COURSE CURRICULUM

Conestoga College’s Mechanical Technician – Tool and Die/Tool Maker program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare students for careers in the manufacturing sector, focusing on the skilled trade of tool and die making. Throughout the four levels of study, students develop expertise in precision machining, tool making, and die design, combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills essential for producing high-quality stamping dies. In Level 1, foundational courses such as Engineering Drawings & CAD Solid Modelling, Precision Machining Theory and Practice, Applied Technical Mathematics, and communication skills set the stage for technical proficiency. Level 2 builds on these fundamentals with advanced precision machining theory and practice, CNC Manual Programming, and training in Metrology and Coordinate Measuring Machines to enhance measurement accuracy and quality control. By Level 3, students delve deeper into tool making with courses like Tool Making Theory and Practice, alongside CAD/CAM Basic, preparing them for the complexities of tool fabrication and digital design integration. The final Level 4 offers advanced training in Die Design Theory and Practice, as well as CAD/CAM Advanced, equipping graduates with the skills to design and manufacture complex dies using industry-standard software and machinery. Electives in general education across all levels ensure well-rounded development. This program is aligned with Ontario’s apprenticeship standards, enabling graduates to potentially bypass Level 1 and 2 in-school training or exemption exams, especially if they pursue the tool and die maker apprenticeship. The combination of rigorous academics, hands-on practice, and co-op opportunities prepares students for a successful career in a highly specialized and in-demand skilled trade.