As our dependence on electricity grows, so too does the demand for skilled electrical workers. Electrical Engineering Techniques students are introduced to electrical principles and building construction wiring while technician students advance into industrial automation and PLC programming, preparing for tomorrow's trends in next-generation robotics.
Find your career
Loyalist’s focus on industrial automation provides the foundation for a vast array of career options:
- Industrial , construction/maintenance electrician
- Alternative energy technician
- Alarm systems technician
- Smart home Technician
- Automation specialist
- Robotics technician
- Programmable logic controller programmer
- Appliance repair
- Heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC)
- Electrical estimator
- Industrial networking specialist
- Electrical inspector
- Electrical systems and products trainer
- Communications systems technician
- Gaffer (movie/video production electrician)
- Railway signal technician
- Average starting salaries range from $35,000 to $39,999.*
*Source: Employment Profile Provincial Report, Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.
Our grads get great jobs
- Electrical Designer, Bombardier Inc.
- Millwright/Machine Maintenance, Horizon Plastics International Inc.
- Construction/Maintenance Electrician, Hydro One
- Electrical Apprentice, Quorum International
- Account Manager, Torbram Electric Supply
Is it for you?
Students who thrive in this program:
- Like taking things apart and knowing how they work.
- Enjoy hands-on learning by doing.
- Enjoy working with computers and new technology.
Experiential learning
Get practical, real-life training in a supportive learning environment that nurtures one-on-one relationships with instructors:
- The first year provides a working understanding of electricity and electronics, as well as the fundamental skills needed in electrical construction and automation.
- Develop skills in electrical installation, motor control and the basics of industrial processes — including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and process control.
- Hands-on work with actual PLCs in your first year, not just simulation software.
- Students gain a solid understanding of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.
- A second year of study delivers skills required in installing, configuring, maintaining and calibrating industrial control systems, including industrial robotic and automated production systems.
- Students can apply their knowledge to extracurricular projects, such as building a racecar simulator arcade game using only automation equipment and software.
Outstanding faculty make the difference
- Learn with dedicated instructors who come from and still work in the industry.
- Professors have extensive backgrounds in manufacturing, engineering, construction, technology and telecommunications in a variety of roles such as industrial and construction/maintenance electrician, lead technician, technical project manager, network engineer and corporate trainer.
- First Year - Semester One
- ELTP1001 Basic Electricity
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Students learn the fundamental electrical principals and DC series, parallel and combination resistive, capacitive and inductive circuits. Basic AC and an introduction to three-phase power are also covered, as well as the fundamental mathematical concepts used to describe basic electricity and electronics.
- ELTP1010 Basic Installation Practices
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Students learn basic installation practices relating to electrical wiring systems used in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Students use hand tools, machinery and the actual materials used in industry. Emphasis is placed on the quality of work and safe and professional working practices.
- ELTP1005 Industrial Control
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Students install electric motor control circuits using relays, contactors, starters, push buttons and other electrical control devices. This course also covers electronic and electro-mechanical sensing devices commonly used in industrial applications.
- ELTP1002 Industrial Diagrams & Applications
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This course focuses on the basics of translating diagrams to working circuits. Students learn about electrical diagrams and symbols and how to build a circuit correctly from an electrical diagram. Extra low-voltage circuits such as communications, alarm and control systems will be explored. Proper professional procedures and workmanship are emphasized.
- SAFE1001 Occupational Health & Safety 1
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Students learn the rights and responsibilities under the OHSA. Safety related to the uses of overhead cranes, forklifts, proper hook-ups lifting loads, and awareness to safety concerns within the industry are introduced.
- MATH1018 Technical Math 1
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This math course provides skills in basic math, trigonometry, geometry, and algebra relevant to solving problems within the Electrical program.
- First Year - Semester Two
- ELTP1007 Advanced Electricity
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Students demonstrate the fundamental concepts of AC electricity in both single and three-phase applications, AC reactance and impedance, power factor, power factor correction and the analysis and troubleshooting of AC circuits. Magnetism, transformers, three-phase power and other topics related to AC systems are also included.
