Co-op program details

Computer%20Engineering%20Technology%20(Optional%20Co-op)

Program details

Credential: 3-Year Ontario College Advanced Diploma

This three-year program prepares students for a career in electronics as it relates to computer systems. The program provides a solid education in the basics of electronics, as well as, a specialization in computer technology. A core area of fundamentals and mathematics is studied. Additional areas of study are: microprocessor and microcomputer hardware and software, data communications and networking, computer operating systems and languages and computerized industrial processes. State-of-the-art technical courses offered in the third year allow the student to experience the leading edge of technology and enhance their career goals.

Student availability & wage data

Conestoga College facilitates recruitment on an ongoing basis - there are no hard deadlines. Typical time frames for work terms are listed below.

Postings are accepted beginning four months before the start of a term until all students have secured employment provided the minimum 12 consecutive weeks of full-time work is met.

Work/Study Sequence

Year Fall (Sept - Dec) Winter (Jan - Apr) Spring (May - Aug)
Year 1 Classes Classes
Year 2 Classes Classes Work Term 1: $16.55-24
Year 3 Work Term 2: $17-24 Work Term 3: $17-26 Work Term 4: $17-26
Year 4 Classes Classes

Conestoga College collects data on hourly wages of co-operative education students and offers suggested ranges as a service to employers for the purpose of establishing fair and competitive compensation.

Our experience has been that employers increase wages as skills increase, particularly when employing students for more advanced work terms. The Co-operative Education Office can provide assistance to employers in establishing appropriate wage rates.

Work term capabilities

A student's work terms run continuously for sixteen months and it is common to complete all work terms with the same employer. It is expected that due to the longer period of time with the employer, students will be given progressive responsibility and/or exposure to new challenges as their skills develop.

Work terms 1 - 4

  • Interpret and produce schematic diagrams of electronic circuits
  • Provide assistance to engineering teams on fundamental problems, extracting information from manuals, drawings and schematics
  • Produce reports
  • Perform electronic assembly and prototyping
  • Use standard test equipment
  • Program simple embedded processors using assembly language
  • Program embedded processors using C language
  • Test and troubleshoot circuits, equipment and systems
  • Design simple analog and digital circuits
  • Install electronic equipment
  • Perform QA/QC testing
  • Design and simulate QA/QC tests

In addition to the above general skills, the Computer students have specific training in the following:

  • Write, document and test programs using C and C++ languages
  • Write, document and test GUI based programs in Windows and Linux
  • Design, document, construct, program and test embedded systems
  • Design, document, administer and construct computer networks
  • Interface computer hardware with computer and telecommunications systems

Sample job titles

  • Test Technician
  • Software Developer
  • Assistant Technologist
  • QA/QC Technician
  • QA/QC Assistant Technologist
  • Developer - IOT
  • Manufacturing Technician
  • Manufacturing Assistant Technologist
  • Network Technician
  • Network Administrator
  • Network Supervisor

Post a co-op job now

Setup an account or login to Conestoga's MyCareer to post a job.

Contact information

Do you need help developing a recruitment plan or job posting, accessing wage information, or connecting with a talented co-op student? Contact:

Hemant Chauhan
Employer Relations Consultant
hchauhan@conestogac.on.ca