Diploma in Environmental Technician (Co-op)

at Georgian College - Barrie Campus Canada

Building automation systems don't just control the basics: they regulate airflow, monitor energy use and are integrated with security, lighting and other building systems to deliver comfort, safety and energy efficiency. Today’s buildings are increasingly complex, and they differ in use and size, but also in operating hours, comfort levels and environmental conditions. Offices, residences, hotels, schools and administrative buildings all have different requirements. Optimal building services technology is the result of appropriate systems design and integration during planning, construction, commissioning and operation.

This advanced diploma program in Building Automation provides students the technical skills they need for success in the job market. Students learn to:

• Install, program, adjust and maintain building automation systems
• Program and install sensors, actuators and controllers
• Collect data for use in real-time or for archiving in a central server
• Work with building software platforms that interconnect different systems

Graduates will have a diverse set of skills and abilities that will also prepare them for "green" careers focused on energy efficiency, renewable energy and the environment. This program provides a skill set that is in high demand in both the construction industry and the controls and automation industry.

Students are provided with the theoretical and practical training to perform most basic welding techniques. At the completion of the program, students are eligible to test for welding tickets based on their level of expertise. It is expected that most of the graduates will be prepared to enter the workforce as a Welder following the successful completion of this program.

Students are exposed to topics including health and safety, blueprint reading and sketching, applied math, communication, shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, introduction to computers, and all position pipe welding.

Students are prepared to manage a food services department while adhering to professional standards, quality management programs, nutritional and healthy living principles and marketing and promotional activities. In addition, graduates are able to employ a number of more complex functions supporting organizational effectiveness including supporting the design of food and nutrition human resource plan, financial analysis and control, and collaborating in the preparation of an organization's business plan or client care plan. Students apply research competencies to the assessment, analysis and problem solving with regard to nutritional needs and diagnoses.

Program Learning Outcomes

• The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
  • plan menus to accommodate the nutritional, dietary and medical needs, cultural and religious requirements, and personal preferences of clients;
  • manage handling, preparation and service of food to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies, procedures, and industry best practices for health, safety, sanitation, quality assurance and client satisfaction;
  • manage nutritional needs of diverse clients in health care and other food service settings in collaboration with or under the direction of health care professionals;
  • support others to work professionally and ethically in accordance with industry, organization and legal standards;
  • monitor relevant local, national and global trends, emerging technologies, changes to legislation and best practices to enhance work performance that may impact the management and delivery of food and nutrition services;
  • deliver customer service that anticipates, meets and/or exceeds individual expectations and is consistent with organization standards and objectives;
  • contribute to the hiring, coaching, training, scheduling, supervision and performance management of department staff in accordance with human resources, labour relations, workplace health and safety, and industry best practices;
  • apply industry best practices, financial constraints, and principles of social responsibility and environmental sustainability to inventory management and procurement of goods and services;
  • contribute to the analysis of food and nutrition services and operations, and the implementation and evaluation of changes, to support continuous improvement;
  • contribute to the planning and administration of budgets consistent with organization objectives and legal requirements for nutrition and food service departments;
  • select and use information and industry-specific technologies to enhance individual work performance and the management and delivery of food and nutrition services;
  • promote food and nutrition services and healthy living to support marketing plans and the general well-being of clients;
  • apply basic entrepreneurial strategies when considering new business opportunities within the hospitality and tourism industry.

This program carefully balances theory and practice and parallels the two year Hospitality Management - Hotel and Resort program. The unique benefits of this program are the opportunity over 1000 hours of paid work experience, extensive experiential learning, and a strong student-centred learning environment. This program delivers innovative curriculum and develops employability and strategic management skills within the pillars of the hospitality industry:

• Entrepreneurial thinking,
• Accounting and finance,
• Marketing and sales,
• Food and beverage,
• Accommodations and
• Human resources management.

Additionally, the third year focuses on developing effective professional management and leadership skills to enable students to compete for positions of responsibility in the next generation of the hospitality service industry.

