Sustainable Construction Management Technology

Program availability subject to funding.

Career Path:

Sustainable Construction

Occupation:

Sustainable Construction Management Technologist

Program Area:

Sustainable Construction Management Technology

Credential(s) and Certification:

Sustainable Construction Management Technology Diploma

Once in operation, the program hopes to obtain certification with the Applied Science Technologist and Technicians of British Columbia (ASTTBC) and the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB).

Offered by:

Science, Technology and Health, Okanagan College, Penticton campus

Length of Program:

Six semesters (three years). Students are recommended to complete two, three month paid co-op work terms in a construction related employment.

Who Should Apply?

The Program is designed to serve both high school graduates and those students who have been working in industry.

What Does a Sustainable Construction Management Technologist Do?

A construction manager organizes and supervises building projects including budgeting, scheduling and safety. A sustainable construction manager does so in a manner that minimizes the impact of the project on the environment and maximizes its energy efficiency.

About the Program:

The goals of the program are to educate, train and equip students such that they are able to play a leading role in the construction industry – both in Canada and internationally – to deliver projects that achieve high sustainability performance.

The program will provide students with the technical, business and interpersonal skills required to effectively manage construction projects of varying size and complexity, emphasizing sustainable design principles. Students will develop the technical knowledge and skills required to construct large infrastructure projects - from planning through to completion. Students will also learn to estimate material requirements and costs, schedule and manage construction projects, do field surveying for building layout and create structural designs of simple buildings

The program follows the Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach to influence, shape and guide the emerging generation of construction professionals. The learning objectives of the program will follow a “problem-based” approach, so that students are empowered to learn how to influence the sustainable potential and performance of projects in the industry in which many graduates will find themselves working.

This Program will Help You Develop Your Ability to:

· Manage complex schedules and budgets

· Understand materials and methods in construction

· Analyze issues from the viewpoint of sustainability and environmental impacts

· Communicate clear in oral, graphic and written forms

· Gather, organize, analyze, evaluate and communicate information, statistics and data

· Work with people from a variety of backgrounds to resolve conflicts and manage projects

Career Opportunities:

On graduation, there will be a wide choice of career opportunities as a site superintendent, general contractor, subcontractor, material supplier, field coordinator, quantity surveyor, estimator, inspector, project manager, scheduler or contract manager. The business elements of the program may also offer opportunities to establish a new construction company – that specializes in sustainable development and construction.

Potential Employers:

· Construction Companies

· Environmental Engineering Firms

· Municipalities

· Federal and Provincial Agencies

Salary Information:

On average, an entry level environmental technician earns around $34,000 annually. On average, senior technicians and principals of a firm can earn over $90,000 annually.

Economic Outlook:

In 2011, construction is expected to be a $7.5 trillion industry or roughly 13.4% of the world’s economy. Global Construction Perspectives have estimated that by 2020 construction output will grow by 70% to $12.7 trillion and represent 14.6% of the world’s economy. While construction is influenced by the general state of the world economy, it is an industry that continues to grow and increasingly the industry needs employees with a knowledge of sustainability. ECO Canada has listed Project managers within green construction as a “hot job” in high demand and the Globe Foundation’s 2010 report states that Green Building is the fastest growing sector of the construction industry growing by 6% per annum.

For More Program Information - Contact:

Michele McCready, Program Administrator

Science, Technology and Health

250.762-5445, Local 4329

For More Industry Information:

Construction Sector Council

www.careersinconstruction.ca

ECO Canada, Environmental Careers Organization

www.eco.ca

ASTTBC, Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia

www.asttbc.org

SICA, Southern Interior Construction Association

www.sica.bc.ca