Algonquin College REPORT TO NETAC ON HUMAN RESOURCE MATTERS (September, 2011)

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1 Algonquin College REPORT TO NETAC ON HUMAN RESOURCE MATTERS (September, 2011) Contact Person: Claude Brulé Dean, Faculty of Technology and Trades Algonquin College 1385 Woodroffe Avenue Ottawa, Ontario K2G 1V8 Tel: x 5958 Fax: brulec@algonquincollege.com The details included in the enclosed report are a compilation of initiatives completed and/or underway in various areas of Algonquin College working directly with the residential construction industry, including: Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (Architecture, Civil & Building Science and Construction Trades & Building Systems) Algonquin College Heritage Institute Algonquin College Corporate Training 1. SKILLED LABOUR FORCE DEVELOPMENT a. What initiatives does your organization have in place to help address the skilled labour needs of the residential construction industry? With Canada s existing and ever growing trades shortage, the new Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE) which opened on September 1, 2011, has rejuvenated local and regional interest in skilled trades training. The uniquely green, 180,000-square-foot building accommodates 600 additional students in 23 programs in construction-related skilled trades and occupations, and is a showcase for environmentally, economically and socially responsible building principles as well as an impressive living laboratory teaching environment for sustainable construction practices. See more info at the following link: Algonquin College has been training students in skilled trades for over 43 years. Out of almost 19,000 full-time students at Algonquin College, approximately 1,900 are enrolled in skilled trades programs. Algonquin offers numerous full-time programs Diploma and Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate and Certificate, and Apprenticeship tailored to the needs of the residential construction industry, including: Architectural Technician (D) Architectural Technology (Adv D) Building Construction Technician (D) Cabinetmaking and Furniture Technician (D) Carpenter (C, A) Carpentry and Joinery Heritage (D) 1

2 Civil Engineering Technology (Advanced D) Construction Carpentry Advanced Housing (D) Construction Engineering Technician (D) Construction Project Management (Graduate Cert - online and all courses gold-seal accredited) Electrician (Construction & Maintenance) (C, A) Green Architecture (Grad C) Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician (D) Masonry Heritage and Traditional (D) Plumber (C, A) Residential & ICI Air Conditioning Systems (C, A) Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic Common Core (C, A) Residential Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic (C, A) Sheet Metal Worker (C, A) Welding and Fabrication Techniques (new) Dual Credit (e.g. Introduction to Residential Construction, Wood Technology, AutoCad, Hand Tools and Machine Basics ) and Youth Apprenticeship Training e.g. carpentry, cabinetmaking. Bridging program: Internationally Trained Civil Engineering Technology (ITCET) Algonquin offers numerous part-time courses and programs tailored to the needs of the residential construction industry (a number of which are gold seal approved). Did your organization undertake any research and/or produce reports in 2010 that would help address the skilled labour needs of the residential construction industry? If yes, please attach report(s) or provide an online link. No b. Will your organization be undertaking any research and/or be producing reports in 2011 that would help address the skilled labour needs of the residential construction industry? Algonquin College participated with the Construction Sector Council, building on work done by the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum on return on training investment (ROTI), in additional research to determine how a small investment in Essential Skills of reading, document use and numeracy generates a substantial return as well. This led to the CSC creating a compendium called Tips on Introducing Essential Skills into Construction Trades Training PROFESSIONALIZATION OF THE RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY a. Does your organization offer education and training opportunities for new home builders and renovators? If so, are new home builders and renovators able to acquire specific designations? Yes. Algonquin offers a variety of professional development workshops, programs and 2

