Program Information

Construction Management involves managing, estimating, and scheduling of residential, industrial, commercial and institutional construction projects. Talented managers know how to avoid costly delays, control a project’s scope and maximize resources and existing budgets.

The first two terms of the two-year Construction Project Management, Ontario College Graduate Certificate includes specific, practical education through a combination of management skills in construction with an emphasis on estimating, scheduling, procurement and cost control, combined with best practices in construction safety, quality management, legal documentation, and contracts. The third term curriculum concentrates on common skills necessary in project management. The final semester solidifies classroom learning through an applied project or co-operative education work term.

Graduates will also gain effective communication skills to work with all levels of personnel in the construction industry. These skills will help prepare them for more responsible jobs in the construction sector.

Fall 2023 Delivery Format

Term 1 classes will be delivered in person and students will be required to be on campus for the duration of the term. The 2023 Fall term begins on September 6. However, to allow for travel delays, classes will be remote until September 16. Students must be on campus to join in-person classes starting September 18, 2023.


This Lambton College program is licensed to and delivered by Cestar College (PDF), a licensed private career college in Toronto, Ontario. Students that are registered at Lambton in Toronto are students of a public college and as such, will receive full credit from Lambton College for all Lambton College courses completed at the Cestar College campus in Toronto. Students who meet program graduation requirements will graduate with a credential from Lambton College. Students may be scheduled to have classes on Saturdays.

See Course List

Admission Requirements

A university degree in a construction-related field such as architectural technology, construction engineering technology, civil engineering technology, civil engineering or architectural studies.


The admissions process is competitive and meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.

Lambton College reserves the right to alter information including admission requirements and to cancel at any time a program or course; to change the location and/or term in which a program or course is offered; to change the program curriculum as necessary to meet current competencies or changes in the job market; to change the pathways third-party certification bodies; or to withdraw an offer of admission both prior to and after its acceptance by an applicant or student because of insufficient applications or registrations or over-acceptance of offers of admission. In the event Lambton College exercises such a right, Lambton College’s sole liability will be the return of monies paid by the applicant or student to Lambton College.

English Language Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate language proficiency by submitting one of the following scores:

  • IELTS of 6.5
    - or -
    IELTS of 6.0 + Completion of EAP-3106 (English for Academic Purposes) during first term of study.
  • TOEFL iBT 79
    -or-
    TOEFL 70 + Completion of EAP-3106 (English for Academic Purposes) during first term of study.
  • Passed Lambton Institute of English placement test 

Please Note: IELTS is the only proficiency score accepted by the Study Direct Stream (SDS) program. Additional country-specific requirements may also be applicable.

Meeting the minimum English requirements does not guarantee admission. Students with higher English proficiency scores will receive priority in the admission assessment process.

Not all students will qualify for EAP-3106 in place of the required IELTS or TOEFL test scores.


Technology Requirements

In order to keep pace with the requirements of each and every course in your program, it is mandatory to own a reliable laptop to complete tests and assignments.

Course List

CON-1003: Construction Methods, Materials and Codes

In this course, students are introduced to construction methods, materials and codes depending on project requirements. This course includes the study of the production, characteristics, and application of construction materials including sustainable practices, specific building codes, safety regulations, ecological regulations. Students become familiar with residential electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and fire suppression systems. This course builds competency in effectively communicating with various contractors.

CON-1013: Construction Job Site Management I

In this course, students are introduced to project organization, time management, and coordination, while learning to develop a meaningful and successful relationship with architects, engineers, owners, and other trades. Case studies are utilized throughout the course so that students can formulate and devise strategies and solution to evolving situations. Students are provided with opportunities to develop skills and recognize factors that affect construction schedules and site planning.

CON-1023: Blueprint Reading and Drafting

In this course students learn how to read and interpret blueprints and specifications. Students will develop skills at manual architectural drafting and be introduced to various computer assisted drafting and blueprint viewing software.

COM-3013: Professional Communications

This course is designed for international students with diplomas or degrees. It focuses on polishing communications skills acquired through one's academic career and workplace experience. Through various business writing and speaking scenarios, students learn Canadian business practices and communication styles. Close attention is paid to proper incorporation of the intellectual property of others to ensure academic integrity. Students will practice organized and dynamic speaking and will strive for polished business documents.

