Civil Engineering Technology CEY
7-8 hrs/ week hands on in labs three co-op work terms
(A Co-operative Education Program)
Moderate workload
- Eight courses in your first semester
- One hour of study or assignments required for each hour in class
- 24-26 hours of class (48-52 hr/week commitment)
Holland Code: R (Realistic)
What academic skills do I need to be successful in the program?
This list does not replace the admission requirements you must have for admission to the program. Please see website for details.
Arts & Literacy Communicate effectively in English (written reports).
Math & Science Strong math skills required Physics not required, but strongly recommended.
Technology Moderate computer skills required (email, Internet, AutoCAD) Moderate use of student portal system, students need to check email and posts many times per week.
Group Work Majority of work is individual with small amounts of group work.
What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?
- Methodical, logical
- Attention to detail, thorough and neat work
- Interested in the built environment
- Excellent analytical and problem solving skills
- Able to manage others
- Strong organizational skills
- The ability to work independently
Useful background experience for this program would be
To enjoy building and drawing.
What kind of work will I do when I graduate?
Graduates of this program may go on to become a
Civil engineering technician, civil engineering technologist, construction technologist, building inspector, building materials technician, materials testing technologist, traffic technologist, highway technician, construction coordinator, foreman or superintendent, estimator, technical representative, project manager, bridge design technician, foundation technologist, municipal engineering assistant, specifications writer, structural design technologist, or structural investigator.
Typical working conditions for this kind of work:
- Work in both office settings and construction sites
- May be asked to work away from home on a major construction project
Places you may find yourself employed include
Consulting engineers, surveyors, testing and inspection firms, or government agencies, contractors involved in road and building construction and subdivision development.
Tasks a graduate may do in the workplace
- Select and test construction materials
- Computer assisted design (CAD) and drafting
- Electronic surveying methods
- Writing technical reports
- Design and prepare drawings for structures to be built of timber, concrete or steel
- Design and prepare construction drawings for highways, streets, urban subdivisions and water, sewer and storm water systems
- Assist in planning and scheduling civil engineering projects
- Prepare cost estimates and monitor project costs
- Review shop drawings to ensure that they conform to design concepts
- Perform surveying tasks during various phases of design and construction
- Inspect and supervise work at construction sites to ensure that safety and design specifications are followed and costs are contained
- Monitor construction and prepare "as built" drawings
- Analyze results and prepare statistical data, tables and drawings for traffic surveys and program traffic signals
- Inspect water and wastewater treatment systems to ensure that pollution control requirements are met
- Inspect buildings, roads, bridges, dams, power plants and other structures to assess the need for maintenance and repair work
- Design culverts and open flow channels to facilitate water run off
- Conduct field and laboratory tests on soils, asphalt and concrete, assessing them according to specifications set by Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) tests
- Install, read and interpret instrumentation (for example, slope indicators, thermistors)
- Develop concrete or asphalt mixes specially designed for specific uses and conditions
- Interpret quality control tests and prepare technical reports
- Manage projects (for example, track and report progress, prepare invoices)
Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity
Profile listed on the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists webpage:
Professional Credentials and Affiliations associated with this program
- Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT)
- Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT)
- Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB)
Opportunities for further development or education
- Graduates may also be eligible for advanced standing credit towards a Bachelor’s degree from Athabasca University, Lakehead University, McMaster University and Griffith University in Queensland, Australia
Fanshawe’s library has prepared a subject guide for current students in this program. You may find the links and information provided very useful in learning more about this career.
NOC Codes
The National Occupation Classification (NOC) system is used by the Canadian government to provide detailed information on careers. Visit the National Occupation Classification website and use the NOC codes below to learn more about careers associated with this Fanshawe College program. Please note: These codes are listed here for information purposes only. Fanshawe College does not guarantee graduates careers in these fields.
- NOC Code 2231 Civil engineering technologists and technicians
The Canada Job Bank is an excellent resource for labour market information including wages, jobs available and career planning advice.
Career Outlook
Explore Fanshawe Career Coach to learn more about related careers, employment, job postings and current local data on wages.
Last Modified: January 11, 2024