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.
