Education · 1 of 4

The path

Get hired, pass the entry exam, then climb the classes with experience.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Required for a certificate in every province. Chemistry, biology and math help most.

2. 2

   Optional college program

   0 to 2 years

   Water quality, environmental or chemical technician diplomas at colleges across Canada. Not required, but it helps you get hired and counts toward higher classes.

3. 3

   Operator-in-training

   Weeks to months

   In Ontario, pass the operator-in-training exam (70% to pass) and get hired at a plant. The certificate lasts 36 months. Alberta's entry levels are Small Systems and Level I.

4. 4

   Class I certificate

   1 year

   After at least one year working in a municipal system, write the Class I exam. Alberta's Level I also needs a year of experience plus a training course.

5. 5

   Classes II, III and IV

   2 to 8 more years

   Each class needs more years of experience and, for the top classes, post-secondary education or approved equivalents. Bigger plants need higher-class operators.