Train to become an integral part of the engineering team

Program code CVTY

Duration 3 Years

Credential Ontario College Advanced Diploma, Co-op

Program Delivery Full-time

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

Program information

Program description

In this program you successfully prepare to join the rapidly evolving and growing industry of civil engineering. You are exposed to the construction and design of roads, bridges, sewers, watermains, and structures; are introduced to cost estimation; and experience field work, material testing, and project management. The application of codes and standards, site development techniques, and related computer technologies to integrated co-op placements prepares you to work with engineers, designers, and construction project managers as an integral part of the team.

If this doesn’t sound quite right for you, maybe the Civil Engineering Technician program is! You can complete your studies in just two years and get into the workforce fast.

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.
Review additional program-specific fees for this program.
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.

What are the admission requirements for the Civil Engineering Technology program?

Civil Engineering Technology admission requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, mature student status
Grade 12 English (C or U)
Grade 11 Mathematics (C, M, or U) or 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

Applicants are strongly recommended to have a minimum of their G2 license by the end of their 2nd semester for successful co-op placement.

A basic understanding of computer use for Word documents, emails, and accessing the internet is expected.

A windows compatible laptop is strongly recommended for at home use/practice of software. Most program softwares have educational versions available for home use.

Appropriate field wear is required including a high visibility vest and steel toed boots (must have CSA green triangle).

What career paths can I take in civil engineering technology?

Your Civil Engineering Technology diploma gives you many career opportunities

Graduates may find work in the private sector as quantity surveyors (estimators), purchasers, site supervisors and project managers, drafters, or designers using computer aided design (CAD) technology. Graduates may also find employment as assistants in engineering offices. Public sector employment in a variety of government agencies, including municipal building inspection/code enforcement are employment options for graduates.

Career outlook – case study of a graduate

Interested in the direction your career can take after you graduate?

Here’s how Greg Miller, President of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists, built his career after graduating Civil Engineering Technology:

Building Inspector, City of Barrie
Chief Building Official, Town of The Blue Mountains
Chief Building Official and Manager of Building Services, Town of Collingwood
President of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists
Vice president of the Institute of Engineering Technology of Ontario
Representative on Ontario Premier’s Business Mission to China and Vietnam
Member of Elliot Lake Commission of Inquiry
2018 Premier’s Award nominee

Head shot of a man in black suit with purple tie and shirt, wearing glasses, building behind him — Greg Miller, President of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists

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

The Civil Engineering Technology program at Georgian College has developed a strong connection with the City of Barrie over a number of years. Together with the college and others, the City has advised on the creation of new curriculum and continued improvement of existing program outcomes that meet the needs in both the public and private sectors of civil engineering.

With this partnership, the City of Barrie offers many co-operative work terms to our civil students, helping them to develop in their profession. The City of Barrie is a valuable contributor and partner to prepare students to gain full-time employment upon graduation.

Pathways

Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT)

This program prepares you for the educational portion of becoming a Certified Engineering Technologist (CET). This is a designation through OACETT, the governing body for engineering technicians and technologists in Ontario.

In addition to meeting the educational requirements, the program at Georgian prepares you to write your professional practice exam with OACETT, as well as assists you in preparing your technical report to submit to OACETT upon successful graduation.

To learn more, visit the OACETT website.

What courses are included in the Civil Engineering Technology diploma program?

Course overview

32 Program Courses
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses
2 Co-op Work Terms

Program-specific courses

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

CIVL 1002 – Physics for Civil Engineering
COMP 1119 – Introduction to 2D CAD for Civil Engineering
CONS 1003 – Construction Practices
MATH 1046 – Extended Math for Construction
SURV 1001 – Civil / Construction Surveying
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 Civil Engineering Technology program and Civil Engineering Technician program look very similar. Can I change programs once enrolled?

Yes, the Civil Engineering Technician (CVET) program is the first two years of the Civil Engineering Technology (CVTY) 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 CVET program to the three-year CVTY program, you are encouraged to 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 CVET and CVTY program fit resource.

What types of co-op work terms do students complete in this program?

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

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

Positions are mainly located in Simcoe County and surrounding regions, though Georgian students have worked across Canada.

Many opportunities are available with:

municipalities (e.g. inspections, right-of-way permits, design)
consultants e.g. (e.g. inspections, design work, project managers)
labs (e.g. concrete, asphalt, soil testing)
contractors (e.g. estimating, inspections, site work)

Do I have to find my own co-op placement?

A co-op preparation course is offered to all of our first-year students in co-op programs in order to prepare them for the co-op process and to provide them with information and resources needed to be successful.

Co-op in college is a competitive process, meaning you are not assigned to an employer. Students actively participate in the whole job search process in order to find a co-op position while being supported by co-op consultants at Georgian. This is done through co-op job postings, which you can apply to through the college database, or opportunities you find through your own independent efforts. Typically, we have more postings for co-ops than we have students.

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

The Civil Engineering Technology program has a pathway to the Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) degree program at Lakehead University, as well as several other articulations with various institutions.

The type of degree and curriculum focus varies by offering institution. You are encouraged to review options based on your interests.

Check out the available articulations, and contact your program co-ordinator with specific questions.

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. The reason for this is that often, with civil engineering work, you must drive to a construction site which is not on a public transportation route.

We recommend that you have your full G licence by the end of semester two.

What computer is recommended for this program?

The software used in this program (e.g. AutoCAD, Civil3D, ArcGIS) works best on a PC laptop. We recommend your laptop meet the following requirements:

Hardware: