A general carpenter in Canada is involved in constructing, renovating and repairing works to structures made of wood, steel, or concrete with precision in a residential, commercial, construction or industrial sector. The work of a carpenter is in high demand in Canada due to the high intensity of construction. Therefore, it is important for someone who wants to become a certified carpenter in Canada to complete a quality carpentry course with apprenticeship training. This article will help you learn about all the different carpentry courses in Canada offered by different colleges and universities, the tuition fee for international students, eligibility requirements and the application process. Read on to find out more.
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Top Colleges for Carpentry Courses in Canada
The following is the list of colleges and universities that offer diploma, graduate certificate, and degree carpentry programmes in Canada:
Loyalist College – Belleville
The Loyalist College in Belleville offers a two-year diploma program in Carpentry and Renovation Technician. The graduates of this programme gain technical training in skills such as framing, base footings, and interior and exterior finish. All students gain carpentry skills through carpentry or renovation projects. The graduates of this programme can apply their carpentry skills to obtain an apprenticeship such as a general carpenter apprenticeship. Students can further increase their workforce skills through Autodesk certification exams at the Loyalist College. The program is available as both a one-year Ontario College Certificate and a two-year Ontario College Diploma. The program start date is in September, and the international student fees are around $16,468 per year.
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Fanshawe College – London
The Fanshawe College offers a two-year Carpentry and Renovation Technician diploma. Students of this program will learn through classwork and two co-op education work terms. They can take up the work terms between May and August during the first and second years. The programme is designed to train students in skills such as blueprint reading, handling tools, commercial construction practices, layout materials, estimating, etc. Students will also learn advanced skills in leadership and management. The start date for entries by both domestic and international applicants is in September, and the tuition fee is around $7800.
Conestoga College – Ontario
Conestoga College offers a two-year full-time program in Carpentry and Renovation Technician with an optional co-op education stream. The programme trains students to apply technical skills to various construction challenges. The course begins in September, and the tuition fee is around $15,925 each year. Read this LeapScholar blog to know what are the different scholarships you can apply to study in Canada.
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Southern Alberta Institute of Technology – Calgary
SAIT offers a 4-year carpenter apprenticeship program, and the tuition fee is around $1200 per year. The programme aims to teach students the different disciplines in building science, such as renovating, erecting, and repairing various types of buildings and structures made of wood, wood products, wood substitutes, steel, etc. The apprentice will work in residential, commercial or industry carpentry jobs under the supervision of a carpeting mentor and learn how to make layouts, select materials, mark materials before cutting, build house frameworks, scaffolding, etc. It also trains them to have better communication skills. This non-compulsory trade does not mandate certification to become a skilled journeyperson, but you need to be a registered apprentice to work as a carpenter.
Academy Canada
Academy Canada offers a 9-month pre-employment diploma in Carpenter. It is an accredited apprenticeship program that trains students in skills needed for a first-year apprentice. The carpentry apprenticeship includes courses such as occupational health and safety, fall protection awareness, scaffolding, communication skills, etc. Details on tuition fees can be accessed by sending a mail to the email address mentioned on the academy’s website.
Alberta Carpenters Training Centre – Alberta
The Alberta Carpenters Training Centre offers a wide range of courses varying in their duration, covering different aspects of carpeting such as ESC fall protection, scaffolding, print reading, etc. The fee for the training ranges from $30 to $50 per week, depending on the course and the duration of the study.
Manitoba Institute of Trades & Technology
The Manitoba Institute of Trades & Technology offers a 5-month full-time certificate program in carpentry. The programme trains individuals in different areas of carpentry from foundation to framing, exterior and interior finishing, etc. The course has two entries in September and January each year, and the tuition fee is around $3600. Students who successfully complete the course with an average score of 70 per cent or more will be able to take part in the apprenticeship carpentry program and become registered apprentices with 900 hours of work experience.
Eligibility Requirements for Carpentry Courses in Canada
The following are the specifications required of students applying for carpentry courses in Canada:
- Completion of Ontario Secondary School or an equivalent high school diploma from a recognised high school of the home country
- Some colleges have certain specifications, such as completion of mathematics study in high school.
- Work experience may be required by some universities.
English Language Requirements
The following are the English language proficiency requirements for an international student applying for carpentry courses in Canada:
- TOEFL (Internet-based test) Score: minimum score 79 or more
- IELTS Score: A minimum score of 6.0
- Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Score: A minimum score of 50
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Score: A minimum score of 53
- Cambridge English Test Score: A minimum overall score of 169
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Application Process
Follow the steps mentioned below for successful completion of the application process for applying to carpentry courses in Canada:
- Visit the website of your desired college or university offering carpentry courses.
- Create a new application and fill in the correct information, including personal details.
- Upload all the relevant documents, such as transcripts of previous education, proof of English language proficiency test score, etc.
- Pay the application fee and wait for the college to get back to you.
- An application reviewer will review your application and check if all the information and documents submitted meet the admission requirements for the course.
- If you meet the entrance requirements, you will receive an email with a conditional offer letter, which usually takes around two weeks.
- You can confirm your admittance to the program by paying the tuition fee.
- You can apply for a student visa and study permit after getting a confirmation letter from the college or university. Check out this LeapScholar blog on Canadian visas for Indian students to guide you through the visa application process.
- Upload a copy of your visa or study permit to your student portal to notify your college or university.
Conclusion
Pursuing carpentry courses is not easy as they involve training in many technical skills, but it is not an impossible task when you have the right guidance and training. Use this article as a guide to help you solve your doubts about carpentry courses in Canada and start your study abroad journey now. Contact our experts for further guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the jobs that a graduate of Carpentry courses in Canada can take up?
The type of job you can take up depends on your employability for the job role and the level of skill you have acquired through your years of experience doing the work in the construction industry. The employers can be general contractors, subcontractors, new home builders, woodworking shops, renovation and restoration contractors. The following are some of the job roles available to graduates of carpentry courses in Canada:
Contractor
New home builder
Renovator
Building inspector
Fine finish carpenter
Project coordinator
Estimator
You can also start your own business as an independent contractor by training in entrepreneurship and estimating.
Is it mandatory for graduates of Carpentry courses in Canada to pursue a Red Seal program?
No, a Red Seal certification is a voluntary certification that graduates of carpentry courses in Canada can apply for if they work for a small construction or carpentry company. However, large companies usually require carpenters to have this certification mandatorily to work with them.
Do graduates of Carpentry courses in Canada need certification to work?
Yes, different carpentry jobs are regulated in different provinces in Canada. It is mandatory for you to get a certification proving your skills in that specific job role for you to work in that province. Some provinces need you to have a certification only for certain positions but not others. For example, a wooden boat rebuilder needs to hold a certification or license under the Ontario regulatory body to work in Ontario, but other provinces such as Quebec or Alberta do not need a certification for the same role.
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