Courses may include
These are some of the courses offered in this program. It is not a complete list and courses are subject to change in advance of the academic year.
Recognizing prior learning / transfer credits
If you have previous learning (course, employment, etc...) that's relevant to your program, you may be able to apply to earn credit. Not all programs are eligible. Learn about our recognizing prior learning (RPL) process.
GTEC 1000 - Gas Industry Safety and Codes
Since the gas industry is well-regulated, a gas technician needs to be aware of the various codes, approval agencies and standards with which each gas installation must comply. This knowledge and compliance will ensure proper installation, as well as the safe and efficient operation of all gas-fired equipment.
Safety on the job is one of the most important factors to consider when doing any task, whether climbing a ladder or installing an appliance. This course covers safety from various perspectives: personal safety rules and protective gear, government acts and regulations, information on the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System and fire safety practices.
Gas technicians are frequently in contact with customers. Course material addresses good customer service practices and behaviors that will project professionalism to their work and dealings with customers in various situations.
GTEC 1001 - Fuel Gas Characteristics and Handling
This course will cover the physical and chemical properties and characteristics of natural gas and propane as well as their combustion process. In addition, the investigation, detection and remediation of gas leaks and other hazardous substances will be covered.
GTEC 1002 - Gas Pipe Fitting Practices l
There are various types of piping and tubing systems used for gas. A thorough knowledge of these systems, as well as the associated valves and fittings, is necessary in order to properly plan for and install piping or tubing systems. Correctly sizing the piping and tubing system depends on many factors: the length of the pipe, the supply pressure, any changes in direction of the pipe, etc. Installation requirements also depend on the location or whether the piping or tubing system is installed underground, above ground on a rooftop, etc. Whenever installing piping and tubing systems, they must be tested and inspected to ensure they meet the code requirements.
This course will cover the supply chain of gas supply, transmission, distribution and delivery piping systems from the well head to the end user. The major emphasis will be placed on the delivery piping for both propane and natural gas downstream of the meter or storage container to the gas appliance.
GTEC 1003 - Tools, Fasteners and Instruments
Safe installation of gas piping requires a variety of fasteners, supports, devices and tools to complete the job. Each installation has its own requirements, and the technician must choose among a huge selection. In this course, the learner will be given an overview of the more common types of fasteners and supports used in the gas industry. Material covers a variety of tools and instruments used in the trade along with their use and care.
GTEC 1004 - Electrical l
The safe installation of gas appliances and systems requires a gas technician to have knowledge of basic electrical theory and practical trade-related applications. This course is designed to introduce basic electrical theory and concepts. Learners will have the opportunity to wire and test circuits in a shop setting. Applicable electrical codes for the Gas Technician trade will be covered and safe work practices will be s introduced and applied throughout.
GTEC 1005 - Gas Appliances I
Installing and reactivating gas appliances requires a thorough knowledge of venting systems, types of burners, ignition systems, controls and safeties and the characteristics of individual vented and non-vented appliances. This course covers the details necessary for a gas technician to safely and efficiently install appliances. It also presents the requirements for converting appliances between propane and natural gas.
GTEC 1006 - Technical Manuals and Drawings
Before undertaking a gas or propane installation, the gas technician must make decisions on a host of issues. Accessing accurate, current and relevant information for servicing or installing is, therefore, an extremely important part of a gas technician's job. From a manufacturers’ maintenance bulletin to mechanical drawings of large gas systems, the gas technician must be able to locate, read and interpret a variety of written documentation.
In this course, learners will use reference manuals, interpret technical manuals and manufacturers’ specifications, draw basic piping drawings using the different drawing views, and interpret graphs and charts as they pertain to the natural gas and propane industry.
GTEC 1010 - Forced Air and Central Heating
A common appliance that a gas technician may be required to install and maintain is a forced-air furnace. Doing this requires an understanding of the operation of the basic components and add-on devices of a furnace, as well as how they fit together into a complete system. This course will enable the learner to select the correct forced-air furnace for an application and describe the installation process. Students will service, adjust, and diagnose mechanical faults in forced air systems. Course material covers the operation of electrical circuits within a forced-air furnace and common forced air add-on devices and their function.
GTEC 1011 - Gas Appliances ll
A thorough understanding of domestic, space-heating and decorative appliance installation, servicing and maintenance are important parts of a gas technician's training. To ensure satisfied users, it is important to match the appliance application and capacity to the user's needs and expectations. This requires a good knowledge of the various appliances and how well each works in a given situation.
This course will cover the installation, service and maintenance of household, space-heating and decorative appliances as well as gas-fired refrigerators.
GTEC 1012 - Hydronic and Domestic Hot Water
This course will cover the installation of gas-fired water heaters, boilers and boiler distribution and control systems. In addition, gas-fired and hot water heating and combination systems will also be covered. Learners will determine the guidelines for converting a boiler, select and identify circulators and components and describe gas-fired pool heating systems.
