Gain a practical understanding of how construction projects are designed, coordinated, inspected, and built. This program combines construction knowledge with technical drafting skills, helping students understand building systems, construction methods, estimating, inspections, and project documentation used throughout residential, commercial, and civil infrastructure projects.
CredentialCertificate
Duration35 Weeks with Practicum or 31 Weeks without Practicum
Practicum4-Week Practicum (150 hours)
Schedule20 hours/week, Monday – Friday, daytime and evening classes
DeliveryIn-Class, Online (Synchronous)*, or Combined
I decided to go to Brighton College to start in a new field and make a better career choice for myself. The program was very helpful and educational; the instructors were very knowledgeable. Small class structures and projects based on real-life situations made this experience the best.
– Ram Sharma, Construction TechnicianLearn about the Construction and Drafting Technician Certificate and how it combines construction operations, inspections, estimating, CAD drafting, BIM, and practicum experience.
The Construction and Drafting Technician Certificate prepares students to understand how construction projects move from design concepts to completed buildings and infrastructure. Combining construction knowledge with technical drafting skills, the program provides practical training in the processes and documentation used throughout the construction industry.
Students learn how construction professionals interpret plans, estimate project costs, inspect building components, and coordinate construction activities.
Through courses in construction estimating, building inspection, civil infrastructure inspection, building systems, and construction management, students develop an understanding of the technical and operational aspects of construction projects.
The program also introduces industry-standard design technologies including AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, and SketchUp. Students learn how technical drawings, BIM models, and project documentation support construction planning, communication, and execution across residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects.
Unlike programs that focus primarily on architectural design, structural engineering, or advanced CAD specialization, this certificate emphasizes the relationship between construction operations and technical documentation. Students graduate with a practical understanding of both the construction process and the drawings that guide it, preparing them for a variety of roles that support construction and development projects.
Upon completion of this program, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
This course provides students with the fundamentals of computer operation, file management, and basic mathematics. Major topics include keyboarding skills, Microsoft Word document formatting, Excel spreadsheet creation, linear algebra, quadratic equations, trigonometry, and geometry.
Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: none.
This course provides student with the fundamental skills of computer aided design and drafting using AutoCAD. Students learn the most up-to-date AutoCAD techniques that are being used in engineering and building-design professions. Utilizing high-end computer tools, students learn how to create drawings in 2-dimensional environments and basic 3-dimensional models.
Duration: 60 hours, 3 weeks.
Prerequisite: none.
Technical communication skills are required in service, business, and technical working environments. This course focuses on verbal, writing, and presentation skills within the scope of architecture and engineering. Students will learn how to produce technical report documents and present their project drawings effectively.
Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: none.
This course provides students with instruction in advanced level AutoCAD commands and drawing management techniques. Students will learn project-orientated drafting and design skills, with an emphasis being placed on scaled 2-Dimensional project drawing in model and paper space layout settings. Students will also learn how to use advanced 3-Dimensional tools to create surface models and composite solid models.
Duration: 60 hours, 3 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100.
This course provides students with a foundation in parametric Building Information Modeling (BIM). Students will use Revit Architecture for parametric building design and project 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 commercial and residential building, basic structures, and wall type selection, building interior design, family customization, site creation, roof design, schedules, 3D walkthrough, rendering and sheet production.
Duration: 80 hours, 4 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.
The course provides students with the skills to use Autodesk Civil 3D computer software for civil engineering, land development and infrastructure design. Students learn how to create civil plans, profiles, and cross sections as well as 3-dimensional corridor models. Major topics include survey data imports, creation of land surfaces, land parcels, roadway alignments, vertical curve profiles, underground piping layout, and infrastructure assemblies. Students also learn Civil 3D drafting procedures, dynamic model updating techniques and the computation of earth work as well as pavement material quantities.
Duration: 80 hours, 4 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.
This course covers the principles of plumbing piping design with an emphasis on the application of piping components, material selection and pipe sizing which applies to water, storm and sanitary plumbing piping systems. Students will learn to calculate hydraulic loads for plumbing fixtures and create piping design drawings for residential and commercial buildings. Students will also learn to apply British Columbia Plumbing Code in the design of plumbing piping systems.
Duration: 40 hours, 2 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.
This course covers the principals of electrical systems with a strong emphasis on building load, wirings, components, materials and design layout. Students learn how to calculate electrical loads for houses, apartment units and prepare electrical design drawings for residential building systems.
Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: AUT100.
This course provides students with 3D computer modeling skills by using the Sketchup software application. Students learn the knowledge to create architectural building components and models with rendering effects. Major topics include layers, sketch techniques, land topography, exterior wall creation, paint style, roof modeling, building interior layout, sectioning, scene creation and sheet layout.
Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150.
This course provides students with the skills to create interior design drawings for commercial and hospitality projects. Students will use AutoCAD to create conceptual and detailed design drawings. Major topics include wall partition design, ceiling and lighting design, interior furniture selection, interior finishes, space planning and overall design presentation. Students will design building interior features in accordance with the building code and city bylaw standards.
Duration: 40 hours, 2 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.
This course will give students a thorough understanding of the Canadian building law and the British Columbia Building Code. Major topics include the study of the zoning, all aspects of residential and commercial building construction standards, design specifications, occupant safety and professional practice which may affect the design and construction of the building. Occupational health and safety in local workplace will also be emphasized in this course.
Duration: 40 hours, 2 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100.
This course presents the role of key stakeholders involved in health and safety issues in construction. Sessions will include: the role of workers’ compensation board; accident prevention on the construction site; protection of the public; health hazards and the cost of accidents in construction.
Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: none.
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 construction components. An overview of the contractual responsibilities and relationships between the various parties to a construction contract and tendering processes is also covered.
Duration: 60 hours, 3 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, CCT100.
This course provides students with good knowledge in detailed inspection techniques as well as project management skills for civil engineering infrastructures. Topics include construction planning, inspection, Gantt charts, CPM methods, scheduling software and civil construction management skills. In addition, overview of the contractual responsibilities, contract relationships, bonding, liens and holdbacks, tendering, types of contracts, and the application of typical clauses to construction related issues will be taught in this course.
Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: AUT100, CCT100.
This course provides students with good knowledge in detailed inspection techniques as well as project management skills for building. Topics include building / construction planning, inspection, Gantt charts, CPM methods, scheduling software and building construction management skills. In addition, an overview of the Canadian legal system, contractual responsibilities, contract relationships, bonding, liens and holdbacks, tendering, types of contracts, and the application of typical clauses to construction related issues will be taught in this course.
Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: AUT100, CCT100.
This course helps students to prepare a working portfolio, which will assist them in presenting themselves during interviews or seminars. Students will produce a portfolio in the areas of engineering and architectural 2D drawings and 3D models. Students also will learn interview skills and how to prepare their resume and cover letter.
Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.
The student will have the opportunity to integrate theory and skills learnt during the program with practical situation from the real world of business. The purpose is to obtain relevant field experience prior to graduation and identify strengths prior to embarking on a new, exciting career.
Duration: 150 hours, 4 weeks.
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.
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.
