Architecture - Construction Engineering Technology
Program details
Credential: 3-Year Ontario College Advanced DiplomaThis dynamic three-year program gives the student broad and thorough training in all phases of the building industry. The training is directly related to industry standards and working conditions with challenging projects encompassing building design, building performance, working drawings, building systems, estimating, building code analysis, specifications and building information modeling (BIM). Founded on project-based learning principles, the program uses discussion groups, seminars, field trips and practical assignments. Sustainable design and construction practices form the core of this program and cover such topics as structural, building envelope, whole building and universal design, building science, indoor environment systems, building economics, sustainability, renewable energy and energy efficiency. Faculty are highly qualified specialists with current and relevant field experience. The local industry actively supports this program and is used as a teaching resource.
The broad nature of the program permits the student a wide choice of employment options including an extensive range of positions with construction, architectural, engineering and building science consulting firms; inspection and advisory roles with government and municipal building authorities; technical detailing, estimating and marketing positions in the construction industry.
Student availability & wage data
Conestoga College facilitates recruitment on an ongoing basis - there are no hard deadlines. Typical time frames for work terms are listed below.
Postings are accepted beginning four months before the start of a term until all students have secured employment provided the minimum 12 consecutive weeks of full-time work is met.
Work/Study Sequence
| Year | Fall (Sept - Dec) | Winter (Jan - Apr) | Spring (May - Aug) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Classes | Classes | Work Term 1: $17.20–25 |
| Year 2 | Classes | Classes | Work Term 2: $17.20-26 |
| Year 3 | Classes | Classes |
Conestoga College collects data on hourly wages of co-operative education students and offers suggested ranges as a service to employers for the purpose of establishing fair and competitive compensation.
Our experience has been that employers increase wages as skills increase, particularly when employing students for more advanced work terms. The Co-operative Education Office can provide assistance to employers in establishing appropriate wage rates.
Work term capabilities
Specific skills and abilities that students are typically capable of performing during a given work term are listed below.
Work term 1
- Prepare design and construction drawings for small-scale residential and commercial projects using the latest version of AutoCAD and Revit
- Prepare preliminary Building Information Models using Revit
- Assist in preparing cost estimates and performing site measurements
- Prepare site sketches/site measurements and basic field inspections
- Examine house plans for conformity to Part 9 of the Ontario Building Code
- Participate as part of an on-site construction survey team
- Determine appropriate building materials for projects based on performance characteristics, sustainability and constructability
- Assist in the preparation of design models and renderings
Work term 2
- Prepare design and construction drawings for residential, commercial and industrial projects using the latest versions of AutoCAD and Revit
- Prepare Building Information Models using Revit
- Assist with preparation of shop drawings for a variety of subtrades for simple buildings
- Create archival documentation
- Assist with "as-built" building documentation
- Examine building plans for conformity to Parts 3 and 9 of the Ontario Building Code
- Certified by Heating, Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) to perform heat loss/gain calculations and duct design for houses
- Perform field inspection duties on construction sites
- Prepare preliminary cost estimates for various project types
Sample job titles
Work term 1:
- Construction Project Manager's Assistant
- Construction Site Labourer
- Construction Superintendent's Assistant
- Construction Trades Assistant
- Facilities Management Assistant
- Junior Designer
- Junior Draftsperson
- Municipal Building Official Assistant
- Plans Examiner
- Site Clerk
- Technical Support Assistant
Work term 2:
- Building Inspector
- Junior Cost Estimator
- Intermediate Draftsperson
- Plans Examiner
Program courses
To see a typical course list for this program, see the current program course information.
Post a co-op job now
Setup an account or login to Conestoga's MyCareer to post a job.
Contact information
Do you need help developing a recruitment plan or job posting, accessing wage information, or connecting with a talented co-op student? Contact:
Ken Buitenhuis
Employer Relations Consultant
kbuitenhuis@conestogac.on.ca
226-808-2848