Start your career off by developing essential skills required by environment sector employers and by being prepared to participate in the green economy. The Environmental Technician pro­gram provides a well-rounded background for employment in a wide range of sectors through courses in water and air quality, waste management, occupational health and safety, and environmental assessment.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Program highlights include field courses at the end of the second and fourth semesters and a four-week work placement.

Students benefit from the College’s partner­ship with the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences. The River Institute, located on the Cornwall Campus, is a centre for scientific research focusing on the St. Lawrence river and the sur­rounding environment. Scientists at the River Institute are actively involved in the teaching of many of the science and field courses in the program and they work with the College in ongoing program development. Through this partnership, you will have an opportunity to learn and work with research scientists on a variety of environmental issues.

PLACEMENT
The 160 hour work placement offers students the opportunity to observe and experience first-hand the operations, processes and protocols of an environmental technician related workplace environment. It is designed to immerse students in the real world of the work and promote the successful integration of curriculum elements in an applied setting. It provides the opportunity to access equipment or processes that may not have been accessible in the program, promotes opportunities for specialization and provides increased awareness of the industry and job potential. Placement is a four week unpaid full time commitment completed at the end the program. Placements can be at approved local, regional, out of province or international sites, private or public institution.

Current environmental legislation requires increased monitoring and testing of the natural environment and the industrial, agriculture and public sectors. Employment opportuni­ties are expanding in these areas.

Graduates of the Environmental Technician program find work in the following areas:

Environmental consulting firms
Water and wastewater treatment plants
Government ministries
Industry and private companies
Testing laboratories
Research institutes
Conservation authorities
Types of activities you may carry out in these career areas include:

Sampling air, water, soil, plant, and animal populations
Testing air, water, and soil samples in the lab
Assessing areas for environmental impact
Designing ways to reduce the impact of waste on the environment
Implementing legislation requirements and health and safety procedures
Assisting in the design of environmental programs in the public and private sectors
Preparing reports and proposals
Entering and analyzing data using com­puter applications