Ignite your career as an electrical engineering technician

Program code EETN

Duration 2 Years

Credential Ontario College Diploma, Co-op

Program Delivery Full-time

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

Program information

Program description

Students are provided with the theoretical knowledge and technical skills to enter the electrical workforce. Classroom learning is combined with extensive hands-on experience in well-equipped, modern labs. Students are introduced to power transmission and distribution and robotics as well as maintenance and troubleshooting techniques for industry, with a strong focus on health and safety. Computer aided drafting, electronic and digital circuits, microprocessors, programming and programmable logic controllers are also studied. Students gain valuable experience during a co-op work term, while developing industry contacts for possible post-graduation employment opportunities.

If this doesn’t sound quite right for you, the Electrical Engineering Technology program might be more up your alley. It includes extra co-op time and advanced courses like Power Quality and Distribution, Advanced Programmable Logic Controllers and Electrical Protection and Control.

Intake information

Start date	Campus
Winter 2025	Barrie
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 Electrical Engineering Technician program?

Electrical Engineering Technician admission requirements

OSSD or equivalent with

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

Students who have graduated from Georgian College’s Electrical Techniques Certificate program (ELTQ) must apply to be admitted with advanced standing. ELTQ students, upon admission, must complete a selection of semester 1 and 2 courses to align with program progression.

What career paths can I take as an electrical engineering technician?

Your Electrical Engineering Technician diploma gives you many career opportunities

There has never been a better time to enter the field of electrical technologies. Many employment opportunities may be available to graduates in a rapidly expanding electrical field with companies in the utility sector, panel builders, green energy, automation, manufacturing, robotics and many other related industries.

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

ETAP

The college has been partnered with ETAP since 2009, using a powerful electrical analysis program in third-year courses.

The software can evaluate power systems in both the steady state and also in unusual conditions such as harmonics and during faults.

Honda of Canada Mfg.

Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) is one of the largest employers in Simcoe County, with 4,200 associates. Established in Alliston in 1986, it’s a premier manufacturing facility best known for producing the Honda Civic and CR-V.

Georgian’s $1.8-million multi-faceted partnership with HCM supports leading-edge equipment, innovative research and development, collaborative program support and newly-established scholarships for Georgian students.

HCM is a proud employer of 250 Georgian alumni in diverse roles, and provides valuable co-op work experiences to students each semester through its Technical Development Program (TDP). HCM also provides a suite of awards and scholarships to help students reach their goals, each valued up to $2,500.

Hydro One Networks

Partnered since 2008, Hydro One Networks and four colleges (Georgian, Algonquin, Mohawk and Northern) have worked together to create curriculum that meets the needs of the next generation of electrical utility workers.

Our students also participate in co-op work terms and have conducted applied research for the company.

Toronto Hydro

Toronto Hydro plays an important role in Ontario’s electricity sector, servicing approximately 785,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Canada’s largest city. The company has 1,270 employees and is dedicated to investing in its people and in the future by giving back to the community.

Toronto Hydro offers a suite of 10 awards to support Georgian students with achieving their educational goals, as well as expanded opportunities around corporate training, research, and employee engagement.

Partnering with Georgian since 2012, Toronto Hydro proudly supports enhancements to the student learning environment through funding for new state-of-the-art equipment. A proud co-op employer, the company has offered co-op work terms to more than 171 Georgian students since 2017, often leading to full-time employment after graduation. The partnership has significantly impacted alumni like Jessica Bloomfield who’s building an inspiring career at a workplace she loves.

Watch a video to learn more about Jessica’s story

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL)

SEL is delighted to be a supporter of Georgian College through Program Advisory participation, equipment donation, and co-op work terms. SEL partners with customers around the world to ensure the safe, reliable, and economical delivery of electric power. We design, manufacture, and support a complete line of products and services, ranging from generator and transmission protection to distribution automation and control systems. An employee-owned company, SEL’s core values drive the way we view our community, industry, company, and environment. third-year courses. The software can evaluate power systems in both the steady state and also in unusual conditions such as harmonics and during faults.

I applied at Georgian because of its strong partnerships with several utilities. After my first co-op, I found I didn’t enjoy working in automation. My second co-op work term was in a control room like the one I work in now. I really enjoyed my time there and liked that I got a lot of exposure to every department in the utility. In my current role, I help manage all the distribution assets in PowerStream’s service territory. I love that it’s different every day.—Ron Mori, Georgian graduate and Apprentice System Controller at Alectra

What courses are included in the Electrical Engineering Technician diploma program?

