, averaging three to four courses per semester over a period of four years.

If you wish to complete the Environmental Technology program part-time, you can request a program change. We encourage you to consider full-time studies, if possible.