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Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence

The Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence offers training that gives you the technical expertise and the people skills critical to these industries. Field placements and research projects provide an applied learning experience. With strong ties to the Ottawa construction industry, we work with industry partners to ensure our programs match current standards and practices used in the field today and connect our students to industry professionals to build contacts throughout their studies.

Our one-of-a-kind innovative building provides a space for industry, faculty and students to work together under a single green roof to implement sustainable building practices and technologies. Our website serves as a place to help potential students learn about the industry and find the right program for them. It also serves as a place for industry professionals to connect with us and build a sense of community.

“I am proud to work along side my dad, grandparents, aunt and uncle. Being an electrician is more than just a job to me, it’s something I am truly passionate about. I love working in the trades and I take great pride in what I do.”

Brett Deuville, Electrical Engineering Technician and Apprentice

Sustainability

Green Roof – our prime visible manifestation of sustainability

At close to 4,000 m2 the Green Roof on the ACCE building is one of our prime visible manifestations of sustainability that sets this building apart and gives it its striking, iconic presence. It consists of sedum drought-resistant plants that grow in a sand medium, requiring little maintenance or irrigation once established, and it is part of a high performance building envelope, achieving an R-50 insulating value. This growing vegetation also absorbs and controls rainwater runoff, which creates less strain on the building’s storm sewer drainage systems.

Graduating Environmentally Aware, Skilled Trades People

The Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE) serves as a showcase and teaching laboratory for sustainable construction. Daily interaction with the building and the living lab concept helps produce graduates who are environmentally aware, knowledgeable about green building practices, and able to live and work in a sustainable world.

LEED Platinum Certification

Gaining LEED Platinum certification has been an integral part of the design, materials selection and construction process of the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence since its inception. By meeting the highest standard for sustainability, ACCE has become one of the largest LEED Platinum certified building’s in Canada. Learn more about the ACCE building’s green commitments in this video produced by the Canadian Green Building Council.

The New Baseline Transit Hub

Baseline Station, a central hub of Ottawa’s public transit system, is located immediately adjacent to the new ACCE building. An underground tunnel has been incorporated to provide a sheltered terminal for the future Light Rail Transit, with easy access to bus routes on the ground level. This new transit hub and accompanying pedestrian bridge over Woodroffe Avenue allows the community to easily access and be a part of ACCE, while providing safe access to all Algonquin students.

Programs

The Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE) offers a number of trades, design and apprenticeship programs — many of which were developed to Red Seal Program standards. Sustainable construction and impressive features inside ACCE make it an ideal environment for students from a variety of disciplines to learn, collaborate and share knowledge. A career in Skilled Trades offers a lot of rewards and personal satisfaction – visit this website to find out more information on why a career in Skilled Trades may just be for you!

Diplomas

Advanced Diplomas

Certificates

Graduate Certificates

Bachelor Degrees

Continuing Education

Apprenticeships

About the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence

ACCE Building Virtual Tour

Take a virtual look inside the one-of-a-kind innovative Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence building

Experience the Virtual Tour

Explore the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence

Opened in September 2011, the LEED® Platinum accredited Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence brings the next generation of carpenters, plumbers, civil engineering technologists, interior designers, and many other trades and professions under a single, green roof in this one-of-a-kind living laboratory.

The Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE) is a hub of the best construction, architecture and engineering instructors and labs in Ontario, providing you with the education and hands-on skills you need to succeed in your career. We understand that you want the best education so you can kick-start your career into overdrive, and we’re here to support you on that path.

Inside ACCE

Living Labratory

ACCE serves as a living laboratory that augments student learning and applied research. A five-storey biowall made up of living plants filters the air, providing oxygen to the atrium space and all five connected floors. Built-in sensors located throughout the building provide real-time and historical building diagnostics via on-site LCD screens and a unique website, allowing students to monitor the building’s temperature, humidity, air quality, structural load, and more.

Inter-professional Learning Environment

The LEED® Platinum accredited Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE) offers 190,000 square feet of space that allows for all construction and related design programs to be housed in a single location. This inter-professional space is designed to encourage collaboration between disciplines and offer many integrated and cross-program learning opportunities for students. Learn more about Algonquin College’s focus on Apprenticeship Training.

Industry Hub

With its open demonstration spaces and many design and sustainability features, ACCE will become a natural hub for the entire trades and design industry as well as its associations. Bringing together students, professors, and researchers, with local builders and tradespeople will create synergies, increase industry awareness, and produce highly-skilled graduates who are familiar with the collaboration requirements of today’s construction and design sectors. The ACCE building is a member of the Canadian Green Building Council and is featured in this video.

Contributions & Partnerships

The $79-million ACCE building has been partly funded through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP), Community, Industry, Union and Government Partnerships, and the following contributions:
  • $35 million from the Government of Ontario
  • $35 million from the Government of Canada
  • $7 million from the Constructing our Future Capital Campaign
  • $2 million from the City of Ottawa in the value of the land donated

Opportunities

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship combines classroom study with on-the-job experience that lets you earn a living while you learn a skilled trade.

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Cooperative Education

Co-op is a partnership involving students, employers, and the College that provides students with work experience to complement their in-class training.

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Careers in Trades

A career in Skilled Trades offers a lot of rewards and personal satisfaction. Find out more information on why it might be the right career for you!

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Resources

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid team is here to provide you with support and resources over the course of your studies. We want to make your experience the best!

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Canerector Foundation Scholarship

The Canerector Foundation will generously support up to 125 Algonquin College students through the The Canerector Foundation Scholarship in the Skilled Trades.

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AC Pathways

Looking to continue your education? Get credit for your current or prior education and find an Algonquin College program that's right for you

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Contact

Academic

Maggie Cusson | Dean

ACCE & Perth Campus

phone icon 613-727-4723 ext. 5345

email icon cussonm@algonquincollege.com

General

ACCE Support

Faculty & Program Inquiries

phone icon 613-727-4723 ext. 7650

email icon acce@algonquincollege.com

Student Success

Lisa Lamb

Student Support Specialist

phone icon 613-727-4723 ext. 5196

email icon lambl@algonquincollege.com

See all ACCE departmental and program specific contact information