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Short Term Training

CAD Drafting for Building Certificate

Get job-ready skills in CAD drafting for the building industry in just 16 weeks. This certificate delivers essential AutoCAD and technical drawing skills tailored to architectural and building applications, giving you the foundation to start producing professional drawings quickly. Ideal for those entering the workforce or looking to build on existing construction or design experience.

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Program Snapshot

CredentialCertificate

Duration16 Weeks

PracticumNo practicum

Schedule20 hours/week, Monday – Friday, daytime and evening classes

DeliveryIn-Class, Online (Synchronous)*, or Combined

Employment Opportunities

CAD Technician
Architectural Drafting Assistant
Building Design Technician
BIM Modeler
View more below →

Why Brighton?

Fast-Track 16-Week Certificate
Focused on Architectural & Building Drafting
Practical, Project-Based Software Training
Pathway to Advanced CAD & Design Programs

Skills You’ll Gain

AutoCADBuilding Plan DocumentationCAD Drafting SkillsBIM Modeling

I decided to come to Brighton College to learn about AutoCAD drafting, especially regarding building plan drafting. The instructors here are nice and they treat students as friends. They are very approachable.

– Julito Cueva, CAD Drafting for Building Certificate
Program Video

Watch the Program Video

Learn about the CAD Drafting for Building Certificate and its focused training in AutoCAD, technical drawings, building documentation, Revit, and BIM.

CAD Drafting for Building Certificate program preview

Program Description

The CAD Drafting for Building Certificate delivers targeted training in computer-aided drafting with a focus on architectural and building design applications. In 16 weeks, students develop core competencies in AutoCAD, technical drawing principles, and building plan documentation aligned with current building industry standards.

The program prioritizes hands-on skill-building through project work, helping students become confident in producing floor plans, elevations, sections, and construction details. Students also develop an understanding of architectural drawing conventions, building components, and the spatial relationships that define professional drafting practice.

This compact program suits students entering the CAD field efficiently, or construction and design professionals adding formal technical drawing credentials. It also serves as a strong foundation for those planning to continue into longer design, construction, or engineering technology programs at Brighton College.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this program, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  • Use AutoCAD effectively to create professional working drawings.
  • Use AutoCAD as a tool for engineering and architectural drawings.
  • Apply local building-code standards to architectural and interior-design drawings.
  • Interpret engineering and architectural drawings and perform quantity estimating.
  • Use Revit to create three-dimensional building models with rendering effects.

Courses

AUT010 | Computer and Mathematic Fundamentals

This course provides students the fundamental knowledge of computer operation, file management and the basics of mathematics. Major topics include Microsoft Word keyboarding skills, document formatting, Excel spreadsheet creation, linear algebra, quadratic equations, trigonometry, and geometry.

Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: none.

AUT100 | AutoCAD Fundamentals

This course provides students with knowledge and skills focusing on computer aided design and drafting using AutoCAD. Students learn the most updated techniques in computer-aided design / drafting in the engineering and building design profession. Utilizing high-end computer tools, students gain knowledge in producing drawings in 2-dimensional environment as well as basic 3-dimensional models.

Duration: 60 hours, 3 weeks.
Prerequisite: none.

AUT150 | AutoCAD Advanced

This course provides students with in-depth studies in advanced level AutoCAD commands and drawing management techniques. A complete overview focuses on project orientated drafting and design skills with an emphasis on scaled 2-Dimensional project drawing in model and paper space layout settings. Students also learn advanced 3-Dimensional tools to create surface models and composite solid models.

Duration: 60 hours, 3 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100.

CCT100 | Building Code

This course provides students the knowledge to use the British Columbia Building Code as well as city zoning bylaws. Major topics include building zoning, residential wood framed building construction standards, design specifications, fire protection, basic structural standards, and other professional practices which may affect the design and construction of a building. Students will also use AutoCAD to create site plans, floor plans, sections and elevations.

Duration: 40 hours, 2 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100.

CCT140 | Construction Estimating 1

This course provides students with the knowledge necessary to estimate and control construction activities for typical building and civil engineering construction projects. Topics include residential, commercial and civil infrastructure estimating methods, quantity takeoff and cost calculation procedures of the construction components. Overview of the contractual responsibilities and relationships between the various parties to a construction contract and tendering processes are also discussed.

Duration: 60 hours, 3 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, CCT100.

AUT310 | Revit Architecture

This course is a parametric Building Information Modeling (BIM) program. Students use Revit® Architecture to learn building information modeling and the tools for parametric building design and documentation. Students begin the course by learning the fundamental features of Revit and progress through design modeling to drawing production. Major topics include the modeling of basic building structures, wall type selection, building interior design, family customization, site creation, roof design, 3D walkthrough, rendering and sheet production.

Duration: 80 hours, 4 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.

Admission Requirements

  • High school diploma or mature student status*
  • Legal eligibility to study in Canada
  • English proficiency requirement from one of following options:
    1. Completion of 3 years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8-12), or 2 years of if Grade are 10, 11, or 12, have been successfully completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages, or
    2. Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages (includes international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, and IQAS), or
    3. Evidence of achievement in a recognized standardized language assessment at an overall level equivalent to IELTS 5.5 (academic) or higher: IELTS academic 5.5; TOEFL IBT 46; CAEL 40; CELPIP (Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, Writing 5); DET 95, PTE 43; FCE 160 or “C”; Cambridge Linguaskill B2; LANGUAGECERT Academic B2; MET B2; iTEP Academic 3.5; EIKEN Grade Pre-1. Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program, or
    4. Evidence of graduation from language program with a minimum grade/level from a Languages Canada accredited institution with an established pathway/articulation agreement allowing direct entry (no further testing required) to a diploma or degree program at a public institution in Canada. The pathway/articulation agreement must be current at the date of enrolment, or
    5. Accuplacer - This option may only apply when:
      • English is the program’s language of instruction, and
      • the applicant is a mature domestic student facing barriers, and
      • the applicant cannot access their educational records or cannot provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as outlined in this policy
      • Applicant is 19 years or older at the start of the program and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and
      • Applicant provides attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time instruction in English* in a country where the English is one of the principal languages, and
      • Applicant completes an Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation: Reading, Writing and WritePlacer) and achieves the following minimum scores:
        • Reading: 230, and Writing: 230, and WritePlacer: 4

Refer to Language Proficiency Policy for details.

*Mature Student is defined as an individual who is 19 years of age or older at the start of the program.

*Under no circumstances can these Admission Requirements be waived.

Employment Opportunities

Start Your Career As

  • Architectural Drafter
  • Civil Engineering Drafter
  • Interior Design Drafter
  • Computer Aided Design Technician

Grow Your Career Into

  • CAD Coordinator
  • CAD Manager
  • Mechanical Project Coordinator
  • Interior Design Project Coordinator

Labour Market Snapshot

  • NOC: 22212
  • Annual Earnings *Average: $64,938
  • Job Openings (2025–2035): 1,650
  • Wages (BC): High $51.00/hr
    Median $33.65/hr
    Low $20.00/hr

Data sourced from WorkBC. Occupation information aligned with the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

Career-path occupations generally require additional industry experience, employer training, certification, professional registration or further education. Completion of this program does not by itself confer a professional licence or protected occupational designation.