Prerequisite: ELTP 1001, MATH 1018
- ELTP2000 Codes & Installation Practices
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The objective of this course is for the student to be able to demonstrate the ability to use the Canadian Electrical Code, Book I to determine proper equipment, installation and maintenance requirements for Industrial electrical equipment. The student will understand and be able to apply the relevant code pertaining to industrial Control and Automation Systems. This will include the installation of fire alarm systems, emergency Stop systems, fuses, circuit breakers, as it applies to Automation Systems.
Prerequisite: ELTP 1010
- COMM1066 Communications-Common Core
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This course prepares students to be successful in college communication and is foundational for workplace communications.
- ELTP1000 Industrial Control Electronics
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Students develop an understanding of semiconductor devices such as diodes, transistors, SCRs, TRIACs and their application. Other electronic devices used in power supplies, amplifiers motor control and other industrial control equipment are also included.
Prerequisite: ELTP 1001
- ELTP1012 Industrial Distribution Systems
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This course introduces students to industrial distribution systems, from the service entrance to the end equipment being supplied. It includes such items as service entrance equipment, metering, safety switches, wireways and busways, panelboards, switchboards, circuit breakers and fuses.
Prerequisite: ELTP 1010, ELTP 1001
- ELTP1006 Programmable Logic Controller Fundamentals
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This course provides an overview of the programmable logic controller, PLC installation and I/O wiring procedures, general PLC programming procedures, basic PLC programming, memory basics, number systems and PLC timers, counters, arithmetic functions, number comparison function and data move functions.
Prerequisite: ELTP 1001, ELTP 1005
- ELTP1011 The Electrical Safety Code in Ontario
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This course is entirely focused on the Ontario Electrical Safety Code as covered in the Ontario Electrical Safety Code book. Students learn through exercises with limited time spent on lectures. The objective is for students to demonstrate the ability to use the Ontario Electrical Safety Code book to determine proper equipment, installation and maintenance requirements for electrical equipment.
Prerequisite: ELTP 1010
- GNED General Education Elective
- General Education Courses
- Second Year - Semester Three
- Second Year - Semester Four
- ELTP2006 Advanced Motor Control
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This course is intended to further acquaint the student with the aspects of motor control using relay logic and to introduce him or her to the fundamentals of Adjustable Speed Drives, the type used in industry today. Students explore the construction, operating characteristics and connections of the alternating current type motors used in the hands-on lab experiments in the course. Upon completion of this course, the student will be better prepared to complete wiring tasks of electric motors and associated control circuit wiring using relay logic.
Prerequisite: ELTP 1005
- ELTP2007 Control Systems & Interfacing
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Human-Machine Interfacing (HMI) technology is explored and applied in a lab setting. Students use PC based software to develop operator screens that along with programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are the brains behind todays production machinery and processes.
Prerequisite: ELTP 1005, ELTP 2001, ELTP 2016, ELTP 2000
- ELTP2011 Industrial Communication Networks
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Exploration of industrial communication methods used to interconnect automation equipment to share data and control. A variety of communication protocols will be discussed and applied to interface automation equipment. Remote I/O, HMI, PLC and VFD systems will be used as lab examples of the application of this technology.
Prerequisite: ELTP 2001, ELTP 2016
- ELTP2008 Industrial Production Systems & Drawings
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This course is intended to acquaint students with the functions of production management as it applies to maintenance. Topics covered include: the TPM system (Totally Productive Maintenance) and the basics of project management as it relates to electrical. It will cover estimating both time and materials.
Prerequisite: ELTP 1011
- ELTP2005 Instrumentation & Digital Control Systems
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This course builds on knowledge from the previous semester. Students demonstrate how to interface Analog control into the Automation system as a whole.
Prerequisite: ELTP 2001, ELTP 2016
- ELTP2004 Motion Control
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This course provides an overview of motion control concepts. Students will be able to demonstrate the functionality and applications and programming of a variety of Variable Frequency Drives and how they are interfaced to the control system using automation networks. Students will demonstrate knowledge with Servo Systems and the functionality and application of DC motors and AC motors.
Prerequisite: ELTP 2001, ELTP 2016
- GNED General Education Elective
- General Education Courses
*Courses subject to change.
