Residential Construction Foundations Program

Purpose

As with most trades, there is a shortage of qualified entry-level/apprentice carpenters to meet the current and projected need due to an aging workforce. This program meets the need of the residential construction industry by providing students with the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to seek employment as an apprentice carpenter.

The Residential Construction program introduces students to all aspects of the trades including the use of hand tools, portable power tools and other equipment used by carpenters. Through the construction of a residential wood-frame project students are given the opportunity to work with a variety of materials used by carpenters including lumber, panel products, concrete, fasteners and hardware. The focus is on developing practical skills for the construction workplace.

Goals

The program was prepared with the advice and assistance of the Industry Training Authority and their associates. General areas of competency and associated learning tasks have been identified by industry and examples are provided below. Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

• Use applicable sections of the OHS Regulation and WCB Standards;


• Describe general safety rules and apply safety practices;


• Identify the different types and uses of drawings;


• Describe the alphabet of lines, symbols and abbreviations used in drawings;


• Demonstrate skills in the use of drafting tools and materials used for drawing plans;


• Interpret engineered floor system documentation and truss drawings;


• Use various hand tools including levels, squares, and handsaws;


• Describe and apply the safe use of electric power tools, including portable saws, drills, and grinders;


•  Identify common errors that contribute to incorrect measures;


• Record elevations using levelling instruments;


• Calculate and construct wall forms and concrete details, including residential structure foundations;


• Describe the terms used in platform frame construction and general characteristics and advantages of using wood for framing;


• Calculate quantities and costs of framing lumber;


• Install sill plates, beams, pony walls, floor joists, bridging, and floor sheathing;


• Describe Building Code requirements for stairs and balustrades;


• Calculate stair dimensions and quantities of materials;


• Build stairs; and


• Demonstrate an understanding of forces acting on the building structure and the use of wood frame seismic applications.

Activities & Design

This program provides students with the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to seek employment as an apprentice carpenter in the construction industry. The program introduces students to all aspects of the trades including the use of hand tools, portable power tools and other equipment used by carpenters. Through the construction of a residential wood-frame project students are given the opportunity to work with a variety of materials used by carpenters including lumber, panel products, concrete, fasteners and hardware. The focus is on developing practical skills for the construction workplace.

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will receive Level 1 technical training credit and 450 work-based -hours credit towards completion of the Carpenter Level 1 apprenticeship program.

Program Duration

The Residential Construction Foundations program is 24 weeks (900 hours) in length.

Evaluation

Theoretical concepts may be evaluated by written exams, assignments, case studies, presentations, and/or completion of a journal. Practical performance is assessed by instructor observations of students in work experience and field situations, and is based on mid-term and/or final evaluations. All courses are evaluated consistent with the NVIT Grading System.

Students are assessed based on an 80% in-school percentage score and 20% Standard Level Exam percentage score. For more information, please refer to: https://www.itabc.ca/sites/default/files/docs/OPSN-2017-017-Carpenter-Harmonized-Level-1-SLE-Launch_1.pdf

Credential

Students receive an NVIT Residential Construction Foundations Program certificate upon successful completion of the program. Graduates will also receive the Carpenter Foundation – Certificate of Completion from the Industry Training Authority.

Individuals who complete the ITA Carpentry Foundation program, with a minimum of 70% on the Level One Carpentry Final Exam, will receive the following credit toward completion of the Carpenter apprenticeship program:

• Technical Training: Level 1


• Work-Based Training: 450 hours

Entrance Requirements

• B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for at least one year as of the first day of classes.


• One of: English 10, English 10 First Peoples, an equivalent Provincial Level Adult Basic Education English course, or equivalent assessment.


• Math requirement: Students graduating from secondary school in or prior to 2012: Mathematics 11 or an equivalent Advanced Level Adult Basic Education Mathematics course, or an equivalent assessment. Students entering Grade 10 in or after 2010 and/or completing the new mathematics curriculum: One of: Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11 or, Pre-Calculus 11, or an equivalent Advanced Level Adult Basic Education Mathematics course or an equivalent assessment.

Partnerships

NVIT works with the Industry Training Authority (ITA), Okanagan College, and School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen).

Course Listing for this program