Unsure of your career path? Take a step toward pursuing a career in skilled trades or engineering technology

Do you enjoy hands-on work but don’t know which trade to pursue? Or maybe you’re drawn to the field of engineering technology and want to know more. Explore career options and improve your technical, math, and English skills while you learn the fundamentals of the electrical, mechanical, and carpentry fields. Cambrian’s comprehensive program helps you enhance a wide range of core and technical skills by combining theory with hands-on training in labs and trade shops. 
 
Through practical class projects like framing and roofing a shed, or repairing an engine in a snowmobile, you’ll learn the basics of work safety, measuring instruments, and hand and power tools. A partnership with the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) allows you to take industry certification courses at a reduced rate during the program. 

Program highlights 

  • Gain missing admission requirements and/or explore careers in trades and engineering technology 
  • Develop a wide set of skills and knowledge that will put you on the path to success in trades and tech
  • Option to receive IHSA training and other industry certifications 
  • Opportunity to develop a personalized career path 

Program of study for 2025-26 Academic Year 

Students are required to successfully complete an online Lab Safety course (in Moodle) when starting their program at Cambrian.  This course must be completed prior to entering the labs (as identified in the table below) in the Schools of Skills Training, Engineering Technology and Environmental Studies. 

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Credits
PRT 1000 Applied Technology I 1 4
PRT 1009 Exploring Careers in Trades and Tech 1 4
ENG 1212 Foundations of College English 3
SCI 1007 Science for Trades and Tech 1 3
ELN 1122 Electrical for Trades and Tech 1 3
PRT 1115 Computers for Trades and Tech 3
MTH 1173 Math for Trades and Tech I 3
 Credits23
Semester 2
ENG 1002 College Communications 3
PRT 1001 Applied Technology II 1 4
PRT 1003 Physics for Trades and Tech 1 3
MTH 1273 Math for Trades and Tech II 3
SAI 1000 Safety in the Workplace 1 3
CAD 1100 Computer-Aided Drafting I 2
One General Education course. 2 3
 Credits21
 Total Credits44
1

 Course with Lab Component

2

For more information regarding General Education courses, click here.

Admission requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (30 credits) or equivalent or mature student status.

Program delivery

2025-2026

Fall term start

SEMESTER 1:  Fall 2025
SEMESTER 2:  Winter 2026

Specific program pathways

College or university degree opportunities  

If you are a graduate of this program, you may continue your studies at a college or university and you may receive credit(s) for your prior college education. Refer to Cambrian's college and university agreement details for further information

Employment opportunities

Successful graduates are eligible to apply to a number of programs offered through Cambrian College's School of Skills Training and the Schools of Engineering Technology and Environmental Studies. The Pre-Trades/Technology program is the preferred designated preparatory program for admission to Cambrian College Trades and Technology programs.

Successful completion of the Pre-Trades/Technology program also provides students who have obtained their Ontario Secondary School Diploma, but lack key English and math prerequisites, to be eligible to apply to other Cambrian College programs that have these requirements.

Please note: Cambrian College strives to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website. Please note that the academic curriculum is continually reviewed and revised to ensure that Cambrian's programs and courses remain relevant. The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.