GTEC 1013 - Building as a System
Technological advances in the construction industry that make buildings more energy-efficient, comfortable and cost-effective have carried with them the need for tradespeople to understand the building as a whole system. Every piece of work done on the building has an impact on other parts of the building's construction. As a gas technician, it is important that you understand the principles of heat, moisture, air flow and demands for air and how they interact with present-day construction requirements and standards. Air movement increases or decreases the rate of heat gain and loss from human bodies and the buildings in which they live and work. The principles governing building heating, cooling and ventilation are directly related to the comfort levels and health of building occupants. Air handling is described in relation to such premises.
In this course, learners will cover the components of a building and their effect on mechanical systems, building science elements and energy conservation methods. Sources of pollution, their effect on indoor air quality and methods of ventilation and filtration systems, and the principles of heat loss and gain will also be covered.
GTEC 1016 - Work Experience
The work experience component provides the learner with an opportunity to apply skills and concepts appropriate for entry level positions within the occupation. Learners will assess their own performance and be evaluated by an industry partner. Learners will identify personal outcomes they wish to attain during the work experience and will keep a journal.
GTEC 1017 - Introduction to Regulators, Meters and Fuel
In this course, learners will review the criteria for installing the correct gas pressure regulators for a system. They will also read and clock low-pressure meters and identify and plan for the correct use of propane cylinders and tanks.
GTEC 1018 - Introduction to Vent Systems
A gas technician needs to effectively vent appliances at a rate which ensures their proper operation to maintain indoor air quality and the safety of a building’s occupants. The vent system needs to be of a material and size to operate the appliance safely in terms of fire, to keep the weather out of the building, and to completely vent the flue gases to the outdoors without spillage into the building. This course will cover the code requirements and their application to venting systems, their location, sizing and termination. It will also cover how to locate and size air supplies for equipment.
INDR 1010 - Industry Readiness
A crucial component of trade practice is the ability to share information. Explaining work, applying trade skills and meeting industry standards involves communicating effectively. This course introduces these skills with a trade focus and will help prepare students to contribute to employment and in the classroom. Course work may tie directly to projects and assignments happening elsewhere in the program and in its shops.
INDR 1020 - Working Effectively in the Trades
Almost all trades professionals will need to work well with others. Students in this course will learn to be effective team members and adapt and analyze how they share information with others. A selection of activities relevant to the particular trade will be used to practice collecting, analyzing and using trade information. Course work may tie directly to projects and assignments happening elsewhere in the program and in its shops.
SAFE 1000 - Introduction to WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)
This course offers learners basic overview of WHMIS principles and establishes a solid foundation to support workplace-specific training on the safe storage and handling of controlled/hazardous products. Upon successful completion of the course, students receive basic WHMIS certification.
SAFE 1001 - Introduction to NS OH&S Act
This course offers students an introduction to the Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Act of Nova Scotia, which is required by any person employed in a Nova Scotia workplace. This is a generic, introductory course that provides basic knowledge of the Act for students and is considered to be the basis from which more specific training can be given.
SAFE 1020 - Safety Basics – Restricted Spaces
The learner is introduced to the basic requirements and procedures involved with working in restricted spaces. The definition and potential hazards of restricted spaces are discussed The course material is infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.
SAFE 1021 - Safety Basics – Hazard Identification
The learners are introduced to the types of hazards encountered in workplaces and the approach that should be followed when recommending and implementing appropriate controls. Two key elements of Hazard Identification are addressed: Hazard Assessment and Inspection. The Nova Scotia Occupational Health and Safety Act is discussed. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.
SAFE 1022 - Safety Basics – Working at Heights
The student is introduced to hazards and responsibilities concerned with working at heights in the workplace. Guardrails, travel restraints, roof work, fall arrest components will be discussed. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.
SAFE 1024 - Safety Basics – Respiratory Protection
This course introduces students to the potential of atmospheric hazards in the workplace and the available personal protection and control methods to maintain a safe work environment. Discussion topics include identification and testing for atmospheric hazards and workplace respiratory programs. The course material is to be infused throughout the curriculum and may be delivered in the classroom, shop or other opportunity as designed and developed by the instructor.
SAFE 1025 - Certified Fall Arrest and Protection
This course provides participants with an understanding of the hazards associated with working from heights and compliance with Workplace Health and Safety Regulations (2013). Throughout the course, participants will gain experience in the donning of a harness, an overview and presentation of system components involved when working from heights and learn how to complete a fall calculation and emergency procedures.
WORK 1100 - Workplace Mentoring I
This unit of instruction is designed to assist learners in managing their learning as an apprentice in the workplace. Learners will study their own experiences with learning new skills and identify their own learning preferences as an aid to developing learning strategies.
