In the Carpentry and Renovation Techniques program, you will learn how to build and repair structures through hands-on shop work and real-world construction projects.
CIP Code:46.0201
PGWP Eligible
This program meets the criteria to be Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligible as defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Note: PGWP eligibility does not guarantee approval. IRCC assesses all applications individually.
Start your carpentry career with Confederation College’s Carpentry & Renovation Techniques certificate program. This dynamic one-year program is perfect for creative problem-solvers who thrive on bringing ideas to life through skilled craftsmanship. Offering a comprehensive exploration of the carpentry and renovation field, our curriculum empowers students to master both indoor and outdoor construction techniques, preparing them for diverse and rewarding career opportunities.
With the construction industry continuing to grow in northwestern Ontario and throughout Canada, and a record demand for new homes and commercial buildings, there's never been a better time to join. Gain hands-on skills and in-class learning in construction, safety, materials, blueprint reading, estimating, and masonry. This program provides the entry-level knowledge you need to be successful in residential, commercial, and industrial building settings.
Top Highlights
Fast-Track to Employment: Complete the program in one year and join the workforce quickly.
Safety Standards: Learn and adhere to safety standards for working on job sites.
Hands-On Learning: Combine classroom instruction with hands-on practice to enhance your skills.
Personalized Instruction: Benefit from plenty of one-on-one, personalized instruction.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Hands-on Learner: Enjoy practical, hands-on work and working with tools.
Physically Active: Comfortable working in outdoor and physically demanding environments.
Detail-oriented: Focused on precision and accuracy in building and renovation tasks.
Problem Solver: Capable of troubleshooting and solving on-site construction issues.
Team Player: Able to work collaboratively with diverse teams.
New Student Information
Confederation College supplies hard hats.
You are responsible for purchasing your own CSA approved safety boots and CSA approved safety glasses prior to attending the first shop class.
I learned a lot from the program about various parts of carpentry. I loved the way Shaun taught us. Construction practices, reading blueprints, AutoCAD... all the courses and subjects were helpful.
JS
Jatinder Singh
Graduate
This course gave me hands-on and theoretical experience that built a strong foundation for a career in construction and helped strengthen my resume for future apprenticeships.
Whether or not you pursue carpentry as a career, this program gives you essential knowledge to protect your biggest investment—your home—and skills you’ll use for life.
The program covered key areas like blueprints and building codes, and I especially valued the hands-on experience that prepares you for real jobsite performance.
The Carpentry & Renovation Techniques program taught me real-world skills like blueprint reading and material estimating, with engaging, hands-on classes that kept me motivated.
This program gave me essential hands-on skills every carpenter needs, from framing to blueprint reading—plus supportive instructors who truly care about your success.
It was an all-around great program. I gained a lot of experience. I particularly enjoyed the masonry class.
NE
Noah Echcam
Graduate of 2017
I enjoyed the program. I learned a lot. It was a good experience. I would be ready to work in a worksite.
GM
Garry Mathews
Graduate of 2017
This program gave me extensive knowledge of the construction industry and prepared me for the workforce—thanks to supportive instructors and a great learning environment.
I think the program could have been more hands-on, but all-and-all a decent program. Shaun is a great teacher.
VS
Vincent Speziale
Graduate of 2017
I found this program very informative and I learned lots about things I never had thought about before. I graduated with a great group of people and overall I had a good experience.
KS
Kyle Shipston
Graduate of 2017
This program was an enjoyable experience. The teachers and students were great people and I made a lot of new friends. I also learned a lot and would recommend it.
AO
Alex Osmulski
Graduate
This program taught me a wide range of practical, real-world skills that I’ll carry into my construction career—I’d recommend it to anyone entering the industry.
For those with little to no experience in the construction industry, this program will provide a jumpstart into a variety of skilled trades in the construction industry.
BT
Brenton Turgeon
Graduate of 2017
I enjoyed the Construction and Renovation Techniques program. There was never a dull moment.
LT
LerPwe Taw
Graduate of 2017
Taking Construction & Renovation Techniques was awesome. I had lots of fun and learned lots. I made many new friends and Shaun was a great teacher.
NSJ
Nick St Jacques
Graduate of 2017
It was great learning about all the different aspects of the construction industry and techniques to help give me a jump start in my future career.
