Launch your career as an environmental technician
Environmental Technician Ontario College Diploma, Co-op program
Be career-ready in just 20 months, with four months of paid work experience. Hands-on lab/field experience plus theory. MECP water curriculum included.
Part-time
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.
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.
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.
Lakehead-Georgian program
Earn a diploma and degree in just four years!
Georgian College and Lakehead University partner to offer students interested in environmental studies a unique opportunity.
In four years, you can earn an Honours Bachelor of Arts and Science – Environmental Sustainability (Specialization in Ecosystem Management) degree from Lakehead with an Environmental Technician diploma from Georgian College.
Completing both programs on their own would take an additional two years. Do them together to get more qualifications and break into the job market faster!
Flex MORE. Study Environmental Technician part-time
Benefits of studying part-time:
What you need to know:
Next steps:
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.
Please note, delivery methods are based on planning for the upcoming semester and are subject to change.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Check out our other related programs
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Environmental Technology
Prepare for a career in the environmental sector. 12 months paid work experience. A blend of hands-on experience plus theory. MECP water curriculum included.
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Do you have questions about Environmental Technician? Contact us!
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