3 continuing education courses and programs, both instructor led (in-class) and online, that provide flexible options for new home builders and renovators to undertake training and development. A number of these offerings are gold seal approved. Examples include: Construction Project Management o Courses above qualify for Gold Seal Certification points for the Canadian Construction Association s Gold Seal Certification Program and/or for the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS) Construction Management Commercial Estimating Plan reading, construction methods, budgeting, contracts and documents, job cost accounting, planning and scheduling, project administration and bid procedures Algonquin College offers CIQS approved courses; online courses in partnership with the Construction Sector Council in project management, construction law and communication, negotiation and conflict resolution Gas Technician 1 and 2 and 3 (Technical Standards Safety Authority certification) Home Inspection (delivered in collaboration with Carson Dunlop and Associates and in cooperation with the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI) and incorporates the Standards of Practice of the ASHI / CAHPI. This program can lead to a Registered Home Inspectors designation) Apprenticeship Training in the trades listed above in 1(a) are part of the requirements for achievement of the Ontario Certificate of Apprenticeship and can lead to successful acquisition of a Certificate of Qualification (Red Seal) Building Environmental Systems Operator Class 1 and Class 2 Blueprint Reading Carpentry Interior Finishing and Trim Carpentry Layout and Foundations Carpentry Framing, Sheathing and Insulation (pre-apprenticeship) Construction Method Construction Planning and Scheduling Construction Safety Drafting Project Monitoring Residential Estimating Residential Plan Reading and Construction Methods Algonquin College is a member of the GOHBA Builder Trade Council s. Algonquin delivers a series of professional workshops for the homebuilding industry at the Algonquin College Corporate Training Centre, including: Construction Leadership and Supervision Management Skills for Administrative Professionals Project Management: Introduction to Managing Projects Project Management: Contracting and Procurement 3

4 Managing Multiple Priorities Win-Win Negotiation MS Office Suite 2010 New courses and workshops will continue to be introduced based on identified priorities in consultation with GOHBA, its members, committees and councils. b. Has your organization taken Canadian Home Builders Association s National Benchmark for New Home Builders and Renovators into consideration when updating your courses? Yes c. Did your organization undertake any research or produce reports in 2010 related to the professionalization of the residential construction industry? If yes, please attach the report(s) or provide an online link. No. d. Will your organization be undertaking any research and/or produce reports in 2011 related to the professionalization of the residential construction industry? No 3. COURSE DELIVERY AND DEVELOPMENT a. What steps are you taking to address the specific skill needs of the residential construction industry? Algonquin College is ensuring that there is applicable content in our existing and future programs. The decision to build the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence is a central part of Algonquin s strategy to become a leader in construction programming and skills training. As just one example, the Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (HRAC) program cluster is an important component of this strategic direction as it serves many local and national industry groups. In addition, programs in this cluster are important to achieving reductions in greenhouse gasses and protecting our environment; goals that reinforce Algonquin s commitment to environmental sustainability. Other key activities include: Ongoing industry representation on program advisory committees to provide our programs direction and keep them current with evolving skill needs. Ongoing industry consultation as our College reviews and modifies curriculum that will be delivered in the new Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence Continuing to work in close collaboration with GOHBA, as Chair of Builder Trade Council s Training and Development Sub-Committee to identify training needs Continuing to work in close collaboration with CHBA and NETAC to identify labour force skill needs and issue in the residential construction industry, training/program delivery issues and best practices for trades, first-level supervisors and new home builders and renovators Ongoing development and delivery of full-time, part-time programs, courses, and indemand professional workshops to support the specific training development needs of the residential construction industry. 4

5 b. What education and training activities took place, or will take place, in 2011? See 1(a) c. What education and training activities are scheduled to take place in 2011? See 1(a) d. Are you in the process of developing new courses for residential trades and/or other careers in the residential construction industry? The Ontario Ministry of Training has introduced a new Residential Sheet Metal trade. Algonquin College is currently applying to deliver this training as a complement to our already successful Sheet Metal apprenticeship training program. In addition, the College also plans to offer a Cabinet Making apprenticeship training program to complement our existing highly-subscribed Furniture Technician diploma program. The latest construction-related curriculum development project underway at Algonquin College has been the planning and design of a Bachelor of Building Science program that promises to adopt an innovative and exciting approach to building science-related education and to provide a wealth of applied research and cooperative placement opportunities. Graduates will be exceptionally versatile and fully equipped to assume leadership roles in both the commercial and residential construction sectors. The associated program proposal is currently awaiting Post-Secondary Education Quality Assessment Board (PEQAB) approval and is expected to launch in September, Algonquin College is also pursuing new programming in the future that will build upon our interprofessional opportunities created by our move to the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence. 4. WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY a. Is your organization taking steps to help address workplace health and safety in relation to the residential construction industry? If so, what are they? We have embedded health and safety courses in all our construction-related programs and apprenticeship training. Algonquin College also offers Occupational Health and Safety Training including fire protection, management labour concerns and environmental management. 5