Meet the demand for quality professional documentation in the workplace.

The Technical Writer Ontario College Graduate Certificate program provides you with the skills and training needed for a career in technical communication. Throughout this one-year program, you create different types of workplace documents to help users enjoy all features of a product, service or information. In particular, you learn to:

• research and analyze technical material
• connect with an intended audience
• use specialized tools to author documents
• manage multiple projects to meet the goals of a group
• create structured documents that cater to different user tasks

These skills are so highly prized in the workplace that you can choose to work in either the public or the private sector, and in a freelance, part-time or full-time capacity.

The Technical Writer program will teach you how to create different kinds of online and print documents such as instruction sets, training materials, user manuals, white papers, proposals, online help, instructional videos and podcasts.

Through a combination of real-world learning, group projects, and collaborative learning activities, you can confidently apply these skills in all areas of industry including manufacturing, health and medicine, government, high-tech and private training institutions.

Students also have the option to gain real-world experience through a paid co-operative education (co-op) work term (see Additional Information for more details). Please note that places in the co-op version of the program are subject to availability. Students who elect to apply to the non co-op version of the program may not have the opportunity to transfer to the co-op version at a later date.

At the end of the program you will be ready to begin careers as information architects, content developers, technical editors, instructional designers and communication officers.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Possess advanced written and oral communication abilities.
• Enjoy designing, developing, writing and refining online and print material.
• Possess interpersonal skills for collaboration with colleagues.
• Enjoy researching, collecting, analyzing and organizing technical information.
• Function in a self-directed manner in a team environment.
• Organize their work and pay attention to detail.
• Enjoy using software tools to create documents and websites.

Careers

Graduates may be successful in finding work as writers, editors and documentation specialists. Canadian and international demand is high for qualified technical communicators in both the private and the public sectors. While most graduates may work as employees in large organizations, some choose self-employment in the field.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Plan, design, manage, and control online and print documents.
2. Research, collect, analyze, and organize relevant technical information for the writing and editing of online and print documents.
3. Communicate technical information clearly, concisely, and correctly.
4. Edit online and print documents.
5. Use authoring tools to create online and print documents.
6. Analyze users` needs to design, develop, and refine technical documents and communication products.
7. Collaborate and interact with subject matter experts, colleagues, and users for the purpose of generating effective technical documents and
   communication products.
8. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic
   commitment and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

TECHNICAL WRITER
Program Code 1182X01FWO

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Applications are available online ontariocolleges.ca.

Applications for Fall Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the International Student Application Form at https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/ or by contacting the Registrar`s Office.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar`s Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Ave
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax: 613-727-7632
Contact: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro  

Program Resources

CO-OP INFORMATION

All applicants apply directly to the co-op version of this program through www.OntarioColleges.ca or our International Application Portal. Applicants not wishing to pursue the co-op version will have the opportunity to opt-out after being admitted to the program but prior to the first co-op work term.

Co-operative education (Co-op) allows students to integrate their classroom learning with a real-world experience through paid work terms. Two academic terms prior to the cooperative education work term, students are required to actively participate in and successfully complete the self-directed co-op course, readiness activities and workshops.

Students must actively conduct a guided, self-directed job search and are responsible for securing approved program-related paid co-op employment. Students compete for co-op positions alongside students from Algonquin College and other Canadian and international colleges and universities. Algonquin College`s Co-op Department provides assistance in developing co-op job opportunities and guides the overall process, but does not guarantee that a student will obtain employment in a co-op work term. Co-op students may be required to relocate to take part in the co-op employment opportunities available in their industry and must cover all associated expenses; e.g., travel, work permits, visa applications,accommodation and all other incurred expenses.

Co-op work terms are typically 14 weeks in duration and are completed during a term when students are not taking courses. For more information on your program`s co-op level(s), visit the courses tab on your program`s webpage.

International students enrolled in a co-op program are required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to have a valid Co-op/Internship Work Permit prior to commencing their work term. Without this document International students are not legally eligible to engage in work in Canada that is part of an academic program. The Co-op/Internship Work Permit does not authorize international students to work outside the requirements of their academic program.

For more information on co-op programs, the co-op work/study schedule, as well as general and program-specific co-op eligibility criteria, please visit www.algonquincollege.com/coop.

This program is also offered through Algonquin Online both on a part-time and full-time basis. For more information regarding the online delivery, please visit www.algonquincollege.com/online.  

For more information about the field of technical communication, visit our international professional association, the Society for Technical Communication (STC) at www.stc.org.