CON-1053: Construction Estimation

Students develop skills to estimate based on blueprints and specifications. Students will perform quantity take-offs, apply material costs and perform labour calculations for an industrial/commercial/institutional construction project. General expenses, site work, heavy construction and tender documents are also examined in this course

EPM-1113: Project Management: Overview and Context

In this course, the student is introduced to project management fundamentals and core concepts providing an understanding of the various project life cycles and processes. This course explores the Project Management Institute website and what it has to offer in terms of certifications, practice guides and the reference site. The student will learn about different certifications available demonstrating effort and commitment to the profession. The newest version of the PMBOK Guide and the Standard for Project Management will be the focus laying a sound foundation for all future program courses. Upon completion the students will be aware of several common project management terms, the project management framework, and the profession itself. The student will have experienced team building and teamwork by applying case study assignments to demonstrate their learnings.

CON-1102: Construction Safety

This course will focus on the fundamental concepts of the Occupational Health and Safety Act with specific reference to federal and provincial legislation. Leaners will identify and recognize workplace responsibilities, health issues, hazard concerns, controls, and WHMIS. Learners will construct scaffold systems and demonstrate ladder safety. Hoisting and rigging will also be studied extensively.

CON-2013: Construction Job Site Management II

In this course, students learn the bidding procedure in order to select contractors, submittal process, the development of a project budget and schedule, how to control a construction project in terms of schedule and cost, the importance and process of subcontracting, quality management, progress payments and how to close a construction project. Students use the techniques of project control, using detailed case studies.

CON-2023: Advanced Blueprint Reading and Drafting

Students discover how to interpret complex blueprints and specifications. Students develop and interpret information in order to create their own drawings of various objects. Students will develop a set of blueprints for a small commercial project using Computer assisted drafting.

CON-2033: Construction Contracts and Laws

Students are introduced to principles of contract law as they relate to the construction industry. The various types of contracts and bidding documents and standard forms are introduced and examined.

CON-2042: Introduction to Structural Systems

In this course, students are introduced to structural theory and design, and learn necessary skills to determine and apply appropriate loading conditions for various construction applications. This course includes topics such as force application, force transfer calculations, and cross-sectional shapes properties.

CON-2063: Construction Economics and Financial Analysis

In this course, students are introduced to fundamentals of economics, cost control, accounting practices and standards, taxes, and pensions. Students learn to use financial ratios for the analysis of financial statements of construction companies. Students are introduced to the processes and steps of capital budgeting and learn how to evaluate and select capital projects. Using computer labs, students become familiar with applied financial management of construction projects.

RCT-3213: Computer Applications and Estimating

This course will introduce students to the use of word processing and spreadsheet software program. Students will build estimating databases and project estimating spreadsheets using these programs.

JSS-1001: Job Search and Success

This course is designed to give the student an understanding of how to conduct a job search and how to succeed in the work place. This includes self-reflection, effectively designing a cover letter and resume, online job searches utilizing social media, behavioural based interviewing as well as marketing oneself effectively in a job interview. Job safety, successful work strategies and harassment and discrimination plan of action is also discussed.

Academic Break

CON-2123: Construction Project Management Simulation

This course provides the student with an opportunity to demonstrate their skills by acting in the role of the construction project manager. This simulated workshop consolidates the learning from the previous courses and provides an opportunity to put learning into action through the use of a computer-based construction project management simulation. Upon completion, students prepare a lesson learned audit capturing their reflection of their own performance and that of their teammates.

CON-1123: Initiation, Stakeholder & Communication

In this course, students develop a structured approach to project initiation and a understanding of the performance domains of stakeholders, planning and communication. Key to this approach is the linkage of the business need to the project outcomes and application of project selection in an organization. Students will examine the Project Charter, linking the business case to the project objectives and outcomes. Examining various models, artifacts and methodology to use when initiating a project for traditional, agile and hybrid. Students will learn the Stakeholder Project Management Principles including analysis of project stakeholders, tailoring to stakeholders and project methodology, determining which artifacts are relevant for stakeholder analysis and creation of a stakeholder engagement plan to deliver identified outcomes. Communication models and methodology will be examined to create a communication plan to engage identified stakeholders. Students will learn appropriate communication methods based on project methodology and how to properly assess communication is delivering planned outcomes.