Course overview

20 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 Electrical Engineering Technician program outline.

DRFT 1003 – Introduction to Technical Drafting
ELEN 1000 – DC Circuit Fundamentals
MATH 1018 – Introduction to Technical Mathematics
PHYS 1001 – Physical Sciences
Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.
Select 1 course from the general education 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)

What’s the difference between the two-year Electrical Engineering Technician and the three-year Electrical Engineering Technology programs?

The third year in the Technology program is all advanced topics. There is also a major technical report required in the final semester. The three-year program also has an additional co-op work term.

Does the program offer a hands-on learning experience or is it largely theoretical learning?

Hands-on is a large part of our program delivery model. Electrical courses have approximately 50 to 60 per cent of the course time spent on lab assignments to be able to grasp the theoretical material we cover. The remaining time is in lectures.

What are the in-class hours like in this program?

In-class hours are 19 to 22 per week, with slight variations depending on the semester. Electrical courses are typically three or four hours each week. Three-hour courses are usually one-hour lecture with two hours of lab per week; four-hour courses are usually two-hour lecture, two-hour laboratory. There are some courses (communication, general education, math) that are all lecture, three hours in length.

Is there a set class time schedule and what does it usually look like?

When enrolling for a semester, students select a schedule timetable that has the program vocational courses (e.g. electrical, electronics, math) and then add any required communication and general education courses based on the semester requirements. Students are encouraged to select a timetable that best fits their needs. The schedules are quite varied as to when and in which classrooms the courses are delivered. The offerings normally occur Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with some evening classes depending on instructor availability.

Can I switch between programs?

Yes, you can. We strongly recommend that you select the program that you most want to complete when you start your college education. Your Ontario College application allows five selections so be sure to select your preferred program as your first choice, and the other as your second choice.

What types of careers does this program offer exposure to that going into an electrical apprenticeship does not?

General career info is listed under the Career Opportunities in the program outlines.

As a general statement, the programs cover a broad range of topics to prepare students for a wide range of careers in the electrical utility sector, in industrial automation and in other functions.

An electrician generally performs tasks related to the installation of electrical equipment according to established trade practices under the immediate supervision of a journeyperson. Technicians are entry-level practitioners who work under direction of a team lead. Technicians are expected to function as self-directed employees with limited administrative reporting, performing assigned tasks/daily duties by following established business or corporate practices.

I want to be an electrician. Do the Electrical Engineering Technician or Electrical Engineering Technology programs lead to an apprenticeship?

The Electrical Techniques program (ELTQ) is more aligned to the goal of being an electrician. Having said that, we have many grads who have done the Technician or Technology program and then gone on to be hired by a company and placed into an apprenticeship.

I want to transfer from another college or university. How many credits will I be granted?

It depends. The college requires official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions you attended along with the course descriptions of the courses.

Additionally, trades licences and on-the-job learning (safety, technical courses, corporate training) can also be used to give advanced standing exemptions.

Copies of all documents should be sent to the college’s Credit Transfer Centre for evaluation as part of your admission application. Additional information is available under Academic policies and procedures or by contacting the Credit Transfer Centre directly at 705.722.1511 or registrar@georgiancollege.ca.

Once all documents have been received, they will be reviewed and exemptions communicated to you.

Should I buy a computer or a laptop?

Students should consider the purchase of a laptop or desktop computer for school use and accessing course materials on our online learning management system Blackboard. We recommend a Windows operating system (currently Windows 7, 8 or 10) as many of the programs you will use do not have a Macintosh equivalent (Microsoft Office for students including Word, Excel, Internet Explorer and Firefox web browser). Faculty will inform students of other required software for specific courses.

Software requirements change frequently so it would be wise to ensure any computer under consideration be capable of operating MS Office software and Autodesk CAD 2016. A general specification for a computer is:

Processor: minimum P4, 3.0 GHz
RAM: 2 Gb minimum, 4 Gb recommended
HD: 1 TB minimum
DVD R/W: Optional
Keyboard/Mouse: yes/yes
External Backup drive / USB memory: 2 TB (optional) / 16 GB (required)
Speakers/Microphone/Camera: yes/optional/optional
Ethernet: Min CAT 5 RJ45
Wireless: 802.11n or other
Monitor: optional – true colour