Program Chair​
Sarah Zamin 
A2205 - Cambridge Campus
szamin@conestogac.on.ca

Administrative Assistant to the Chair:
Kaila Lezama
A2205 - Cambridge Campus
519-748-5220 ext. 4555
klezama@conestogac.on.ca

Program Coordinator & Faculty

Program Faculty

Gregory Crowe
Cambridge Campus
gcrowe@conestogac.on.ca

​​​​Program Description

*Students meeting the appropriate requirements (see Co-op Program Standard below) can apply to enroll in the Packaging Engineering Technician (Optional Co-op) Program and complete 420 hours of paid co-op work term in the Spring/Summer (Level 3).​​

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Analyze and solve technical problems in packaging manufacturing through engineering principles
2. Design and evaluate the characteristics, attributes, manufacturing processes, systems and technologies associated with packaging materials and current packaging equipment through the application of engineering principles and practices
3. Develop solutions using appropriate technical packaging software to address packaging problems
4. Apply testing techniques to different packaging materials and systems to verify compliance with specifications, regulations, and industry expectations for the packaging development process
5. Analyze protective packaging systems to minimize hazards encountered in product distribution
6. Recommend material and process improvements through the examination of packaging design and cost structure
7. Use effective communication techniques, through written and oral methods, to convey technical information to diverse audiences
8. Use knowledge of legal requirements, sustainability expectations and ethical practices in the packaging industry to inform the business decision process
9. Consider the environmental impact of packaging products through the full life-cycle of the packaging materials and processes to influence business decisions.
   

Co-operative Education

Applying to the Co-op Stream (Fall intake only): 

• 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 70% session weighted average, and no failed or dropped courses in Level 1.

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

• Successfully complete the Co-op and Career Preparation modules (CEPR/CDEV1020).  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 their 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 the 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 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.​
• In order to participate in a WIL experience/Co-op work term, students must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
  

​Academic Assistance

Academic assistance is available to students through a variety of avenues.  The program coordinator/academic advisor and faculty can advise students on specific program and course information such as adding/dropping courses, special timetabling, etc.  Access the Conestoga website for assistance provided through Student Success Services which includes Accessibility Services and the Learning Commons which offers Learning Skills workshops, Peer Services, Math and Writing assistance.

Awards

Conestoga College has more than 400 awards, bursaries, scholarships and academic grants available to Conestoga students. These funds are made available to our students through the partnerships we have established with local business and industry leaders.  To be considered for an award, complete the General Application available through your Student Portal.  Notifications and instructions to complete the application are sent to all full-time students' email accounts in the fall semester (Deadline: First Friday in October) and winter semester (Deadline: First Friday in February). Visit Student Financial Services on Conestoga's website.

Awards are generally based on academic performance on an aggregate basis (e.g​., highest overall average), single course basis (e.g., best third year project), or particular grouping of courses (e.g., Leica Geoystems Surveying Award).  The monetary value, number, and type of awards will vary from year to year, depending on funding and student performance. ​​

The criteria and monetary value for each award will be determined either by program faculty and/or the donor(s) providing the funding.

​​​​​​Clearance of Academic Deficiency

Decisions (Pending)

Supplemental Assessment: Students who have failed one course may request a supplemental assessment (a "make-up") if they meet eligibility criteria. 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 addition to the criteria in the Clearance of Academic Deficiency Policy and Procedure:

1. The failing grade must be no less than 50%.  If the minimum passing grade for the course is 60% or higher, the minimum failing grade must be no less than 10% below that grade. 
   
2. Attended 80% or more of the classes in 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. No academic offence(s) registered for the course in which the supplemental is being requested. 

Classrooms, Computer Labs and Shop Access

There is no food permitted in any classroom, computer lab or shop.  Beverages are permitted in unbreakable, re-sealable containers.  Please note that in computer labs, beverage containers should be placed away from the keyboard to prevent unnecessary damage.

Access to shops outside of regularly scheduled class times is not permitted without written permission from the instructor and approval by college personnel. For safety reasons access will only be granted for a minimum of two students. No equipment is permitted to be used without the presence and authorization of the instructor.

Lockers

Students can register for a locker using this link:  http://www3.conestogac.on.ca/lockers/

Basic Safety

Students are required to sign a Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (CCITAL) Acknowledgment of Safety Training and Responsibilities Form (if applicable to program), which will be provided by the faculty at the start of the program. 

Any student who is under the influence, or is deemed to be under the influence, of alcohol or drugs will not be allowed entry into the shop. The student will have to meet with the program coordinator and chair to discuss readmission to the shop.

Emergency Procedures

For life-threatening emergencies, from any landline:

DIAL 9 (for outside line), then dial 911.

Notify the Security Office at ext. 3357 whenever emergency response personnel are contacted. The Security Office should also be contacted whenever there is an individual requiring medical attention but is not life-threatening or whenever there is a minor injury and no medical attention is required. Conestoga College (Doon) has a nurse on duty Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. who can be reached at ext. 3254.

There is an Emergency Guide located on Conestoga College's webpage for information on how to respond to emergency situations.

Faculty will discuss the following at the beginning of each semester:

1. Fire Exits - the closest fire exit and any alternates
   
2. Fire Alarms - the location of the nearest pull station
3. First Aid Locations – usually the closest Security Desk/Office
4. Telephones - the nearest telephone to report accidents, illnesses or emergencies
5. First Aiders - identify lab faculty and staff who are trained in first aid

All accidents and injuries must be reported by the student within 24 hours to the program chair or program manager and an Incident Report Form will be completed and submitted to the Occupational Health and Safety Office (safety@conestogac.on.ca).

Machine Operation and Safety

Machine operation and safety requirements will be provided by the faculty responsible for the delivery of each course, as necessary. Students will sign-off after they have received safety training relevant to the machinery in use. Students must not use any equipment for which they have not received training or which they do not feel comfortable using.

A student who does not follow appropriate safety measures and puts themself and/or others at risk may be asked to leave the shop by the faculty, tech or staff. It will be the student's responsibility to make up for the content missed while away from the shop.​

​​Physical Protection / Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)​

For classes with a shop or testing lab 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

Other physical protection requirements in the shop or testing lab component include:

1. Long pants must be worn (shorts or capris are not permitted)
2. No loose coats or clothing items, no hoodies
3. Long hair must be tied back
4. No rings, bracelets, or loose jewelry

Students are required to comply with all additional safety and access requirements, protocols, and rules that are communicated by faculty, 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 access and safety requirements and may restrict access to the shops if safety policy and requirements are not followed. 

Required Equipment, Supplies and Texts​

Faculty members are responsible for distributing a suggested minimum tool list, where applicable. Texts required for each course are included in the pertinent course outline.

Pilot plant labs will require non-slip and green patch safety shoes to be worn at all times and access to labs will be denied in the absence of safety shoes.  Lab coats may also be needed by each student attending labs.  Lab coats should be long sleeve and full length with no pockets above the waist and no buttons, only metal detectable snaps.  Students are required to provide these supplies prior to attending lab.​

Use of Electronic Devices in Classrooms and Labs

Electronic devices may be used in physical classrooms and labs for learning or instructional purposes. Professors or technologists may request devices be put away when a safety issue or distraction occurs. Devices used for accommodations are always welcome. Unauthorized devices in a testing situation will result in an academic offence and a mark of zero.