Quantity surveyors are responsible for controlling costs and ensuring best value within a construction setting. Training courses, delivered at degree and professional levels, provide the skills necessary to deliver accurate estimates of the labor, plant and materials involved in any given project. Quantity surveyors in Canada are represented by the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS).
Diploma in Architectural and Building Engineering Technology
Architectural and Building Engineering Technology is a two-year diploma course offered by the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Blending theoretical and practical learning, the first year's course curriculum delivers a foundation in construction engineering and facilities management. In the second year, students may elect to focus solely on the economics side of construction, including quantity surveying. The course covers subjects including: estimating techniques, creation and interpretation of construction drawings and the use of quantity surveying software.
British Columbia Institute of Technology 3700 Willingdon Avenue Burnaby, British Columbia V5G 3H2 Canada 604-434-5734 bcit.ca
Bachelor of Architectural Science
The Bachelor of Architectural Science degree is a four-year course offered by Ryerson University. While the first three years of the course present a more generalized study of construction and architectural methods and practice, the fourth year module in project management looks at the economics and management of construction. During this final year, students focus on increasing their understanding of how large scale construction projects are planned, organized and controlled. This knowledge lays the foundations for anyone considering a career as a quantity surveyor. Upon completion of the fourth year, project management students can seek professional accreditation from the Ontario Institute of Quantity Surveyors.
Department of Architectural Science Ryerson University 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 2K3 Canada 416-979-5360 arch.ryerson.ca
Measurement of Construction Work I
This course, offered by the Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, is an introduction to quantity surveying. Students learn how to read basic construction drawings and are given a primer in measuring and estimating. Calculations play a big part of a quantity surveyor's role, so algebra 11 is recommended as a prerequisite. This quantity surveying course is the first of a series of courses offered by CIQS that has been awarded with Gold Seal Certification by the Canadian Construction Association. This is a national, voluntary accreditation scheme.
Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors 90 Nolan Court, Unit 19 Markham, ON L3R 4L9 Canada 905-477-0008 ciqs.org