CON-1133: Project Scope & Quality Management

In this course students identify and define project scope and quality requirements using an array of tools and techniques, including Planning Scope Management, Collecting Requirements, Defining Scope, Creating the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Planning Quality Management.

CON-1163: Project Risks & Procurement Management

In this course, the student explores project uncertainty management. First is the assessment of the level of uncertainty in a project. Next is an understanding of projects with processes that do not change significantly from one project to another (defined process control) and those with high uncertainty that have processes that adapt both the solution and the process to discover the solution as the project progresses (empirical process control). Also, the student explores when and how to blend the two approaches to fit the situation when required. Two related planning areas are examined; risk and procurement management. Risk management planning includes identifying and analyzing risk and developing risk response plans. Procurement management planning involves acquiring goods and services from external organizations. In each case, the level of uncertainty and the factors that drive uncertainty in the project environment must be assessed to determine the appropriate approach to management.

CON-1143: Resource, Schedule and Cost

The course provides an introduction into the complex topic of resource planning for a project. Students will learn how to: define all the project activities required; estimate the resources required; create a time-phased budget; develop a schedule; and acquire, develop & manage a project team Students will learn how all these processes interact with one another over the course of the project life cycle.

CON-1173: MS Project and Excel

In this course, the student is introduced to understanding, organizing, and presenting data in useful visual formats to able to interpret, analyze and make decisions on a project. The student is presented with a number of techniques and tools within MS Excel and MS Project to aid with data analysis. Upon completion, the student will be able to use a number of advanced features within Excel as well as create a complete MS Project Schedule. The student will have the knowledge to monitor the progress of the project using Earned Value Management and utilize several reporting tools within MS Project.

CPL-1049: Work Term Full-Time*

Co-operative education provides students with the opportunity to apply classroom learning to the workplace, undertake career sampling and gain valuable work experience that may assist students in leveraging employment after graduation. For further information regarding co-op, please refer to: https://www.lambtoncollege.ca/co-op_and_career/

CPL-5559: WIL Project

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Project is aimed at enriching students by connecting different program areas of study, cutting across subject-matter lines, and emphasizing unifying concepts. The focus of the WIL Project is to make connections between study and industry by engaging students in relevant and meaningful activities that are connected to and practiced within the professional workplace. WIL Project allows students to enhance and strengthen their employability prospects post-graduation by fine tuning skills and knowledge and meeting the expectations of today's employers. Students are required to attend the scheduled shifts in the WIL office, reporting to the WIL Supervisor. Weekly real-world challenges are presented in the WIL office, designed by industry professionals. In addition to the weekly assigned deliverables, students are also offered professional development sessions, and exposed to industry guest speakers, enhancing their opportunity to develop their professional network.

Co-op Eligibility

*In order to be eligible to participate in a full-time Co-op Work Term (CPL-1049) students must have a GPA of 2.8 or greater.

Failing to do so will require the students to enroll in CPL-5559 WIL Project at an additional cost to the student.

See the Costs tab for current fees.

Program Maps

Students are required to follow their prescribed program map and are not allowed to take unscheduled breaks for any reason.

Current Students

Current students can view program maps from previous years on the mylambton website. 

You will need to login with your C# and password in order to access your program map.

Employment Opportunities

Construction Project Managers specifically may find employment as:

  • General Contractor
  • Construction Project Manager
  • Construction Manager
  • Industrial Construction Manager
  • Residential Construction Manager
  • Self-employed Contractor

For information about post-graduate work eligibility for international students, please review the Post-Graduate Work Permit Program information.

For more information, please contact the appropriate campus:

Sarnia Campus
international@lambtoncollege.ca
Toronto
416-485-2098
lambton@cestarcollege.com
Mississauga
905-890-7833 x 222
lambton@queenscollege.ca
Ottawa
ottawa@lambtoncollege.ca
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