Subsurface Utility Engineering/Investigation involves understanding all underground infrastructure (such as utilities) in order to facilitate proper decision and risk management associated with design, construction, and even maintenance/upgrades of infrastructure.

SUE/SUI is composed of four levels including:

• Quality Level D (QL-D): Information derived from existing records or oral recollections.
• Quality Level C (QL-C): Information obtained by surveying and plotting visible above-ground utility features and using professional judgment to correlate this information with QL-D information.
• Quality Level B (QL-B): The application of surface geophysical methods to determine the existence and horizontal position of subsurface utilities within a project’s limits. Non-destructive technologies including Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electromagnetic (EM) tools can be leveraged at this stage to accurately detect conductive and non-conductive underground assets.
• Quality Level A (QL-A): Also known as daylighting, QL-A provides the precise horizontal and vertical location of utilities along with type, size, condition and material, obtained by actual exposure, usually through vacuum excavation.

Proper Subsurface Utility Engineering/Investigations helps reduce risk within the processes of utility mapping at appropriate quality levels, utility coordination, utility relocation design and coordination, utility condition assessment, communication of utility data to concerned parties, utility relocation cost estimates, implementation of utility accommodation policies, and utility design.

This course will provide you with a deep understanding of underground infrastructure, as well as utility planning and engineering. You will learn how to provide, prepare and propose the most feasible infrastructure planning options to designers and engineers. In addition, this course will help you learn about different techniques of utility data collection, as well as overcome any field issues you may have in your future career.

Admission to this program is based on several factors. You must complete our online application form, which can be found here. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with multiple course start dates throughout the year. Limited spots are available in each training cohort.

Admission requirements & pre-requisites for this program include:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, including:
  • Grade 12 English, or equivalent
• Ability to distinguish between colours for marked utilities
• Ability to carry up to 15 pounds
• Intermediate computer skills
• Valid driver’s license with clean driver’s abstract

Applicants should note that:

• Most employment opportunities require that certain physical standards, driving abstracts and health standards, including vision, must be met
• A Police Criminal Record Check (PCRC) (pardons are possible, seek legal counsel) and additional selection criteria may be used to assess applicants in this program
• Applicants should be advised that most employers require a criminal records check (PCRC)
• Applicants are advised that there are specific requirements that must be completed prior to participating in a co-op placement and that it is their responsibility to ensure the requirements are met
• Students are required to successfully complete several tests designed for damage prevention careers and a written assessment to achieve certification

Tuition for this program is broken down as the following for anyone who completes the work commitment:

• Course Fee $0.00 CAD (No tuition cost for CUTI program applicants when committing to work placement)
• Paid Practicum Fee $0.00 CAD

The total value of the in-class/in-field components of this training program is $9750.00 CAD. In this cohort, successful trainees will complete paid practicums and job placements with real companies in the utilities industry, who will be sponsoring course fees for trainees who complete the Paid Practicum & 3-month Full Time Employment.

• If you successfully complete the training program, the 3-month paid practicum, and the minimum
  3-month full-time employment component of this program (total commitment ~7-8 months), you will not be
  responsible for any fees.
• If you do not complete the training, paid practicum, or 3-months of full-time employment, you will be
  responsible for all of part of the course fee, based on the Terms & Conditions agreement.
• You may take this course without the desired outcome of employment, in which case, you will be
  responsible for all course fees.

Above fees based on 2022 program start dates. Contact us to confirm fees for other start dates.

This 6-week program covers the following topics:

• Terms and definitions used in SUE/SUI
• Standards and Quality levels
• Level D data collection and its QC and assessment
• Surveying and mapping basic and terms
• Familiarization with mapping equipment
• Application of mapping equipment in data collection
• Level C data collection and its QC and assessment
• Advanced utility designation
• Familiarization with EM basics and equipment
• Ground-penetrating Radar (GPR) and its application
• GPR data processing
• Level B data collection and its QC and assessment
• Conflict matrix
• Level A data collection
• Safety Required for SUE/SUI project.

This 6-week program is broken down as follows:

Week 1-3: Pre-Requisite Damage Prevention Course

• In-class and in-field learning on utility locating & damage prevention techniques, in order for accurate data collection
• Includes in-class and in-field testing in order to advance

Week 4: In-Class Learning

• Fundamentals and concepts of SUE/SUI, familiarization with SUE/SUI equipment
• Includes in-class testing in order to advance

Week 5: In-Field Learning

• Mapping and data collection with total stations
• Mapping and data collection with GPS
• Includes in-field testing in order to advance

Week 6: Mixed In-Field and In-Class Training

• Invert measurement and MH measurement
• GPR field data collection
• Using 3D scanners for data collection
• How to process the obtained data
• Includes in-class and in-field testing in order to advance

Once certification is achieved, trainees will be able to:

• Possess a deep understanding of underground infrastructure and utilities
• Read site plans, area maps and blueprints to determine location of underground high-voltage electrical cables, water lines, sewer lines, steam lines, gas lines, telephone and other communications lines, as well as duct banks and electric/water/gas taps to buildings.
• Utilize site plans, area maps, blueprints, computer mapping database and other location information
• Mark buried utility locations and communicate relevant information to excavation personnel or other appropriate authorities.
• Operate equipment, including electromagnetic equipment, ground penetrative radar (GPR), and more.
• Provide accurate documentation and/or sketches with measurements using an electronic drawing tool for the requested work area.
• Adhere to all health and safety procedures, including completing daily forms and reports.

In addition, some benefits of completion include:

• Gaining a thorough understanding of utility construction and operation
• Gaining confidence in dealing with customers and clients
• Learning to work independently and within a team setting
• Going to different work sites everyday
• Growing knowledge of different companies while working on-site at different projects
• Keeping physically active and getting to work outdoors
• Gaining knowledge of different areas in local cities/regions
• Being able to travel to other provinces/areas

Career Opportunities

Where you could work includes:

• Utilities Companies: Tierra Geomatics

Contact Our Information Hub
Haven’t applied yet and have questions?
Contact our Information Hub for details on programs, how to apply, and more.
info@cuti.ca
Phone: (647) 494-4882