Sustainable Construction Management Technology Diploma

The Sustainable Construction Management Technology (SCMT) program is a two-year diploma program, based at the Centre of Excellence at Okanagan College's Penticton campus. SCMT is a forward-thinking program designed to enable, empower and inspire the emerging generation of construction managers and technologists to deliver true sustainable development. The graduating students will play a leading role in the construction industry - both in Canada and internationally - to deliver projects that achieve high sustainability performance and contribute to the economic, environmental, and social well-being of communities.

The program will provide learners with the technical, business and interpersonal skills required to effectively manage construction projects of varying size and complexity, emphasizing sustainable design principles. Students will develop the technical knowledge and skills required to construct all scales of infrastructure projects - from planning through to completion. Students will also learn to estimate material requirements, costs, schedule and manage construction projects.

In consultation with industry-experienced practitioners, both internal and external, the SCMT program has been designed with five major themes which address the important aspects of the built environment. The five themes are as follows:

• Building Studies;
• Commercial Studies;
• Sustainability Studies;
• Core Studies; and
• Projects.

The first two themes address the core study areas of construction management from commercial and building aspects. These include quantity surveying, estimating, procurement, planning, processes and construction. The core studies theme includes courses on business management, math, communications, law, civil engineering and human resources.  The first and second year projects consist of practical laboratories that may take place in the college or elsewhere in the local community or further afield. With the exception of the three Business Administration courses, all courses within these streams require face-to-face delivery.

The sustainability theme provides the needed foundation and a life cycle thinking approach to green building principles, existing infrastructure, and renewable energy technologies. This stream (11 courses) is delivered through blended learning, which includes face-to-face and online delivery. The face-to-face component consists of an intensive 2-3 day delivery during the first week. After the intensive hours are completed in the first week, these courses will be delivered online over the remaining twelve weeks of each term.

The program follows the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach to influence, shape and guide the emerging generation of construction professionals. The learning outcomes of the program will follow a problem-based approach, so that students can influence the resiliency of projects in the industry in which many graduates will find themselves working. Students will have an opportunity to gain work experience by participating in paid co-op work with a construction-related company. Such experience increases students' employment opportunities and their value to their employers upon graduation.

On graduation, there will be a wide choice of career opportunities as a site superintendent, general contractor, subcontractor, material supplier, field coordinator, quantity surveyor, estimator, inspector, project manager, scheduler or contract manager. The business elements of the program may also offer opportunities to establish a new construction company - one which specializes in sustainable development and construction.

The College intends to obtain certification with the Applied Science Technologist and Technicians of British Columbia (ASTTBC) and the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB) for the program.

The SCMT 101 Co-op Work Term option is available between year 1 and year 2 of the program.

Admission Requirements

• BC secondary school graduation, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for one year as of the first day of classes.
• English 12 with minimum 60% or alternatives.
• Math requirement:

A minimum of 60% in any of:

• Pre-calculus Grade 12
• Foundations of Mathematics Grade 12
• Principles of Mathematics 12
• Applications of Mathematics 12
• Adult Basic Education MATH 012
• Okanagan College MATH 120

Or a minimum of 67% in any of:

• Pre-calculus Grade 11
• Principles of Mathematics 11
• Adult Basic Education MATH 011

Or a minimum of 70% in an Okanagan College Mathematics 11 Proficiency Test

One of the Grade 12 mathematics courses is recommended. The mathematics requirement must be successfully completed no more than seven years prior to enrolment in the program.

Program Outline

Graduation Requirements

Successful completion of the prescribed courses as listed in the program outline with a minimum graduating grade average of 60%.