CO
Chris Osmulski
Graduate of 2017
Admission Requirements
Fall
Fall (0383)
Admission Requirements for Domestic Students
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (or equivalent) with courses from the College (C), University (U), University/College (U/C), or Open (O) preparation levels with Grade 12 English (C/U) Level.
or successful completion of the Mature Student Assessment.
or successful completion of the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) or General Education Development Test (GED), prior to May 2024.
or appropriate credits from the Academic and Career Entrance program (ACE).
Students who do not meet the entrance requirements are encouraged to apply for the Pre Technology-Trades program to facilitate success in their technology path.
Tuition & Fees
Fees for Domestic StudentsProgram Code: 0383
Year 1
Total: $5,410.00
Fee Breakdown
Academic Fees
Total Tuition Fees:$2,740.00
Tuition Related Fees:$200.00
College Service Fee:$863.00
Health Fee:$305.00
Bus Fee:$332.00
$4,440.00
Program Fees
College Supplies:$30.00
Boots / Uniform:$140.00
Exam Fees, Certifications, Licenses, Apprentice or Business Registration:$200.00
Books & Supplies:$600.00
$970.00
Fees for International StudentsProgram Code: 0383
Year 1
Total: $19,756.25
Fee Breakdown
Academic Fees
Total Tuition Fees:$15,614.00
Tuition Related Fees:$200.00
College Service Fee:$863.00
Health Fee:$652.25
Bus Fee:$332.00
$17,661.25
Program Fees
College Supplies:$30.00
Boots / Uniform:$140.00
Exam Fees, Certifications, Licenses, Apprentice or Business Registration:$200.00
Books & Supplies:$600.00
$970.00
Ancillary Fees
Municipal Levy:$75.00
Student Fees:$300.00
Recovery Fee:$750.00
$1,125.00
Note
Please note that fees are estimated and are subject to change.
Fees shown on this page are for full-time students attending the main Thunder Bay campus for Fall 2026.
Costing for Regional Campuses & Distance Education Students:
If this program is available at Regional Campuses, or to Distance Education students, see the following links for costing information.
In this course students will be introduced to the key personnel and construction sequence relevant to carpenters and renovators in the field. Topics include health and safety, business practices, and basic project documentation. Through practical activities and assignments, students will understand the process of planning, designing, and executing carpentry projects.
In this course, students will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of blueprint reading. Topics include types of views, line conventions, basic dimensioning, and commonly used symbols. Students will also gain practical skills in interpreting construction drawings, with a focus on small buildings in the institutional and commercial sectors.
A study of materials, methods and safety practices of residential and commercial construction. The student will learn to distinguish and explain approved methods for the installation of materials as they relate to residential and commercial construction.
In this course, students will develop the fundamental comprehension, technical, business, and oral communication skills required of employees in the trades. Upon completion of this course, you will be more adept at analyzing real-world writing scenarios; writing clearly and concisely; and communicating professionally.
This course is designed to provide carpentry students with essential mathematical skills required in the trade. Topics covered include operations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percentages, measurement, ratio and proportion, and basic geometry. Upon successful completion of the course, students will have a solid foundation in the math needed for carpentry tasks.
In this course, students will build foundational skills for carpentry and renovation work. Through hands-on, project-based learning, they will practice construction layout, trade math, and safe use of hand and power tools. Working with construction materials, students will learn to read plans and carry out basic carpentry tasks. Teamwork and jobsite safety will be emphasized as students complete workshop-based projects
In this course, students will be introduced to fundamental welding safety and techniques. They will learn the operating principles of oxy-acetylene cutting and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), with a focus on non-structural applications. Through hands-on practice, students will perform basic cutting and welding tasks on components such as metal door frames, anchor bolts, and rebar. Emphasis will be placed on proper equipment use, personal protective equipment (PPE), and maintaining a safe, organized work environment.
In this course the student will explore the history and importance of masonry to the Construction Industry. Realizing manufactured products, field - produced materials, and skilled labour are utilized to produce walls and floor surfaces. Students will learn the basics of estimating, selecting, planning, and setting brick material to accent or form a structure.
This course introduces the students to the techniques involved in producing drawings by computer, storing the files and outputting the drawings to a plotter. The students gain the basic knowledge and skills in operating a computer keyboard, and screen display in selecting menu items to create and edit a drawing. The student also learns to work from the hard drive, back up files and set the parameters necessary to produce the desired plotted output.
