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Ministry-approved title: Civil Engineering Technician
The Civil Engineering Technician program is the perfect vehicle to launch a rewarding entry-level career in the civil engineering field. The program offers a comprehensive educational experience, combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical training. The civil engineering courses are designed to equip you with the competencies required to excel in the rapidly evolving field of civil engineering.
Students develop skills in computer assisted design and drafting (CAD), geographic information system (GIS), electronic surveying and testing construction materials, as well as project management and safe working principles in construction sites, in accordance with various Canadian civil engineering codes, quality control standards and regulations.
A field placement or co-operative education (co-op) work term will provide two options to gain experience in the workforce. Students can also access membership to the Toronto Construction Association.
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or Math. Domestic applicants who 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:
Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.
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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.
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Civil Engineering influences almost every aspect of modern human life. Much of the physical infrastructure of modern society is provided through Civil Engineering. Students in the Civil Engineering Technician diploma program will learn how to construct, maintain, and recycle the structures in communities such as dams, bridges, roads, buildings, pipelines, railways, and tunnels. Students will learn how to collect, process, and interpret technical information to produce written and graphical project-related documentation. Program graduates assist in scheduling, cost estimation, quality control, and monitoring of civil engineering projects.
Civil engineering is also responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of critical infrastructure elements that keep communities functioning, such as transport systems, wastewater treatment, gas, water, and electricity supplies. Graduates of the Civil Engineering Technician program carry out technical functions related to a broad range of civil engineering fields, including structural, municipal, highway and transportation engineering, water resources, geotechnical engineering, environmental protection, and infrastructure rehabilitation.
The diverse skill set acquired through the Civil Engineering Technician diploma program equips students to handle various challenges in constructing and managing infrastructure projects. From designing robust bridges and tunnels to developing sustainable water supply systems, students will develop a deep understanding of how to create and maintain the built environment.
This civil engineering program in Ontario teaches you how to oversee civil engineering projects from inception to completion. This includes planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and risk management, all key components to ensuring project success. You will also gain a solid understanding of safety principles on construction sites, learn how to implement safe working practices and comply with Canadian civil engineering codes, quality control standards, and regulations.
Students gain real-world experience through a field placement or co-operative education (co-op) work term. These opportunities allow you to apply what you have learned in practical settings, working alongside industry professionals and gaining insights into the everyday challenges and responsibilities of a civil engineering technician.
Graduates with a civil engineering diploma can pursue various roles, such as civil engineering technicians, construction inspectors, CAD technicians, and quality control coordinators. With an education balanced in both technical skills and practical application, you will be ready to tackle the demands of the civil engineering industry and contribute to the development of infrastructure projects.
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.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
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.
This program contains a co-op option. Click here for information on program costs for co-op students.
School is an investment in your future, and financial support is available to help you succeed.
DC's Financial Aid and Awards is here to help you access funding and opportunities that make pursuing your education easier and more achievable:
Visit Financial Aid and Awards to explore all the options to help finance your education.
At Durham College, we believe that hands-on experience is essential for preparing students to succeed in the civil engineering industry. Our Civil Engineering Technician program offer robust experiential learning opportunities that bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application.
One of the key components of this learning model is the field placement, which is typically completed at the end of the second year of the civil engineering program. This 80-hour, unpaid work placement gives students the opportunity to step directly into the civil engineering field, gaining valuable, supervised experience with local employers, municipal agencies, consulting firms, and construction companies.
Field placements not only reinforce theoretical knowledge but also allow students to develop professional networks, enhance their résumés, and gain a clearer understanding of their specific areas of interest within civil engineering. For many, these placements lead directly to summer employment or even post-graduate job offers.
Experiential learning is more than just a civil engineering course requirement—it's a launching pad for students to apply their skills, build confidence, and prepare for a successful and impactful career in the civil engineering sector.
Graduates have the opportunity to transfer into the Civil Engineering Technology program, which can serve as a stepping stone toward further education. Completion of this program opens pathways to degree opportunities such as the Honours Bachelor of Construction Management at Durham College and the Bachelor of Civil Engineering at Queen’s University, supporting continued academic advancement and long-term professional growth.
Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
Myla Minelli is the Program Coordinator for the Civil Engineering Technician/Technology program at Durham College, based at the Whitby Campus within the Faculty of Science and Engineering Technology. As a dedicated educator and leader, they play a key role in curriculum development, student mentorship, and the ongoing enhancement of academic and experiential learning opportunities. In their role as Program Coordinator, Myla has been instrumental in integrating hands-on learning into the program. They have led the implementation of advanced materials testing labs, where students use Universal Testing Machines (UTMs) to perform tensile, compression, shear, and flexural testing on structural materials such as steel and aluminum—giving students a real-world understanding of construction material behavior. Myla also champions academic pathways and professional development for students. They have supported graduates in leveraging transfer agreements to pursue further education, including the Honours Bachelor of Construction Management at Durham College and the Bachelor of Civil Engineering at Queen’s University. Their commitment to student success, practical education, and academic growth makes them a valued leader in the civil engineering academic community.
The co-op program at Durham College prepares students for the demands of the civil engineering industry by providing real-world experience. Graduates with a civil engineering diploma who have participated in the co-op program are highly valued by employers for their proven ability to apply academic knowledge to practical challenges, their readiness to contribute from day one, and their well-rounded understanding of the civil engineering sector.
By participating in the co-op program, students enhance their resumes with relevant work experience and gain a competitive edge in the job market. The combination of academic learning and practical experience positions graduates with a civil engineering diploma for successful and rewarding careers in their sector.
Students in the Civil 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 who qualify for co-op will be eligible to complete a four-month, paid work term between the second and third semesters of their program.
Supports are available through the Experiential Learning office to assist students with securing their work terms. In addition, the Experiential Learning office 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.
Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.
Once transferred to the co-op option of this civil engineering program in Ontario, 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.
Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op student.
Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op employer.
E: co-op@durhamcollege.ca
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