Fleming College

Program Highlights

As an Instrumentation and Control Technician your career will be technology-based with an applied edge.

This four-semester Ontario College Diploma program will prepare you for a hands-on, exciting and rewarding career in emerging engineering and scientific fields. This STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) based program helps future proof your career options with valuable and in-demand skills in electronics, sensing, programming, device networking, instrument calibration and science used in today's processing and manufacturing facilities world-wide. These include, but are not limited to:

• Process control, safety, electrical/electronic controls and sensors
• SCADA/PLC, DCS
• Automation/Robotics
• Industrial networking and data acquisition

You will also learn required skills in communications and project management, which will make you more effective in teams typically found in the workplace.

Your Lab

The engineering commons is where you will gain experience working with a variety of instruments and controls currently used in industry. This well-equipped facility consists of a lower level industry/factory floor area (5000 square feet) and an upper level control/electronic station area overlooking it (3000square feet).

Work Experience

Students in this program may have the opportunity to apply to paid summer co-ops. Examples of companies that have sponsored co-ops include: OPG, SGS, Andritz Hydro, Horizon Plastics, and Opcode Systems. The co-op runs during the summer between years one and two. This co-op allows you to build on your academic education, experience the work environment and make valuable contacts in one of the many diverse industries requiring instrumentation technician professionals.

Career Opportunities

Graduates can obtain employment in industry sectors that use any automation or controlled technology systems, found in the autonomous vehicles, automated inspection, processing, instrumentation, manufacturing, petro-chemical, power generation, mining, oil and gas, alternative energy, nuclear energy, water treatment/water purification, or pulp, paper and wood processing industries.

• Instrumentation and Control Technician is considered a voluntary trade in Canada, and many companies do not require trade certification
• This means you can work in the field as an apprentice, or after obtaining a related two-year diploma
• After obtaining your diploma, you can write the Trade Certification equivalency exams and obtain the Certificate of Qualification, if necessary by your employer.

Note: See Human Resources and Skills Development Canada link below for more information.

Instrumentation Technician graduates use a variety of computing, electromechanical, and test equipment to install, troubleshoot, calibrate, maintain, and repair simple or complex measurement and control devices in a variety of fields. Depending on the industry you choose, a day’s work can range from calibrating small instruments at your desk, to programming a robot to perform a certain task, to braving the elements in the Alberta Oil Sands while repairing a large valve.

Typical Job Titles:

Opportunities for employment in this field are expected to increase due to retirements, and to recent growth in the manufacturing sector.

Related Program

With just 8 additional courses you can complete a second diploma at Fleming in the Electrical Engineering Technician program and graduate with 2 diplomas in 3 years.