Food Processing Technician (Optional Co-op)

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Program description - January 2026

If you are a hands-on, technically-minded individual looking for a fast-paced work environment, the field of food and beverage manufacturing and the Food Processing Technician Program is well-suited to you.

This 2–year accelerated Ontario College Diploma program is delivered over 4 consecutive terms of study and includes courses on industrial maintenance, drawings and schematics, machine technology, pumps, valves, motor controls and PLCs, as well as an introduction to food science, food processing methods, food safety, and an overview of the principles of food manufacturing.

At the Institute of Food Processing Technology’s (IFPT) one-of-a-kind, semi-industrial lab facility - the only facility of its kind in Canada - located on the Cambridge campus of Conestoga College, you will get intensive hands-on experience with industrial food processing equipment to support your learning and development.

Additionally, eligible students can apply for an optional co-operative education experience for their third term of study to gain valuable real-world experience.

Graduates will be well-prepared for industry positions in food and beverage manufacturing and ready to support the operation, maintenance, and sanitation of equipment to ensure the production of high-quality and safe food products.

The optional co-op stream includes one co-op work term instead of the Guided Career Management course.

Program details

Code: 0730G
Start: January 2026
Campus: Cambridge – Fountain Street
Delivery: Hybrid
Length: 16 months
Credential: Ontario College Diploma

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Tuition & fees


​Tuition and fee details for the 2024-2025 academic year (September to August) are listed below. Books and supplies may be additional. Tuition and fee details for terms starting September 2025 and later will be available Spring 2025.


Please note: Tuition and fee details for terms starting September 2025 and later will be available Spring 2025.

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Program device requirements

Program device & software requirements

This program requires you to have a device that meets certain specifications. For most students, this cost is in addition to the tuition & fees listed above.

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Financial assistance

The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a needs-based program designed to help Ontario students cover the cost of post-secondary education. Funded by the federal and provincial governments, OSAP is intended to promote equality of opportunity for post-secondary studies through direct financial assistance for educational costs and living expenses. These interest-free loans are intended to supplement your financial resources and those of your family. The majority of students apply for loan assistance via the OSAP website. Students can also print the application booklet through the OSAP website. For more information, please visit OSAP & aid.

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Co-op information

  • Co-op programs add value to your education. Earn money while you apply what you've learned in a real workplace environment. Visit Co-operative education for more information.
  • The College cannot guarantee co-op employment. All co-op students are required to conduct an independent co-op job search in addition to the supports and services provided by the Department of Co-op Education.
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation and associated costs in order to complete work term requirements. Work locations may not always be readily accessible by public transportation.
  • In order for a student to participate in a WIL experience/Co-op work term, students must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
  • Students who are not eligible for co-op or do not secure a co-op work term by the start of the work term semester will be offered the option to enrol in the 15 credit Career Management in Canada GCM2010 co-op alternative. This co-op alternative involves guided activities involving approximately 2 hours of coaching and advising time per week and additional project work.
  • If GCM2010 is selected, students cannot transfer back into the co-op stream.
  • GCM2010 is delivered online with virtual group coaching/advising session of 2 hours per week.

Applying to the co-op stream

  • All applicants apply to the non co-op program. Students will be informed of the application deadline and process to apply for the Co-op Stream. Labour market conditions determine the number of co-op seats in optional co-op programs. Not every student who meets academic eligibility requirements will be admitted to the co-op stream.
  • To be considered for admission to the co-op stream, students are required to achieve a minimum overall 70% session weighted average in Level 1 with no dropped or failed courses.
  • International students will require work permits to utilize the co-op job board for job search and to accept employment. Students are currently experiencing longer than usual wait times for work permits. Please be advised that there will be no co-op program service fee refunds after the program withdrawal for refund date. Students that have not received their work permit and choose to remain in co-op after the program withdrawal for refund date do so at their own risk and will not be refunded. If you are concerned about receiving your work permit in time to achieve co-op employment, please discuss your situation with your co-op advisor as early as possible.

Delivery sequence - January 2026 - Cambridge – Fountain Street

This delivery sequence is for the co-op option.

FALL WINTER SPRING
  Class Class
Work Term Class