Introduction to Construction Management

In this course, you will learn to develop an effective framework for monitoring and evaluating construction projects using widely accepted industry methodologies, along with sustainable and equitable management practices. While the course is designed for individuals with experience in the construction sector who wish to expand their skills, prior experience is not a requirement. However, for optimal success, it is recommended but not mandatory, that participants have one of the following: three to five years of experience in the construction sector; a Red Seal in a construction-related field; or a certificate or diploma from a recognized construction-related program.

The student will learn how to:

• Describe the phases of a construction project from initiation to close-out and identify the documents and processes used during each phase
• Develop an effective framework to monitor and evaluate a construction project using accepted industry methodology and sustainable and equitable management practices
• Identify the documents and processes used during each construction phase
• Discuss your responsibility to follow pertinent safety legislation and training standards
• Understand construction planning and preparation of a Project Schedule for a construction project
• Understand the financial management aspects of a construction project by identifying the tools and standard practices used to manage and communicate internal and external financial aspects of a project
• Describe the environmental impacts of the construction industry and the emerging tools and strategies to monitor and reduce these impacts
• Discuss other topics pertinent to construction management

Assessments will include a practical demonstration of the competencies outlined in each module and will be aligned with NSCC’s curriculum development and assessment processes, including validation by industry.

For example, learners will be asked to: 

• Create a simulated build submission including a project schedule 
• Create a simulated build proposal including a project schedule for a residential build

Canada’s residential, commercial, and institutional buildings account for 18% of our national greenhouse gas emissions and thus shifting new construction to net zero standards and retrofitting existing buildings will be a major contributor to creating low carbon communities. To affirm this shift, the Pan-Canadian Framework currently has signatories committed to the development of a national code for existing buildings and by 2030, Canadians should expect a national retrofit code. Further, the Canadian Green Retrofit Economy Study completed in 2021 by the Delphi Group found that the green building workforce will need to more than triple by 2030 to meet demand for sustainable building construction and renovation. In response, key occupations such as estimators and construction coordinators are needed to support the transition to a low carbon economy. 

Ultimately, the Construction Management microcredential curriculum will develop the required literacy to support this transition by introducing learners to the concepts of embodied carbon, life cycle analysis, and emissions reductions. This knowledge will be foundational to the future of the sector and its ability to respond to the needs of a changing climate.