Electrical Engineering Technician (Co-op option available)

Program Overview

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Electrical Engineering Technician (Co-op option available)

Program Overview

The electrical industry includes a broad range of workplaces including construction, electrical utilities, power plants, manufacturing and the oil and gas sector. Students pursuing this program will develop a range of skills to succeed as an entry-level electrical engineering technician performing a range of functions under the supervision of a qualified person. This program explores the measurement of temperature, pressure, flow, level, installation methods, and wiring systems. You will also learn about applicable codes, standards and best practices in the trade. Upon graduation, students can pursue a range of careers like an instrumentation technician, or they may move on to pursue an apprenticeship and work towards becoming a licensed electrician. Graduates will meet the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development working at heights training requirement.

Intakes and Availability

• September 2025: Waitlisted (Domestic), Open (International)
• January 2026: Open (Domestic), Closed (International)

Program Highlights

• Success Stories
• Resources

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)
• Grade 12 Mathematics (C, M or U)

Recommended

• Technical Mathematics
• Grade 11 or 12 Physics and Chemistry

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.

Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.

DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:

• Grade 12 Math (MAP4C equivalent)
• Grade 12 English (ENG4C equivalent)
• Grade 11 Biology (SBI3C equivalent)
• Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4C equivalent)

Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.

Tuition

• Year one domestic: $2,907 (CAD)
• Year one international: $15,493 (CAD)

Semester 1 Courses

• ELEC Prints 1 (BLUE 1409)
• ELEC Code I (CODE 1402)
• ELEC Electronics 1 (ELCT 2400)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• ELEC Installation Methods I (INSL 1401)
• Mathematics I (MATH 1424)
• Construction Site Safety (SAFE 1408)
• Electrical Trade Theory 1 (TRAD 1411)

Career Options

• Building automation technician
• Instrumentation technician
• Technical sales
• Certified fire alarm apprentice
• Electrical apprentice
• Elevating device mechanic apprentice
• Field specialist, fibre optics
• Telecommunications technician

Program Details

As an Electrical Technician student, you will learn the fundamentals of electrically based technologies and how to assemble, install, test and calibrate electrical testing equipment.

This program will focus on the skills required to install and maintain current industrial, electrical and electronic systems, including programmable logic controls, and enable you to develop troubleshooting and problem-solving skills through theoretical and extensive hands-on training.

Topics include:

• Electrical theory
• Instrumentation
• Motor controls
• Canadian Electrical Code
• Blue Prints
• Electronics
• Building systems (fire alarms, data networks, security, etc.)

Hands-on instruction will account for up to 35 to 45 per cent of class time. If you successfully complete Year 1 and choose to leave at that time, you will receive an Ontario College certificate in Electrical Techniques.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Interpret and produce electrical and electronics drawings including other related documents and graphics.
2. Analyze and solve routine technical problems related to electrical systems by applying mathematics and science principles.
3. Use, verify, and maintain instrumentation equipment and systems.
4. Assemble, test, modify and maintain electrical circuits and equipment to fulfill requirements and specifications under the supervision of a qualified person.
5. Install and troubleshoot static and rotating electrical machines and associated control systems under the supervision of a qualified person.
6. Verify acceptable functionality and apply troubleshooting techniques for electrical and electronic circuits, components, equipment, and systems under the supervision of a qualified person.
7. Analyze, assemble and troubleshoot control systems under the supervision of a qualified person.
8. Use computer skills and tools to solve routine electrical related problems.
9. Assist in creating and conducting quality assurance procedures under the supervision of a qualified person.
10. Prepare and maintain records and documentation systems.
11. Install, test and troubleshoot telecommunication systems under the supervision of a qualified person.
12. Apply health and safety standards and best practices to workplaces.
13. Perform tasks in accordance with relevant legislation, policies, procedures, standards, regulations, and ethical principles.
14. Configure installation and apply electrical cabling requirements and system grounding and bonding requirements for a variety of applications under the supervision of a qualified person.
15. Assist in commissioning, testing and troubleshooting electrical power systems under the supervision of a qualified person.
16. Select electrical equipment, systems and components to fulfill the requirements and specifications under the supervision of a qualified person.
17. Apply project management principles to assist in the implementation of projects.

Courses

The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.

