COMPANY EXPERIENCE PROGRAM LEADING TOWARDS EMPLOYMENT FOR ARCHITECTS AND BUILDING DESIGNERS

INTRODUCTION

Architecture, building blueprints and interior design applied to the sector of residential and commercial construction in Quebec require good knowledge of the materials available on the market, the practical work techniques in the construction sector and the codes and standards of labor and construction in Quebec. These standards and construction techniques are very different from those used abroad and briefly taught in colleges and local universities. With this practical experience candidates will learn to meet the demands of SMEs through experience and practical projects in a company under the supervision of an engineer and general contractor and by working closely with experts in architecture and building design in Quebec.

The tasks of an architect, technologist, architectural draftsman or interior designer in an SME are not generally limited to making drawings. The candidate must be able to play various roles, such as the one of: representative, draftsman, estimator, designer, manager and administrator of projects and staff. This program aims to expose job seekers in the field of architecture and building design in SMEs, to the real working environment so that they become aware of the issues, customs, and technical practices while developing their talents in human relations in the construction industry in Quebec.

THIS PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN A COMPANY WILL ALLOW TO:

• Know drawing software such as Autocad and SketchUp and also to develop greater ease, assurance and speed in design to do the assembly of complete projects in 2D and 3D, including: maps, renderings, presentation prospects. This as much in architecture as in design and structure of residential and commercial projects in Quebec;
• Better master the National Building Code (NBC);
• Know Indesign software for editing reports and project presentations;
• Become familiar with the requests of residential renovation permits;
• Know how to use certain instruments and measurement systems in the practice of the working environment of the construction industry in Quebec;
• Better understand the dynamics of human and professional exchanges in the Quebec workplace to improve one’s skills, attitudes and behavior;
• Develop and gain self-confidence as much by individual work as in a team in a company. This being used for interviews with concrete examples of local experiences to tell future employers;
• Better understand the needs and challenges that face employers in Quebec and therefore know how to meet them to get a job;
• Recognize and perform varied general tasks practised by all, for the good functioning of an SME and of a project: administration, keeping an office in good order and clean, taking measurements at the work site, execution of plans , structural analysis, customer relations, project presentation, research and use of reference manuals for timber-frame construction, etc. ;
• Practise and improve one’s communication skills in English and French with customers, subcontractors and entrepreneurs in Quebec;
• Better know how to present oneself and communicate with the workers and professionals of the construction industry in Quebec;
• Meet business and construction professionals and increase one’s contact network.

Objectives :

• Provide more resources, credibility and efficiency to the job search by participating in real projects and practices within a business and by being supported and promoted by a company and professionals working in Quebec, Canada;
• Find a job by:
  • gaining practical experience in Quebec and Canada which is required by future employers;
  • obtaining a letter of appreciation and reference of a business executive when the candidate has performed well;
  • increasing one’s network of contacts by getting to know professionals, entrepreneurs and employers in the workplace and by participating in projects with them instead of just seeking externally;
• Know the reality of the practical work environment, the issues, methods and practices in order to guide one’s choice of career. Also to learn to know oneself better with one’s qualities to improve and defects to correct in relation to the workplace in Quebec, Canada;
• Know and learn to use certain work tools, measures and drawing, construction, architecture, engineering and other software;
• Practise French and English in the workplace.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Immigrant professionals, junior architects, graduates without experience in Quebec in interior design or drawing of buildings in search of relevant practical work experience to get a job according to one’s career ambitions or to work as a self-employed entrepreneur or start a business.

TRAINERS:

Daniel Dargis, Eng., general contractor and the supervising managers in architecture and building design.