The Native Residential Construction Worker Apprenticeship program has been designed to provide training to First Nations workers in all aspects of residential construction. Upon completion of the program, these journeypersons are trained for careers in construction.

Residential construction workers assist skilled trade persons in support of a construction project. They further perform labour activities at the construction site, including: loading and unloading construction materials and moving materials to work areas, reading and interpreting blueprints, plans and sketches, performing basic welding, formwork and foundations, framing, interior and exterior finishing.

They are knowledgeable in safety and building code, and can proficiently operate power tools.

The program also features a component on construction management in order to allow future occupational opportunities in supervisory or entrepreneurial roles.

Apprenticeship Duration

2 – 3 years

The Native Residential Construction Worker Apprenticeship is based on competencies through demonstrated skills rather than on a fixed number of hours on the job; however, the benchmark is 4,000 hours.

The apprenticeship is completed when the apprentice has achieved competency in all of the on-the-job performance objectives and when all levels of in-school training have been successfully completed.

Educational Requirement

Grade 12 or equivalency

In-school Training

Northern College offers the two levels of theory training required for the Native Residential Construction Worker Apprenticeship program.

Training is currently delivered in full-time, block format and is community-based.
Both Level 1 and Level 2 are 240 hours each.

In-school training includes:

• Blueprint Reading
• Framing (floors, walls and roof)
• Formwork and Foundations
• Site Preparation
• Safety
• Interior Finishing
• Exterior Finishing
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Construction Management

For program information: