Overview
The Associate Certificate in Fundamentals of Water and Wastewater Operations provides the essential knowledge and skills for entry-level positions in the water and wastewater treatment sector.
The program is designed to meet the educational requirement for an “Operator in Training” and the competencies gained in this program will serve as a foundation for passing the theoretical component for the Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP) Level I certification examinations for all four facility/system types. These include water distribution, water treatment, wastewater collection, and wastewater treatment.
The program is offered as a series of part-time courses. Courses are delivered using a cohort model in a hybrid format primarily in an online format, with some virtual components and work experience placement to water and wastewater facilities. The mix of theoretical and real-world learning opportunities will enable students to apply their learning in meaningful and concrete ways.
The program is designed to be completed by a cohort of up to 24 students over a 12-month period.
The program schedule has been created to allow individuals to remain working while taking the Associate Certificate.
Courses are not currently available to be taken individually. They are delivered sequentially as part of the associate certificate. It may be possible to arrange individual courses as a single company offering. Please contact SOCE Industry Services at 604-456-1012 to inquire.
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Ongoing throughout the year.Recommended for success
This program is specifically designed for individuals either seeking a career in the water or wastewater sector or for those currently employed in the water and wastewater industry, but have not received formal training.
To be successful in this program, students are recommended to have the following:
- English language proficiency: Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent
- Math: one of the following:
- Pre-Calculus 11 (67%) or
- Foundations of Math 11 (67%) or
- Workplace Math 11 (67%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses
- Chemistry 11 (67%)
- High school graduation (or equivalent) is an EOCP requirement for certification.
If you do not meet the above entry recommendations, you can consult with the program administration to discuss your particular situation.
International applicants
This program is not available to international students. View available programs.
Apply to program
Applications for this program are processed by the SOCE Industry Services department. Please contact Andrea Dusanj for more information or to receive a registration package.
Scheduled Intakes
September each year.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
For the September 2024 intake, the cost of the program is estimated to be $ 4,223.11 plus applicable student fees.
Refund policy
The Industry Services cohort-based program withdrawal policy is defined as follows:
- Withdrawal 31 days or more before start date of the first course: 100% refund
- Withdrawal within 30 days prior or prior to second class (module 2) (7 days after the start date of the first course): 85% refund
- Withdrawal after 7 days (one week) of the start date of first course: no refund
Courses
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
| Required courses: | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| WATR 1010 | Water Treatment Systems Operation | 3.0 | |
| WATR 1020 | Wastewater Treatment Systems Operation | 3.0 | |
| WATR 1030 | Water Distribution and Mechanical Systems | 3.0 | |
| WATR 1040 | Wastewater Collection and Mechanical Systems | 3.0 | |
| WATR 1050 | Communications, Legislation and Safety | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits: | 15.0 | ||
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
Program Details
Program length
The Associate Certificate in Fundamentals of Water and Wastewater Operations is a one-year, part-time program.
Students proceed through this program as a cohort. Each cohort will complete one course at a time and will be provided with their course schedule at the time of registration.
Grading
The passing grade for each course is 60%.
Accreditation
BCIT’s Associate Certificate in Fundamentals of Water and Wastewater Operations is designed to meet the educational requirement for an “Operator In Training” (following completion of 2 of 5 of the courses, or 9.0 CEU’s) and completion of the full program (22.5 CEU’s) helps prepare graduates to write the “Operator Level 1” Exam through the Environmental Operators Certification Program (EOCP) .
Please be advised that there are other requirements to becoming an Operator Level 1 including one year experience at a Class 1 facility. The entry level positions you may opt to apply for during this program would count towards those Level 1 EOCP hour requirements, but will not necessarily have you undertaking operator work. For more information about EOCP certification, please visit https://eocp.ca/ .
Program delivery
Online: This program is delivered fully online.
Program location
Courses are offered through online learning.Co-operative education
In addition to the five online courses in the program, students will have the opportunity to apply for cooperative education opportunities and seasonal and temporary work opportunities.
The flexibility of this flexible learning (part-time studies) program will allow students to undertake an employment experience while taking courses. Employment experience will be woven into the program through an assignment, which is introduced during WATR 1030 (course 3 of 5) and completed by the last course in the program, WATR 1050 . Students not able to participate in an employment experience would undertake an alternate activity that is research-based.
Graduating & Jobs
The Associate Certificate credential provides a solid knowledge base and a set of skills required for entry-level positions in the water and wastewater treatment sector. The amount of course work is also sufficient to meet the theoretical component for the EOCP Level I certification examinations for all four facility/system types.
Operators are hired by municipalities or private industries which own or are contracted to manage these facilities. Operators typically join as an operator-in-training, and progress in their careers by obtaining Operator Level I to Level IV EOCP certification.
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2021-2023 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2020-2022 graduates and for Degree 2019-2021 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Apply for graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.
All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.
Professional associations
Contact Us
Devon Franklin
Manager of Corporate Training and Industry Services
Tel: 604-456-1012
Email: devon_franklin@bcit.ca
Andrea Dusanj
Administrative Assistant
Tel: 604-432-8885
Email: andrea_dusanj@bcit.ca
Questions or comments?
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