In this course, students will enhance their practical knowledge and hands-on skills in construction and carpentry finishing. Emphasis is placed on rigging and the safe and effective use of scaffolding. Materials will be used with portable and stationary power tools to complete interior and exterior finishing tasks.
This course introduces students to the principles and practical applications of geometry in construction layout. Students will learn to identify and apply geometric procedures to layout straight lines, angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, circles, ellipses, other polygons, and arches. Students will also use primary trigonometric ratios to support working with triangles in carpentry projects.
In this course, students will enhance their practical skills and knowledge in carpentry while selecting appropriate tools and materials. Special emphasis will be placed on roof, stair and railing construction, reinforced through hands-on projects.
In this course, students will study and organize the essential steps to successfully complete a residential quantity survey using established industry principles. The course will also cover unit pricing techniques, incorporating measured quantities and labor costs, to prepare accurate and effective cost estimates.
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
Identify and use strategies to enhance work performance and continued learning to keep pace with industry changes.
Identify and adhere to established health and safety practices that apply to specific job sites, in accordance with current legislation and regulations.
Perform building construction and renovation tasks in compliance with contracts, the Ontario and/or National Building Codes, applicable laws and industry’s ethical practices.
Work in accordance with established sustainability practices.
Communicate and collaborate with diverse clients, supervisors and tradespersons to complete projects on time and to maintain effective working relationships.
Assist with maintaining accurate project documents and use computer technologies to support building construction and renovation projects.
Solve on-site trade-related building and renovation problems by applying principles of basic technical mathematics and building science.
Select, maintain and safely operate hand tools, and portable and stationary power tools, to efficiently complete building construction and renovation.
Assist with the completion of building and renovation stages, from site layout and footing to the application of interior and exterior finishes, according to specifications.
Assist in the preparation of material estimations according to building construction and renovation project documents.
Meet the Program Staff
1 staff member
Shaun Daniels
Program Coordinator - Carpentry and Renovation Techniques, School College Work Initiative (SCWI)
Graduates of the Carpentry & Renovation Techniques program can apply for entry-level positions such as:
Carpenter Helper
Construction Labourer
Renovation Technician
Employment opportunities are available with construction and restoration companies across northwestern Ontario, where you can build upon your skills and potentially specialize in specific areas of carpentry and renovation.
Clicking the button will take you to a detailed dashboard with up-to-date job data tailored to your program, including salary ranges, job titles, and projected demand.
Pathways
Confederation College offers a variety of articulation agreements designed to help you advance your education and career. Whether you're coming to us from another institution or planning your next steps after completing your program, our pathways make your transition seamless and effective.
Student Accessibility and Essential Program Requirements
Confederation College is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive learning environment and will provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and College policy.
Students who require accommodations are encouraged to engage with Student Accessibility Services and are responsible for initiating and participating in the accommodation process. Accommodation is a collaborative process involving the student, Student Accessibility Services, faculty, and the Academic School. Requests for accommodation are considered on an individual basis, and the College will work with students to identify reasonable accommodations that provide equitable access to learning while maintaining the integrity of the program.
Students are expected to demonstrate the essential knowledge, skills, professional behaviours, learning outcomes, and competencies required to successfully complete their program. While the manner in which these requirements are demonstrated may be accommodated where appropriate, the essential requirements themselves must still be achieved.
For programs involving laboratories, field work, clinical placements, aviation environments, trades training, equipment operation, simulations, community placements, or other environments where health and safety are critical, accommodations must also be consistent with applicable legislation, professional standards, licensing requirements, accreditation standards, and workplace safety obligations.
In some circumstances, a requested accommodation may not be reasonable or possible where it would:
Fundamentally alter an essential program requirement, competency, or learning outcome.
Compromise the health or safety of the student or others.
Conflict with provincial or federal legislation.
Conflict with the requirements of an external regulatory, licensing, accreditation, or professional body.
Prevent the student from demonstrating competencies required for safe and effective professional practice.
Note
Where a particular accommodation cannot be provided, the College will work collaboratively with the student to identify whether an alternative accommodation can appropriately address the student’s disability-related needs while maintaining essential program requirements.
