Electrical Engineering Technician Training Provides Opportunity to Enter the Field in Two Years

In today’s construction industry, Electrical Engineering Technicians play a vital role and it is only increasing as technical positions in the manufacturing sector becomes more specialized, the construction industry flourishes and retirement rates increase. These professionals work in a wide range of areas such as: power distribution and utilization, electrical power generation, transmission, and protection; industrial telecommunications, electrical maintenance and installation, control systems, services, sales, design and repair. 

But what exactly do these Electrical Engineering Technicians do in the field? Just as the areas in which they work range, so do their duties. However, all Electrical Engineering Technicians must know how to: provide technical assistance and resolution when electrical or engineering problems are encountered before, during, and after construction; assemble electrical and electronic systems and prototypes according to engineering data and electrical principles; install and maintain electrical control systems and solid state equipment; modify electrical prototypes, parts, assemblies, and systems to correct functional deviations; collaborate with electrical engineers to identify and solve developmental problems; build, calibrate, maintain, troubleshoot and repair electrical instruments or testing equipment; write commissioning procedures for electrical installations; and much more. 

At Centennial College’s Electrical Engineering Technician program, students spend two years learning exploring and mastering a defined range of electrical functions. Among these functions are: installations, testing, maintaining, repairing, analyzing and troubleshooting specific kinds of electrical circuits, equipment, and systems. Students also obtain thorough grounding in electrical engineering sciences and skills, including electrical circuits, maintenance of electrical instruments or devices, operation of electrical motors and power transmission as used in the industry. 

Guiding them through the topics are instructors with current industry experience. These instructors employ a variety of approaches, including learning that simulates actual workplace assignments. As such, students get to practice electrical drawings, diagnostics and analysis of electrical systems as well as testing and troubleshooting electrical power systems. Additionally, Electrical Engineering courses are supplemented or enhanced through the use of up-to-date SETAS labs, which provide students with extensive practice opportunity to develop skills required to assume entry-level positions in the industry. 

To apply everything they have learned, Electrical Engineering Technician students partake in a final semester course called Capstone Project. This is an opportunity to gain real life experience by working on a project that requires a great deal of research and effort, and is supervised by the instructor. 

Electrical Engineering Technician applicants must possess at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older). In addition, they must have finished the compulsory English 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent; and the Math 11M or U, or 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent.