​​Program Description​

This 2-year (16-month) program runs four consecutive semesters, providing training for those interested in a career as a food processing technician in the food and beverage manufacturing industry. It 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. All theoretical training is supported by hands-on experience in mechanical shops, food processing experience at a semi-industrial (pilot plant) level, and co-op work term (if eligible) in the industry.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program learning outcomes can be found on the Food Processing Technician (Co-op) program page on the college's website.​

Program Curriculum Sequence

The following is the anticipated sequence of the program for students beginning studies in the Fall semester.  Occasionally, minor program design changes do occur and students are notified of these changes by the Program Coordinator before they are implemented.

September Intake

January Intake

Note 1: Co-op employment is not guaranteed by Conestoga College.

Note 2: Students who successfully complete the required three levels in-school but are unsuccessful in completing the co-op requirements, may graduate from the Food Processing Technician certificate program without the co-op endorsement. Refer to Co-operative Education for more information.

Current Program Design

Students can find their program design on the Student Portal by following the steps below:

1. Log in to the Student Portal
   
2. Click on 'My Courses tab
   
3. Select 'View Progress Report' button

Courses are listed by the level/semester. Students can also view courses for the most current program design for this academic year on the Conestoga College website. To find these courses, students need to scroll down the page to the 'Program Courses'.

Co-operative Education

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 during level 1. 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 70% session weighted average with no dropped or failed courses in Level 1.
  

To participate in a co-op work term, students must:

• Successfully complete the Co-op and Career Preparation modules (CEPR1020).  Students who fail Co-op and Career Preparation will not be permitted to search for co-op employment nor will they be able to participate in a co-op work term.  Students who fail Co-op and Career Preparation more than twice will not be permitted to continue in the co-op program.
• Be enrolled full-time (full-time = 70% of the hours, or 66 2/3 % of the courses in the current session/level of the Program Design.)  Exceptions will apply to those students who have been granted special timetabling based on formal identification of barriers or challenges for which accommodation is required. Academic eligibility requirements must still be met prior to being granted access to seek a co-op work term.
• Must have successfully completed all but two core courses, according to the program design, by the eligibility term prior to any given work term (regardless of the level the student was placed in advanced standing).
• Students (even those on special timetables) will not be permitted to complete a co-op work term until conditions above are met and all but two core course deficiencies, according to the program design, are cleared.
• Co-op work terms may need to be re-sequenced to allow academic deficiencies to be cleared or in the event that a student changes cohorts (i.e. graduation is delayed by one year or more). Students may not repeat a passed work term.
  
• Should a student's academic performance decline considerably (including cumulative missed courses) during the term just prior to any work term, the college reserves the right to withdraw the student from the upcoming work term.
• Meet program-specific co-op work term eligibility requirements.
• Academic eligibility for a co-op work term is based on the term that occurs two terms prior to any work term. 
  
• Should a student's academic performance decline considerably (including cumulative missed courses) during the term just prior to any work term, the college reserves the right to withdraw the student from the upcoming work term.
  
• Students may only defer one work term regardless of the reason(s) (e.g. failed or missed work term).
  
• Students who do not successfully complete their deferred work term will be removed from the co-op stream.
• Since only one work term may be failed/deferred regardless of the reason(s), should a subsequent work term be missed/failed/unsecured (not successfully completed for any reason) the student will be immediately removed from the co-op stream.
• Students who are discontinued are not eligible for co-op work terms.
  

For additional information please refer to the Co-operative Education Regulations and Guidelines: Student Regulations, Procedures and Supports found by:

1. Login to MyCareer
2. Select Co-op
3. Select Co-op Resources
4. Select Co-op Policies
5. Select Co-operative Education Regulations, Procedures and Supports for Students

Please Note:

• 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.
  
• 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 the first work term by the start of the work term semester will be offered the option to enroll 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.
  

​Academic Standing and Promotion Requirements – Program Standard​

It is the student's responsibility to ensure that they have fulfilled the program design requirements necessary to graduate. If for any reason a student is concerned about their academic progress, they should arrange to meet with the corresponding faculty member or with the program coordinator.  Failure or withdrawal from any course(s) may result in the student not being promoted to the next academic level.

If a student withdraws from the program for any reason, they have a maximum of five years from their original start date in order to complete the program requirements and earn the related and current certificate or diploma. If the program design changes significantly during this timeframe there may be the necessity to fulfill additional program requirements.

Common Academic Decisions

At the end of each level/semester, the program team will review the grades of the student.  Below are the most common academic decisions issued by the program team:

Eligible to Continue

Students that pass all courses, and complete their electives, are eligible to continue in the program.

Decisions (Pending)

Supplemental Assessment: Students who have failed no more than two courses in the semester, may request a supplemental assessment (a "make-up") for one of the failed courses. It is the student's responsibility to check the grade postings. It is not the responsibility of the professor to seek out the student and offer a supplemental. Supplemental Assessments may be approved by faculty, or the program team, if the student meets the following academic criteria in accordance with the Clearance of Academic Deficiency Policy and Procedure:

1. A final course grade within 10% of the passing mark of the course and no lower than 50% (e.g., If the passing grade is 55%, a final grade between 50-54% would be eligible. If the passing grade is 60%, a final grade between 50%-59% would be eligible.)
   
2. Attended 80% or more of the classes and labs of the course in question.
3. No more than one Supplemental Assessment per semester. 
   
4. Must have passed at least one formal evaluation in the course.
   
5. Not have a registered academic offence during the course.

Failure in the Supplemental exam will result in no change to the original course grade.  Successful completion of the Supplemental Assessment will result in the minimum passing grade being awarded.  The final grade as a result of the Supplemental will be automatic and is ineligible for appeal. The full details are outlined within the Clearance of Academic Deficiency Policy and Procedure.

Discontinuance, Withdrawals and Probation

If a student fails an elective course they must make up the credits prior to the completion of the program. If the failed course occurs in the final semester of the program, the student has five years from their start date in the program to earn the missing credits.

If a student fails a core course, i.e. non-elective, they may be discontinued in the program. Students may also be discontinued from a program based on misconduct, or in some sponsored programs, for lack of attendance.

Students who wish to terminate their studies must officially withdraw from their program in writing by completing the Withdrawal Form.  Students who do not officially withdraw are still liable for outstanding fees and may not be eligible for a refund.  Non-attendance does not constitute official withdrawal and academic records may reflect failures.

Discontinuance:  Registered but Did Not Attend (DNA)

A missed course, DNA, will be considered as a course failure (mark of "F") for purposes of discontinuance.  Refer to Academic Dates for the refund deadline.

Academic Decision Program Standards

"F" = Failed; "DNA" = Did Not Attend (Missed); "W" – Withdrawn (Dropped);

"ISE" – Interdisciplinary Studies Electives (General Elective)

Students participating in academic offences are subject to Conestoga's Academic Offences Policy and Procedures listed here on the website.

Note #1

1. Courses dropped after the refund deadline "W", and missed courses "DNA", will be considered as a Failure for purposes of discontinuance.  Refer to the student guide for the refund deadline.       
   

Note #2  The "SPECIAL TIMETABLE POLICY" for this program is as follows:

1. With respect to scheduling courses, priority must be given to courses failed or missed in the previous semesters. 
2. Provided there are NO timetabling conflicts, new courses may then be taken, if prerequisites have been attained.
3. A maximum of 9 courses, including any Interdisciplinary Studies Electives (General Electives) may be taken in a semester.
   

Note #3  "DISCONTINUED" Students should note the following:

1. The student may apply to return to the College as a "Part Time" student.
2. The student may be allowed to take a maximum of 3 courses in this Program per semester, including any "Interdisciplinary Studies Elective" courses.
3. Priority for seats in a class is given first to "Regular" students, then to "Special Timetable Students" and lastly to "Part-Time Students".
4. To graduate from this program, you must request and be granted re-admission to this Program.
5. All failed courses must be cleared before re-admission to this Program will be allowed.
6. Re-admission to this program will be allowed only for the start of the Fall Semester of the following year. Once discontinued, a student has to be away from the Full-Time stream for a year. The student can take Part-Time courses during this time. 

1. The program faculty reserve the right to modify the implementation of the above policy, in individual cases, due to extenuating circumstances.

Mandatory Training - Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

WHMIS training is mandatory for all students.  During their studies and or field placements, students will be required to work with or in proximity to WHMIS-controlled products at the college.  Conestoga College maintains a database of Material Safety Data Sheets located online.

Good Manufacturing Practices - Program Standard

Students are required to demonstrate the same adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) as would be required by the business or industry in which they expect to be employed.  Therefore, students need to be aware of the following personal expectations in regard to dress and hygiene in order to participate in the Pilot Plant (Manufacturing Lab) portion of this program:

• Jewelry - No jewelry of any kind is permitted in the Pilot Plant.  This includes, but is not limited to rings, earrings, necklaces, watches, facial piercings, anklets, bracelets, bangles etc., regardless of the material of construction (metal, thread, rubber, plastic etc.).  Students should seek out the help of a professional for removal of jewelry that is challenging to remove due to swelling/growth or requires a tool for removal. Piercings that are new will need to be removed.
• Long hair must be tied back/secured.  Hairnets and beard nets (as required, more than 1 day of growth) must be worn.
  
• No nail polish, paint, lacquer or false nails.
  
• No excessive makeup.
  
• No perfume or cologne.
  
• Full-length pants (no shorts, capris) are required.  All clothing must be in good repair (no rips, frays) and in clean condition.
• No loose coats or clothing items, no hoodies
  
• Lab Coat – A white lab coat, metal snaps ONLY (no buttons), no pockets, must be worn in the Pilot Plant.  The lab coat can be obtained from the Conestoga Bookstore for a nominal fee. 

Please note: Participation in the Pilot Lab sessions occurs throughout the delivery of the program.  Students will need to be prepared to meet these requirements on a daily basis.  Failure to meet GMP requirements may result in denied access to the labs and missed learning opportunities for the student.  Any missed learning is the student's responsibility.

Physical Protection / Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)​

For classes with a shop component, the following are the minimum PPE requirements:

1. CSA-approved (Omega Symbol recommended) steel toe work boots or shoes
   
2. CSA-approved clear-lensed safety glasses (no tint)
   

Students are required to comply with all additional safety and access requirements, protocols and rules that are communicated by faculty or, staff and campus signage for the protection of persons and property.  Faculty and staff will monitor the student's compliance with college and class-specific safety requirements and may restrict access to the shops if safety policy and requirements are not followed.

Use of Electronic Devices in Classrooms and Labs