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Short Term Training

Structural and Building Technology Certificate

Step into the world of structural and building technology with the skills to analyze building systems, interpret structural drawings, and support engineering and construction projects from the ground up. This program bridges structural engineering principles with practical building technology knowledge, preparing you for a wide range of technical roles in engineering, construction, and building design. BC’s construction and infrastructure sectors need technical professionals who understand how buildings are engineered and built.

Next Start Date: September 7th, 2026
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Program Snapshot

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

Employment Opportunities

Structural Engineering Technician / Technologist
Building Technology Specialist
Construction Technology Coordinator
Estimator
Structural Detailer
View more below →

Why Brighton?

Optional Practicum Placement
Structural Engineering & Building Systems Training
Industry-Standard Software & Technical Drawing Skills
Broad Career Applications Across Engineering & Construction

Skills You’ll Gain

AutoCADRevitBuilding Structural EstimatingStructural Steel and Reinforced Concrete DesignBuilding Code Reference Tools

In my home country, I had a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering with 10 years’ experience in consulting engineering firms. As a newcomer to Canada, I chose Brighton College for a chance to find a job through a program with a co-op. Brighton College has a very friendly atmosphere with good instructors

– Hamid Talasaz, Structural and Building Technology
Program Video

Watch the Program Video

Learn how this program develops practical skills in structural analysis, building systems, steel, concrete and wood design, Revit, estimating, and technical documentation.

Structural and Building Technology Certificate program preview

Program Description

The Structural and Building Technology Certificate provides practical training in structural engineering technology and building systems, preparing students for technical roles that support engineering firms, construction companies, and building design organizations. The program covers structural analysis principles, building materials, construction methods, structural detailing, building codes, and the technical documentation used across engineering and construction practice.

Students develop the ability to interpret and produce structural drawings, understand fundamental load and force concepts, and apply building code requirements to real design and construction scenarios. The curriculum combines industry-standard software training with a strong grounding in structural engineering fundamentals, building systems, and construction documentation practices.

Students who choose the practicum option gain hands-on experience within a professional engineering, structural design, or construction environment, reinforcing their training with real-world application and industry mentorship. Graduates pursue careers as structural engineering technicians, building technology specialists, and construction technology professionals with structural engineering firms, general contractors, building design consultancies, and government engineering departments.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion, successful students will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  • Use AutoCAD effectively to create working drawings.
  • Use AutoCAD for architectural and structural drawings.
  • Apply local building-code standards to architectural and interior-design drawings.
  • Apply city bylaws to site and building design.
  • Analyze and design steel structures and create structural details.
  • Design and detail wood structures in accordance with local engineering standards.
  • Design and detail reinforced-concrete structures.
  • Interpret engineering and architectural drawings and perform quantity estimating.
  • Produce a professional drawing portfolio.
  • Apply acquired knowledge and skills during the practicum placement, when selected.

Courses

AUT010 | Computer and Mathematic Fundamentals

Computer operation, file management, Microsoft Word, Excel, algebra, trigonometry, and geometry.

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

AUT100 | AutoCAD Fundamentals

Fundamental 2D drafting and basic 3D modelling with AutoCAD.

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

AUT150 | AutoCAD Advanced

Advanced AutoCAD commands, drawing management, layouts, and 3D modelling.

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

CCT100 | Building Code

BC Building Code, zoning bylaws, standards, specifications, and related drawings.

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

AUT310 | Revit Architecture

BIM building design, modelling, documentation, families, schedules, rendering, walkthroughs, and sheets.

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

CCT140 | Construction Estimating

Quantity takeoffs and cost estimating for buildings and civil infrastructure.

Duration: 60 hours, 3 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.

CCT240 | Estimating and Cost Control

Computerized takeoffs and cost control for wood, steel, and reinforced-concrete structures.

Duration: 40 hours, 2 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, CCT100.

CCT160 | Building Construction Inspection and Management

Building inspection, planning, Gantt charts, CPM, scheduling software, and management.

Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: AUT100, CCT100.

AUT410 | Building Piping Services

Water, storm, and sanitary piping design, sizing, hydraulic loads, drawings, and BC Plumbing Code.

Duration: 40 hours, 2 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.

STR200 | Structural Steel Design and Detailing

Steel structural design, member sizing, estimating, and AutoCAD detailing.

Duration: 60 hours, 3 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.

STR300 | Concrete Structure Design and Detailing

Canadian reinforced-concrete design and detailing using AutoCAD and Revit.

Duration: 40 hours, 2 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.

STR400 | Pavement Structures

Road pavement and bridge structures, loads, materials, environmental effects, distress, and rehabilitation.

Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.

STR500 | Wood Structures

Wood properties, statics, loads, material selection, connections, member design, and seismic considerations.

Duration: 40 hours, 2 weeks.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.

AUT650 | Portfolio Development

Professional drawing portfolio, interviews, résumés, and cover letters.

Duration: 20 hours, 1 week.
Prerequisite: AUT100, AUT150, CCT100.

AUT140 | Technical Communications

Technical writing, reports, verbal communication, and project presentations.

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

WEP150 | Practicum

Students integrate program theory and skills in a professional workplace.

Duration: 150 hours, 4 weeks.

Admission Requirements

  • High school diploma or mature student status*
  • Legal eligibility to study in Canada
  • Pass College's mathematic entrance examination
  • 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

  • Construction Technician
  • Architectural/Building Drafter
  • Civil Engineering Drafter
  • Structural Designer/Drafter
  • Steel and Concrete Detailer
  • Project Coordinator

Grow Your Career Into

  • Construction Project Manager
  • Construction Inspector
  • Steel Detailer/Consultant
  • Construction Superintendent
  • Plan Checker

Labour Market Snapshot

  • NOC: 22300
  • Annual Earnings *Average: $75,858
  • Job Openings (2025–2035): 1,030
  • Wages (BC): High $50.00/hr
    Median $38.00/hr
    Low $23.00/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.