Building Industry Employee Development Program

Series 1: Foundations of Residential Construction 1  (6 hours )

Building Industry Employee Development Program

Series 1: Foundations of Residential Construction 1

AIA Pre-Approved • 6 Hours (LU/HSW)

Online • Self-Paced Workforce Training

Who This Course Is Designed For

Who This Course Is Designed For (EMPLOYEE-ONLY Eligibility)

All hours are fully recognized for AIA LU/HSW credit and support competency development for employees only.

This program is strictly for staff-level personnel and is not open to business owners, partners, directors, senior executives, or their family members.

① AIA Architect Employee Members

Eligible employee positions include:

• AIA Architect Employees working in architecture firms

• Internally employed Architects (non-owner, non-partner)

• Staff Architects hired on payroll (no managerial or ownership authority)

② AIA Associate Members (Employees)

• Associate-level architectural employees

• Graduate architects and architectural interns employed in firms

• Staff-level junior designers (non-managerial)

③ Architectural Technology & Design Teams (Employees Only)

• Architectural Technologists (employee positions)

• Senior & Intermediate Architectural Technologists (non-managerial roles)

• Architectural Designers (employee status)

• Intern / Graduate Architects (employees)

• BIM Technologists & BIM Coordinators (employees)

• Drafting Technicians and CAD Technicians

(All must be employees; no contractors holding ownership or managerial authority.)

④ Construction & Project Delivery Teams (Employee Roles Only)

• Design-Build employees

• Construction Manager employees (non-executive)

• Project Coordinators & Project Manager employees (non-director level)

• Site Supervisors employed by construction firms

• Residential Builder Employees & Field Technicians

• Developer technical staff (non-management, non-owner)

⑤ Specialized Consultant Teams (Employee-Level Technical Staff Only)

• Structural Engineering employees

• Building Code Analyst employees

• Planning Consultant employees

• Life Safety / Fire Protection Engineering staff

• Building Envelope & Sustainability Analyst employees

• Passive House / Net-Zero Design employees

• Engineering-related technical staff (junior or intermediate levels)

Important Eligibility Notes (Required for Employer Training Grant Compliance)

🚫 Not Eligible:

• Company owners, partners, or shareholders

• Directors, senior managers, executives

• Contractors working as independent businesses

• Relatives of owners, partners, or directors

• Anyone with decision-making authority over the business

✅ Eligible:

• Employees hired on payroll (T4 or equivalent)

• Staff-level professionals involved in design, drafting, field coordination, or technical duties

• Wage-based or salary-based employees with no ownership or executive control

Course Description

This AIA pre-approved 6-hour foundational training is specifically developed for employee training grants, workforce upskilling, and employer-sponsored continuing education. The course introduces new hires, emerging professionals, and cross-discipline construction personnel to the essential systems, regulations, materials, and methods that form the basis of North American residential construction practice.

Participants explore the technical, regulatory, and practical fundamentals that support competent architectural and construction work. This includes:

• Foundations of residential building design and construction

• Zoning, permitting, and code compliance requirements

• Lumber properties, wood-frame construction, and floor/wall framing fundamentals

• Substructure, foundations, damp proofing, and water management

• Basic plan-reading, documentation, and construction coordination

The course provides the baseline technical literacy needed to support safe, compliant, and coordinated residential construction projects—without overwhelming learners with unnecessary technical depth.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand Core Principles of Residential Construction

• Identify key structural and non-structural components of residential buildings

• Understand how major building systems interact

• Recognize the materials and methods commonly used in residential projects

2. Apply Building Codes, Zoning & Permitting Requirements

• Interpret zoning regulations affecting residential development

• Navigate the permitting and approval process

• Identify code obligations related to structural safety, fire protection, and environmental performance

3. Master Lumber Selection & Wood-Frame Construction Fundamentals

• Identify properties of lumber and engineered wood

• Understand floor, wall, and roof framing concepts

• Apply appropriate selection and installation methods for various framing materials

4. Understand Foundations, Substructure & Moisture Protection

• Review foundation types and their functional purpose

• Understand damp proofing, waterproofing, and environmental risk mitigation

• Connect foundation decisions to overall building stability and performance

5. Read & Interpret Residential Plans and Documents

• Interpret key drawings: plans, elevations, sections, and basic details

• Understand symbols, dimensions, and construction notation

• Communicate drawing requirements effectively to team members

Key Topics Covered

Introduction to Residential Construction

• Fundamental principles of residential design

• Standard materials, systems, and construction approaches

Permits & Zoning in Residential Construction

• Role and impact of zoning rules

• Steps and requirements in the residential permitting process

Foundations, Damp Proofing & Substructure

• Foundation systems and environmental considerations

• Substructure stability and moisture protection

• Waterproofing and performance requirements

Lumber Properties & Wood-Frame Systems

• Understanding dimensional vs. engineered lumber

• Structural usage and performance considerations

• Best practices in material selection

Floor & Wall Framing Fundamentals

• Floor framing using dimensional and engineered wood

• Wall framing for small and large residential buildings

• Integration of load-bearing and non-load-bearing systems

Engineered Floor Systems

• Principles of modern engineered floor assemblies

• Comparative performance and design considerations

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this 6-hour AIA-accredited course, participants will:

• Possess a foundational understanding of residential construction concepts

• Improve competency in reading plans and technical documentation

• Understand how to apply zoning, code, and permitting requirements

• Demonstrate improved judgment in lumber and framing system selection

• Recognize how foundations, substructures, and moisture control influence building performance

• Be better prepared to support design teams, builders, and supervisors in real-world projects

Course Purpose

The goal of this program is not to overwhelm learners with intricate engineering calculations, but to equip them with practical, accessible, industry-aligned knowledge that strengthens:

• Workforce readiness

• Construction safety

• Design coordination

• Code-compliant practice

• Effective project communication

This course supports the development of competent, confident entry- and mid-level personnel capable of contributing meaningfully to residential construction projects.

Program Duration

4 weeks (recommended)

Flexible for employer training grant requirements.

Learning Resources

• Textbooks & technical manuals

• Real-life case studies

• Online videos and technical demonstrations

• Supplemental digital materials

Delivery Methods

• Online (self-paced)

• In-person classroom

• On-site blended instruction

• Hybrid formats

Marking Scheme

Two main components:

1. Theory (50%) – Online training & knowledge checks

2. Applied Learning (50%) – Case study, term project, and/or presentation

Grading Scale:

A = 94–100%

A- = 90–93%

B+ = 86–89%

B = 83–85%

B- = 80–82%

C+ = 75–79%

C = 70–74%

D = 60–69%

F = 0–59%

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum grade of C

• Completion of all theory and applied components

Capacity

• Maximum 30 participants per training cohort

Instructors

UOFVISA.COM — Academy of Vancity Institute of Science and Art

Team of senior experts, architects, technologists, and construction professionals.