We, the undersigned, urge Fleming College to reconsider the recent suspension of its Environmental Technician and Technologist programs. These programs have been run since 1987 and have only seen increased enrollment since COVID. Environmental technicians and technologists jobs are an ever-growing market, as these jobs are versatile and robust. The environmental technician and technologist programs set students up to have the skills and certifications needed to effectively address issues commonly faced in these roles. This program is unique to other programs at Fleming College as it is regulated by standards set out in provincial guidelines. This program is also the only Environmental Technician program which is accredited by ECO Canada, therefore the program has been shaped to meet high standards. Thus producing graduates who excel in these positions. We believe reinstating these programs is crucial for the future success of students and the industry as a whole.

The sudden suspension has left many students feeling lost and without alternatives. Following this announcement, many of the students who had planned on returning for the third-year continuation of the Environmental Technician program, Environmental Technologist, have been left confused as the college sent out letters of acceptance on March 1st. Only to receive another email from the college on April 26th that the technician and technologist programs were suspended and would not be accepting students for the fall semester.

Fleming College has blamed these program suspensions on the recent international student cap. However, the college offered a certificate program for water and wastewater operations and management as an alternative, a program with 100% international student enrollment. Many students are not planning on returning for this program as the technician program already allowed students the opportunity to take a water and wastewater course and earn their OIT license. This has left all students uncertain about their futures, as there are no other programs like this at Fleming College. 

Anyone who has attended the campus knows that part of what makes the Fleming College Frost campus so special is its faculty. This is not an expectation for the Environmental Technician and Technologist programs. For this reason many students do not want to transfer to other post-secondary institutions as Environmental Technician and Technologist programs offered at other colleges which also focus more on the engineering aspects, whereas this program teaches students both to understand things to that level but focuses on specific practical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their careers. The suspension of the Environmental Technology program has made the Technology level diploma inaccessible to graduate Technicians as the only other one-year Environmental Technology program in Ontario is at Durham College; a fast-track program for students with relevant educational backgrounds to get the diploma. However, the Fleming Technology program is not a different program, rather it is a continuation of the Technician program.