Carpentry and Renovation Techniques

Construct your future.

  • Enjoy a more personalized learning environment with our small classes
  • Benefit from supportive and experienced faculty who are active in their industry
  • Gain the latest and best industry-specific knowledge and skills to be career-ready upon graduation

Program Availability and Schedule

Availability

Open

Closed

Waitlisted

Start Term

Availability

International
Availability

Competitive?

Fall 2025

No

Schedule

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Program Summary

Credential

Ontario College Certificate (1 Year)

Program Delivery

Program Code

Area of Interest

Construction and Skilled Trades

School

Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley

Campus

Pembroke

The one-year Carpentry and Renovation Techniques Ontario College Certificate program prepares you for a future in construction, whether you pursue apprenticeship training, employment as a framer or finisher or simply want to tackle a few projects around the house.

You acquire a well-rounded education, combining traditional carpentry skills with newer technologies. Algonquin College`s Waterfront Campus in Pembroke is a great place to learn, as you have access to high-quality tools in a state-of-the-art shop....(read more)

Overview

Construct your future.

The one-year Carpentry and Renovation Techniques Ontario College Certificate program prepares you for a future in construction, whether you pursue apprenticeship training, employment as a framer or finisher or simply want to tackle a few projects around the house.

You acquire a well-rounded education, combining traditional carpentry skills with newer technologies. Algonquin College`s Waterfront Campus in Pembroke is a great place to learn, as you have access to high-quality tools in a state-of-the-art shop.

Gain knowledge and skills in:

  • hand and power tool usage
  • carpentry/framing techniques
  • blueprint reading
  • welding
  • hoisting and rigging
  • plumbing
  • applied construction geometry
  • mathematics
  • the Ontario Building Code
  • general and specific safety training

Throughout this physically demanding program, explore the latest green technology and energy-efficient construction techniques. Apply your construction skills to building projects that will help local communities.

There is an anticipated shortage of skilled workers in the construction industry as a result of an aging workforce and local expansion. That means there are many opportunities for employment available to graduates. With this certificate, you may pursue a specialized education in construction, or seek exemption from the Basic Level of the General Carpenter Apprenticeship training.

Graduates may find work as a(n):

  • apprentice carpenter
  • construction framer
  • interior systems installer
  • exterior systems applicator
  • renovator
  • door and window installer
  • concrete form worker
  • deck and porch designer/builder
  • junior construction site supervisor
  • junior estimator

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

  • Are interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades.
  • Are team-oriented, enjoy physical labour and working outdoors.
  • Have effective communication skills and interpersonal abilities.
  • Are safety conscious and respectful of standards and regulations.
  • Possess problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
  • Enjoy working with mathematical problems.

Courses

Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with virtual learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.

Careers & Pathways

Careers

Graduates may find employment as apprentice carpenters, construction framers, interior systems installers, exterior systems applicators, renovators, door and window installers, concrete form workers, deck and porch design/builders, junior construction site supervisors or junior estimators.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Identify and use strategies to enhance work performance and continued learning to keep pace with industry changes.
  2. Identify and adhere to established health and safety practices that apply to specific job sites, in accordance with current legislation and regulations.
  3. Perform building construction and renovation tasks in compliance with contracts, the Ontario and/or National Building Codes, applicable laws and industry`s ethical practices.
  4. Work in accordance with established sustainability practices.
  5. Communicate and collaborate with diverse clients, supervisors and tradespersons to complete projects on time and to maintain effective working relationships.
  6. Assist with maintaining accurate project documents and use computer technologies to support building construction and renovation projects.
  7. Solve on-site trade-related building and renovation problems by applying principles of basic technical mathematics and building science.
  8. Select, maintain and safely operate hand tools, and portable and stationary power tools, to efficiently complete building construction and renovation tasks.
  9. Assist with the completion of building and renovation stages, from site layout and footings to the application of interior and exterior finishes, according to specifications.
  10. Assist in the preparation of material estimations according to building construction and renovation project documents.
  11. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Tuition & Fees

Get an idea of how much each semester will cost with our Tuition and Fee Estimator.

2024/2025 Academic Year

Tuition and related ancillary fees for this program can be viewed by using the Tuition and Fees Estimator tool at www.algonquincollege.com/fee-estimator.

Further information on fees can be found by visiting the Registrar`s Office website at www.algonquincollege.com/ro.

Fees are subject to change.

Additional program related expenses include:

  • Textbooks, supplies and safety equipment cost approximately $900. Textbooks are available in both hardcover and e-text versions.
  • For more information and associated fees, please visit: www.algonquincollege.com/coursematerials.

Admissions Requirements

All applicants must satisfy both College Eligibility and Program Eligibility requirements.

College Eligibility

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. Applicants with an OSSD showing senior English and/or Mathematics courses at the Basic Level, or with Workplace or Open courses, will be tested to determine their eligibility for admission; OR
  • Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate; OR
  • General Educational Development (GED) certificate; OR
  • Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing for which a fee will be charged.

Program Eligibility

  • English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent).
  • Mathematics, Grade 11 (MBF3C or equivalent).
  • Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject-specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
  • IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT) Overall 80, with a minimum of 20 in each component: Reading 20; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 20; OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 110, minimum of 110 in Literacy and no score below 95.

Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English and mathematics.

Application Information

CARPENTRY AND RENOVATION TECHNIQUES
Program Code 1519X01FPM

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should notify their Guidance Office prior to their online application at www.ontariocolleges.ca.

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants please visit this link for application process information: https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar`s Office
Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley
1 College Way
Pembroke, ON K8A0C8
Local: 613-735-4700
Toll-free 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 1-866-620-3845 Fax: 613-735-4739
https://algonquincollege.com/pembroke

Additional Information

Program Resources

Graduates who become registered as apprentice carpenters may be eligible to apply for Advanced Standing for the classroom portion of their apprenticeship training. Graduates may also be eligible to apply for Advanced Standing in Algonquin College`s Building Construction Technician or Heritage Carpentry and Joinery program.

Contact

Adam Johns

Program Coordinator

johnsa@algonquincollege.com

613-735-4700, ext. 2687

Room 321

View Bio

Adam Johns

Program Coordinator

johnsa@algonquincollege.com

613-735-4700, ext. 2687

My 10-plus years of work in the trades has made me a bit of a workhorse who strives in a constantly shifting and fast-paced environment. This, as many teachers would agree, is exactly the environment we work in every day. I believe in giving back to our community. For the last several years, our classes participate in a variety of building projects for our community. We have built an obstacle for the Cancer Society’s Git’Er Done Mud Run, which took place at Wilderness Tours. We’ve done picnic tables for the City of Pembroke, 30-plus feet of dock for the rowing club, rebuilt the benches for our waterfront boardwalk and completed our first timber frame project (an 8’ x 10’ pavilion) for Little Lakes Park in Beachburg. I also belong to the Renfrew County Home Builders Association, where local contractors and business owners meet to discuss the industry. In the future, I’d very much like to create projects that can continue to help our local communities, but in bigger and better ways.

I believe the most important thing that faculty can pass on to our students is to stay safe while working in the industry, and to always make sure to do the job right the first time. Completely avoidable workplace injuries happen all too often in the trades. We’re working very hard to teach our students how to identify dangerous situations and how to handle those situations on the job site. We train our students to take pride in their work and do our best to show them the advantages of creating something that will not only look fantastic but will hold up to the test of time.

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