What’s next?
- Graduate into the workforce – many electrical automation careers do not require an apprenticeship
- Earn a double diploma in another College program, in as little as two semesters
- Electrical grads can enter Mechatronics with advanced standing and can receive a second diploma in only one more year
- Fast track into an apprenticeship
- The skills and experiences you gain in Loyalist's two-year Electrical Engineering Technician – Industrial diploma program can help you jump-start your apprenticeship journey! Learn how.
- Information about qualification requirements leading to certification is available on the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development website. You can also contact an Employment Ontario apprenticeship office near you.
Turn your diploma into a degree
Many universities across Canada and abroad will provide credit recognition for your diploma studies at Loyalist College. The following is a list of agreements that are currently in place. There are many more options, and new agreements are added annually. Contact your university of choice to make individual arrangements.
Two-year diploma
- Algoma University — B.A.; B.B.A.; B.Sc.; Bach. Computer Science
- Brock University — various*
- Davenport University – B.A. General Business (option 1)
- Institutes of Technology Ireland
- Lakehead University — various*
- Laurentian University — various*
- Nipissing University — various*
- Seneca College — Bach. Interdisciplinary Studies
- Ontario Tech University — B.A. Adult Education and Digital Technology
- University of Waterloo — various*
- Wilfrid Laurier University — various*
- York University — various*
*Various potential degree pathways. Please confirm details with the receiving institution.
Autodesk certification
Students are eligible to challenge the Autodesk certification exams at Loyalist College. Completing these industry-recognized credentials enables students to highlight that they have the in-demand skills employers are seeking.
How much will it cost?
Approximate costs (2023 – 24)
- Domestic Tuition: $2,722.08
- Full-Time Ancillary Fees:* $1,308
- Total: $4,030.08
- Additional Program Costs: $600 (year one)
Additional costs, such as supplies, travel and parking, maybe incurred during workplace visits, etc.
*Fees related to programs that are less than or greater than two semesters will be adjusted accordingly. Fees are subject to change. Please visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a list of the many services, activities, and items included within the ancillary fees, and the related policies.
Bursaries and financial assistance
Loyalist College has a number of scholarships, bursaries, and academic awards available to students. Our Financial Aid Office can help you explore your options, or assist you with a student loan.
Students enrolling in this program may be eligible for the Schulich Builders scholarship program.
Schulich Builders covers tuition, tools and living expenses for students enrolling in a skilled trades program. Loyalist College will award ten scholarships per year:
- Five $20,000 scholarships for one-year certificate programs, and
- Five $40,000 scholarships for two-year diploma programs.
Admission requirements
Required academic preparation
- OSSD/OSSGD or equivalent with courses at the general, advanced, (C), (U) or (M) level, AND
- Grade 12 English (C) level or equivalent, AND
- Grade 11 Math
OR
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Applicants with work experiences or other types of non-credentialed learning may be eligible for credits at Loyalist. Graded credits (as opposed to exemptions) are granted. Click here for more information about our assessment and credit challenge process.
International students
Click here for information about how to apply, international student fees and more.
Campus News
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Belleville, Ontario, January 9, 2014 – Loyalist College is pleased to introduce the new College Technology and Trade Preparation one-year Ontario College Certificate program beginning February 1.
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Loyalist College Appoints Ann Drennan As Dean Of Applied Sciences, Ski...
Belleville, Ontario, July 11, 2013 - Loyalist College is pleased to announce Ann Drennan as the new Dean of the School of Applied Sciences, Skills and Technology effective August 26, 2013.
Ann bring... Read More
Skilled Trades and Technology Subject Experts Available For Media Inte...
Belleville, Ontario, February 28, 2013 – Loyalist College is pleased to provide a list of College professors who can comment on key topics related to skilled trades and technology. Each one of these... Read More
Loyalist College Congratulates Deloro Stellite and Wells Ford
The Eastern Region 2011 Minister’s Awards for Apprenticeship Training were presented on Friday, June 17th at a luncheon in Napanee. Loyalist College congratulates award recipients Deloro Stellite In... Read More
In the News
February 20, 2015
Belleville Intelligencer
The Ontario Technologist
