Certificate Overview

How can you enter or advance in this exciting, high-growth field? This certificate provides all fundamentals of construction administration. Develop and expand your managerial skills in courses developed and approved by U of A and accredited by the Canadian Construction Association for Gold Seal Accreditation.

If you seek a career change in the construction field, this program will help you gain knowledge essential to succeed in the field.

If you currently work in any of the following professions and are seeking a competitive edge, this certificate will greatly increase your ability to compete:

• construction industry
• project management
• design
• manufacturing and supply
• development
• real estate

This program builds your understanding of the planning, technical, financial, and legal aspects of the construction business.

Qualifying for admission

You are eligible for admission into the program if you have a high school diploma and two years related experience.

Core competencies of our graduates

• Effectively manage all facets of construction projects large and small and tackle the challenges they will face on-site
• Effectively deliver projects, plan, and manage schedules, staff, and budgets
• Become familiar with the numerous legal aspects of construction, from elements of a contract and managing contracts to real estate law and land development regulation
• Perform cost-planning and budget analysis for building designs
• Estimate and control costs, prepare bids, and minimize change orders
• Manage work with subcontractors, clients, suppliers, architects, engineers, government agencies, and others
• Develop strategies to manage work flow and quality
• Perform negotiations and use conflict resolution strategies and methods
• Analyze projects for constructability and implement innovative solutions

Why a U of A Certificate?

• “Construction Managers is one of the occupations ‘under pressure’ and in demand in Alberta.”
  — Alberta’s Occupational Demand and Supply Outlook: 2007 - 2017

• Our instructors are construction professionals with practical experience in construction management, law, accounting, insurance, and consulting. They use case studies to bring theoretical principles down to earth.

• Our program advisers are leading members of the business community with first-hand experience in the construction industry. They advise the Faculty of Extension on issues and trends, and they provide valuable insights into training needs from the employers’ perspective.

Testimonials
“The program proved to be valuable and provided training that assisted me in becoming a successful project manager. This program has the potential to jump start a profitable, rewarding career in this continually changing field. I helped me to more effectively deal with contractors, engineers and others in the construction industry. I would strongly recommend this program to anyone seeking advancement in the construction field.” full »
Daren Yaremko
Senior Mechanical Systems Coordinator, Edmonton Public Schools
CST Certificate Program Graduate

“Project management is artwork, and an artist first needs a strong foundation in education. This program was recommended to me by former students, and I found that it offered the interesting and important subject matter I needed without an unbearable workload. I’d strongly recommend taking the Construction Administration program; you will get nothing other than positives in return.”
Jim Mitchell
Vice President, Risk Management
CST Certificate Program Graduate

Student Awards

Edmonton Construction Association - Highest GPA Award

Each year, a $1000 cash award is provided by the Edmonton Construction Association to the student who graduates with the highest grade point average in the Construction Administration Certificate Program.

Program Advisory Committee

The Construction Administration Certificate Program Advisory Committee was formed to guide the direction of the program. The committee includes interested and knowledgeable educators from the University of Alberta, community professionals, representatives from the private sector, and students.

Program Advisors from the Industry

S. M. AbourRizk; Yasser Mohamed, Ming Zuo, Dean Charleson, Brent Field, Gregory Payoe, Syed Abbas, Richard Knutton

• Aslan Bouzaid, TransAlta
• Brad Wright, Vice President, Merit
• Gray Holrody, Edmonton Public School Board
• Heidi Harris-Jensen, Director of External Affairs Alberta
• Paul Verhesen, President, Clark Builders; Director, Edmonton Construction Association
• Lisa M. Langford, GENIVAR
• Vivian Manasc, Principal, Manasc Isaac
• John Droog, Senior Project Manager, PCL Construction Management Inc

Program Instructors

• Peter Semchuk
• Bruce Smith

Friends of our Program

• Aecon
• Alberta Construction Safety Association
• Bantrel
• Chinook Drilling, Total Energy Services Ltd
• Clark Builders
• ConocoPhillips
• Core Laboratories
• Edmonton Construction Association
• Jacobs
• IPEX Inc
• Manasc Isaac
• Manufacturers’ Health & Safety Association
• North American Construction Group
• Northlands
• Parkland County
• PCL Constructors Inc
• Pembina Pipeline
• Penn West Energy
• Rockliff Pierzchajlo Architects & Planners Ltd
• Sanjel Corporation
• SaskPower
• Sturgeon County
• Syncrude Canada Ltd
• Tailsman Energy
• TransAlta
• Trican Well Service
• UFA Co-operative Limited