Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation stone of the college on 26th April 1958. And Late Shri Pattam A. Thanu Pillai, the then Chief Minister of Kerala inaugurated the college on 2nd February 1962.

The college offers various postgraduate programmes along with the regular B. Tech courses.

The National Board of Accreditation accredits the courses offered by the college.

The college is affiliated to the University of Calicut.

GEC Thrissur offers the following full time courses:

Civil Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Production Engineering
Electronics and Communication Engineering
Computer Science and Engineering
Architecture

The part-time courses the college offers to Diploma holders are:

Civil Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Electronics Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Computer Science and Engineering
Electronics and Communication Engineering

The post graduate courses offered by the college are as follows:

Environmental Engineering
Production Engineering
Power Systems Engineering
Process Control
Computer Applications

GEC has an active college union body that addresses to the needs of the students and undertakes matters concerning the welfare of the student's community.

The college union regularly conducts various programmes like Bhoomika- Union Inauguration, Confluence- Annual Arts Festival, and Geethika- College Day.

GEC also provides other facilities like Hostel, Canteen, Post office, Bank and Dispensary within the college campus for the benefit of the students. The college also runs regular service of college bus for students and faculties.

The college is equipped with 'Edustat' facilities for the benefit of the students.

GEC also provides career guidance and placement facilities to its students. The Parent Teacher Association is actively involved in aiding smooth functioning of the college.

The Staff Club at GEC facilitates improvement of cultural and academic activities among the teaching staff of the college.