This two-year program will give students a comprehensive education in the design theory and technical and aesthetic skills required by the jewellery and metals industry for entry level positions. The emphasis in Semesters 1 and 2 is on basic information and techniques as related to jewellery. Advanced jewellery techniques will be learned as well as hollowware and flatware in Semester 3 and 4. Note: Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for the post-graduate diploma program of GLDS Goldsmithing and Silversmithing.

Students gain knowledge and hands-on experience to work in an adjunctive capacity as supportive personnel to qualified Speech-Language Pathologists and/or Audiologists in a variety of treatment settings. Students focus on conducting programming after the Speech-Language Pathologist or the Audiologist has completed the assessment and determined the therapy plan, as well as practicing the variety of other types of duties within this profession.

Based on a thorough understanding of physiological and functional speech/language and hearing disorders, students develop programming skills and learn intervention techniques to evoke and sustain communication behaviours. In addition, students identify the behaviour and environmental factors that can potentially support or erode the efficacy of therapy.

The global population needs a constant supply of goods and services. To respond to these demands in a way that is cost-effective and time-sensitive requires the skilled input of supply chain practitioners: professionals and leaders who can apply logistical planning strategies, troubleshoot problems, and provide support throughout the global and domestic trade networks. Within this program, students prepare for rewarding careers in supply chain management and logistics, as they develop specialized technical knowledge and skills through practical learning activities, simulations, and guest speakers. Students gain global supply chain competencies by examining the connections between strategic objectives, stakeholder expectations, and supply chain design, functions, processes, and roles. 

In this program, students gain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to become marketing professionals who can effectively manage a range of tasks and functions within business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C), not-for-profit, and government organizations. Using a broad range of analytical and creative approaches, students gain a wide understanding of marketing management fundamentals as they focus on concepts related to advertising, promotion, public relations, marketing research and data analytics, online/digital marketing, and international marketing management. As a result, students gain valuable insight into all aspects of marketing from an online, local, and international perspective.

Program Highlights
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Formulate a marketing plan that will meet the needs or goals of a business or organization;
• Develop an integrated marketing communications plan for a product, concept, good and/or service based on an identified market need or target;
• Formulate strategies for developing new and/or modified products, concepts, goods and services that respond to evolving market needs;
• Develop strategies for the efficient and effective placement/distribution of products, concepts, goods and services that respond to evolving markets;
• Evaluate the impact of using different marketing strategies for a product, concept, good and/or service, on the finances, Return on Investment (ROI) and business goals of an organization;
• Evaluate the viability of a concept, product, good and/or service in a local, national or international market;
• Conduct market research to provide information needed to make marketing decisions;
• Communicate marketing information persuasively and accurately in oral, written, graphic and interactive media formats;
• Plan, prepare and deliver a sales presentation or pitch that addresses the needs of the client;
• Develop strategies with clients, customers, and consumers and others to grow and maintain relationships;
• Develop learning and development strategies and plans to enhance professional growth in the field;
• Apply entrepreneurial strategies to identify and respond to new career opportunities that might include contract employment and self-employment initiatives;
• Participate in and contribute to a framework of organizational policies and practices, when conducting business of the organization;
• Apply the principles of business ethics and corporate social responsibility to business decisions;
• Employ the management techniques of planning, organizing, directing, and controlling of marketing functions and activities in response to the business needs of the organization.

Students gain occupational skills for employment in the construction and renovation industry. Students practice lot layout, concrete formwork, framing, demolition, renovations, interior and exterior finish and sustainable construction techniques. Theory and applications of safety standards, building codes, blueprint reading, energy efficiency, and environmental practices are studied. Students learn to interpret the Ontario Building Code as it applies to renovations and new construction. Focus is on the residential sector. Basics of entrepreneurship are presented.

Students gain the required skills to install, service, and maintain the environmental systems for residential buildings, including working with a variety of gas appliances, as well as an introduction to refrigeration and air conditioning. Students examine energy efficient and environmentally friendly approaches; and read, utilize, and produce Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning (HRAC) drawings using industry standard software. Students gain the required skills to obtain the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) Gas Technician 2 (G.2) exams in order to become a licensed gas technician.