Heritage Carpentry and Joinery

A program that rises above - pursue a career restoring the past for future generations.

  • Heavy focus on custom building and fabrication skills in both carpentry and millworking allowing graduates to pursue high end traditional construction plus heritage conservation
  • Access to a state-of-the-art facility, tool lending library, a network of conservation partnered projects (National Capital Commission, Parks Canada and the Town of Perth)
  • More than 950 hours of hands on applied learning along the theme of working with your hands, head and heart which is the definition of artistry

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 Diploma (2 Years)

Program Delivery

Program Code

Area of Interest

Construction and Skilled Trades

School

Algonquin College Heritage Institute

Campus

Perth

Work Integrated Learning

The two-year Heritage Carpentry and Joinery Ontario College Diploma program provides you with skills and knowledge related to the preservation, renovation and restoration of historical architecture. Through theoretical and hands-on learning, you study various topics, including:...(read more)

Overview

A program that rises above - pursue a career restoring the past for future generations.

The two-year Heritage Carpentry and Joinery Ontario College Diploma program provides you with skills and knowledge related to the preservation, renovation and restoration of historical architecture. Through theoretical and hands-on learning, you study various topics, including:

  • traditional joinery
  • timber framing
  • log building
  • carpentry techniques
  • architectural millwork
  • staircasing
  • window and door repair

Absorb the traditions of old-world craftsmanship through both theory and practice. Experience over 800 hours of hands-on learning during the program.

You graduate with skills that set you apart from graduates of other carpentry programs. Algonquin College`s program places an emphasis on wood as a material and the role of buildings and their architectural components. You construct buildings and building components from locally-harvested and market-sourced lumber and timber. The crafting of these projects from beginning to end provides an engaging and satisfying educational experience.

Upon graduation, you are ready to work in heritage carpentry, and in the high-end custom carpentry and millwork industries. Opportunities are available in both private and public sectors.

Some graduates may prefer freelance work, while others will take positions in commercial or residential carpentry or millwork companies, or follow the traditional apprenticeship route.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

  • Are passionate about craftsmanship.
  • Have a desire to work with their hands.
  • Like to problem solve.
  • Are self-motivated, inquisitive, creative and ambitious.
  • Have an appreciation for wood and built heritage and architecture.

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 are prepared to produce the high-quality work demanded in the growing field of Heritage Carpentry, as well as the custom carpentry and millwork industries. Opportunities are available in both private and public sectors. Some graduates may prefer freelance work while others will take positions in commercial or residential carpentry or millworking companies. Those who decide to follow a traditional apprenticeship route find themselves in an advantageous position as a graduate due to the unique foundation of skills and knowledge acquired.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Develop and use strategies for ongoing professional development to remain current with industry changes, enhance work performance and explore career opportunities.
  2. Comply with health and safety practices and procedures in accordance with current legislation and regulations.
  3. Apply conservation techniques in accordance with the Ontario and National Building Codes, and in adherence to the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada.
  4. Communicate and collaborate with diverse clients, supervisors, coworkers and tradespersons to complete projects on time and to maintain effective working relationships.
  5. Solve problems related to the implementation of built heritage, joinery and millwork artifacts and custom carpentry projects by applying the principles of basic technical mathematics and building design.
  6. Research, select, maintain and safely use hand tools, power tools and materials when performing traditional and contemporary carpentry, joinery and millwork craft.
  7. Research and record architectural elements to support and communicate accurate and appropriate historical representations of built heritage.
  8. Monitor the progression of built heritage, custom carpentry and millwork projects by applying basic principles and strategies of project management and conservation.
  9. Apply basic business principles and strategies to the operation of a building construction and/or renovation enterprise.
  10. Perform duties using specialized skillset related to carpentry and joinery in the fields of heritage conservation, high quality residential building and timber frame and log construction.
  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:

  • Books and academic supplies cost approximately $1,000 in the first year and $400 in the second year.
  • In addition, students are required to purchase trade-specific personal protective equipment and tools at a cost of $800-$1,500 in the first year and $300-$500 in the second year.
  • Students are advised not to purchase tools before attending class.
  • Students are required to have safety footwear and eye and ear protection on the first day of classes.

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 12 (MAP4C 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

HERITAGE CARPENTRY AND JOINERY
Program Code 0530X01FPT

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 admission 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 applying from out-of-country can obtain the International Student Application Form at https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/ or by contacting the Registrar`s Office.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar`s Office
Algonquin College Heritage Institute
7 Craig Street
Perth, ON K7H 1X7
Local: 613-267-2859
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 1-866-620-3845
Fax: 613-267-3950
www.algonquincollege.com/perth

Additional Information

Program Resources

Part-time students may be considered if space is available.

The Heritage Carpentry and Joinery program is a physically demanding program of study. Students can expect to spend extended blocks of time in both shop and outdoor environments with controlled exposure to noise and dust.

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