This Ontario College Graduate Certificate teaches you to design, program, and maintain the intelligent machines that drive modern industry. You will work with programmable logic controllers, industrial sensors, machine vision systems, and supervisory control and data acquisition platforms in hands-on labs at our Benchlands Campus.
Career outcomes
- Robotics Technician
- Controls Programmer
- Automation Specialist
- Systems Integrator
- Field Service Engineer
- Technical Sales Representative
Admission requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years of age or older by the start of classes).
- Grade 12 Mathematics (C or U) with a minimum grade of 60 per cent.
- Grade 12 English (C or U) with a minimum grade of 60 per cent. International applicants must provide proof of English proficiency through an accepted test or equivalent qualification.
Tuition
Domestic tuition for this graduate certificate is $4,680 per year for the 2026–27 academic year.
Courses
- ELEC 5260 Robotics Kinematics
- ELEC 5670 Sensors and Actuators
- ELEC 5840 Machine Vision Systems
- ELEC 5900 Autonomous Navigation
- ELNX 5260 PLC Programming
- ELNX 5300 Robotics Kinematics
- ELNX 5440 Machine Vision Systems
- ELNX 5740 Industrial Communication Protocols
- ELNX 5870 SCADA Systems Design
- ELNX 5970 Autonomous Mobile Robots
What you will learn
Automation and robotics are transforming how factories, warehouses, and infrastructure operate. This program teaches you to design, program, and maintain the intelligent machines that drive modern industry. You will work with programmable logic controllers, industrial sensors, machine vision systems, and supervisory control and data acquisition platforms. The curriculum combines classroom theory with hands-on labs where you build and test automated work cells. You will also explore autonomous mobile robots and the communication protocols that keep production lines running smoothly. Throughout the year, you will develop troubleshooting skills, learn safety standards for industrial environments, and practice reading technical schematics. The program emphasizes practical problem-solving, so you will spend significant time in the lab configuring logic sequences, calibrating sensors, and debugging communication networks.
How the program runs
Automation & Robotics is a full-time Ontario College Graduate Certificate delivered over one academic year, typically spanning two or three terms. Classes and lab sessions take place at our Benchlands Campus, where you will use equipment in the Escarpment Building. The schedule is designed for students who want to move quickly into the workforce. The program does not include a co-op work term, but you will complete a final capstone project that mirrors a real industry deployment. You will work in small lab groups, collaborating with peers to simulate production environments. Instructors bring current industry experience to the classroom, and you will have access to the same types of controllers and software used by employers today. The program runs on a September intake, so you will begin your studies at the start of the Fall term.
Admission
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years of age or older by the start of classes).
- Grade 12 Mathematics (C or U) with a minimum grade of 60 per cent.
- Grade 12 English (C or U) with a minimum grade of 60 per cent. International applicants must provide proof of English proficiency through an accepted test or equivalent qualification.
Tuition and fees
Domestic tuition for this graduate certificate is $4,680 per year for the 2026–27 academic year. This amount covers instruction and standard lab access. You will also pay annual ancillary fees, which fund student services, athletics, and campus facilities. For a full breakdown of tuition and mandatory fees, visit Tuition & Fees.
After you graduate
Graduates of Automation & Robotics are prepared for technical roles in manufacturing, systems integration, and industrial automation. Employers look for graduates who understand both the mechanical and digital sides of automated systems. Typical job titles include robotics technician, controls programmer, automation specialist, systems integrator, field service engineer, and technical sales representative. The program also gives you a strong foundation if you plan to continue your studies in an applied degree.
How to apply
Domestic full-time applicants submit their applications through the provincial college application service. International applicants use the polytechnic's own application form. Part-time applicants and Continuing Education students register directly with the college. To review the complete admissions process, check our How to apply page or contact the Admissions office at 519-555-0171. Applications for the September intake are reviewed on a rolling basis, so we recommend submitting yours as early as possible.