Semester 1

• ELEC Prints 1 (BLUE 1409)
• ELEC Code I (CODE 1402)
• ELEC Electronics 1 (ELCT 2400)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• ELEC Installation Methods I (INSL 1401)
• Mathematics I (MATH 1424)
• Construction Site Safety (SAFE 1408)
• Electrical Trade Theory 1 (TRAD 1411)

Semester 2

• ELEC Prints 2 (BLUE 2400)
• ELEC Code 2 (CODE 2400)
• Communications (COMM 2400)
• ELEC Installation Methods 2 (INSL 2400)
• ELEC Instrumentation I (INST 1401)
• Mathematics 2 (MATH 2401)
• ELEC Motor Controls (MOTR 2402)
• ELEC Signaling Systems (SIGN 2400)

Semester 3

• ELEC Prints 3 (BLUE 3400)
• ELEC Code 3 (CODE 3400)
• ELEC Electronics 2 (ELCT 3400)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• ELEC Installation Methods 3 (INSL 3400)
• ELEC Instrumentation 2 (INST 3402)
• Mathematics for Technology 1 (MATH 3401)
• Electrical Trade Theory 2 (TRAD 3400)

Semester 4

• ELEC Prints 4 (BLUE 4400)
• ELEC Code 4 (CODE 4400)
• ELEC Electronics 3 (ELCT 4400)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• ELEC Installation Methods 4 (INSL 4400)
• ELEC Instrumentation 3 (INST 4401)
• ELEC Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC 2401)
• Electrical Trade Theory 3 (TRAD 4400)

Course Delivery

In person

Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.

Costs

The fees below are estimates only based on information available at the time of publication, and do not include the cost of textbooks. There may be additional costs; however, not all courses require textbooks.

Electrical Engineering Technician Year 1 Costs

• Semester 1: $2,959.48
• Semester 2: $2,067.22

Electrical Engineering Technician Year 2 Costs

• Semester 3: $2,377.64
• Semester 4: $2,047.64

Scholarships Available

Learn more about two amazing scholarship opportunities for students enrolled in full-time certificate and diploma programs in some of the most in-demand skilled trades fields:

• Canerector Scholarships – 10 valued at up to $5,000 each
• Schulich Builders Scholarships – 10 valued at up to $40,000 each

Career Options

• Building automation technician
• Instrumentation technician
• Technical sales
• Certified fire alarm apprentice
• Electrical apprentice
• Elevating device mechanic apprentice
• Field specialist, fibre optics
• Telecommunications technician

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:

• Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) bridge – Ontario Tech University
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Educational Studies and Digital Technology – Ontario Tech University
• Bachelor of Applied Business - Davenport University

Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Tech Requirements

To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.

• Processor: i7
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1
• Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
• Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
• Camera: Webcam/built-in camera
• Internet connection

Meet Your Faculty Experts

• Brad Tamlin, Faculty Member, Faculty of Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship (STA)

Co-operative Education (Co-op)

The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals.

Students in the September intake of the Electrical Engineering Technician Diploma program will be invited to apply to the co-op option during their first academic semester. Entrance to the co-op option is limited and the processes for securing a work term are competitive. Students enrolled in the co-op option are required to complete a four-month, paid work term between the second and third semesters of their program.

Supports are available through Experiential Learning to assist students with securing their work terms. In addition, Experiential Learning is in contact with co-op students and their employers during the work terms to help with any questions. Upon completing the work term, co-op students return to campus to complete their final two academic semesters of the program before graduating.

Program Sequence

September intake:

• Fall (September to December): Academic semester 1
• Winter (January to April): Academic semester 2
• Summer (May to August): Co-op work term 1
• Fall (September to December): Academic semester 3
• Winter (January to April): Academic semester 4

Co-op Administrative Fee

Once transferred to the co-op option of this program, students will have a co-op administrative fee of $475 assessed to their accounts during the academic semester(s) prior to scheduled work term(s). The administrative fee goes to support the broad array of support services provided to co-op students. These services are dedicated to support student success.

Experiential Learning

Durham College has invested in developing new student work integrated learning opportunities in the School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship and Renewable Technology. By enhancing our existing partnerships with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the Durham Region Home Builder’s Association, new field placement and co-op opportunities have been created. Several programs will benefit from these partnerships including Gas Technician 2, Building Construction Technician and Carpentry and Renovation Technician.

Program Outline

Careers:

• Building automation technician
• Certified fire alarm apprentice
• Electrical apprentice
• Elevating device mechanic apprentice
• Field specialist, fibre optics
• Home theatre installer
• Overhead linesman
• Rail signaler
• Telecommunications technician