Co-op program details

Structural Steel Management and Detailing

Program details

Credential: 2-Year Ontario College Graduate Certificate

This intensive 16-month graduate certificate program builds on a prior degree or diploma to prepare students with specialized training in the detailing, supply, fabrication, coordination, management, and installation of steel structures.

The curriculum is directly related to industry standards and working conditions with challenging projects encompassing design development using CAD and Building Information Modelling (BIM), building code requirements, specifications, product sourcing, estimating, and project management. The learning environment is founded on project-based learning principles and includes discussion groups, seminars, field trips and practical assignments in which students also develop detailed analytical and communication skills necessary for working in the structural steel industry.

This program is sponsored by the Steel Plus Network (SPN) and the Canadian Institute for Steel Construction (CISC).

Student availability & wage data

Conestoga College facilitates recruitment on an ongoing basis - there are no hard deadlines. Typical time frames for work terms are listed below.

Postings are accepted beginning four months before the start of a term until all students have secured employment provided the minimum 12 consecutive weeks of full-time work is met.

Work/Study Sequence

Year Fall (Sept - Dec) Winter (Jan - Apr) Spring (May - Aug)
Year 1 Classes Classes Work Term*: $16.55-25
Year 2 Classes

Conestoga College collects data on hourly wages of co-operative education students and offers suggested ranges as a service to employers for the purpose of establishing fair and competitive compensation.

Our experience has been that employers increase wages as skills increase, particularly when employing students for more advanced work terms. The Co-operative Education Office can provide assistance to employers in establishing appropriate wage rates.

Work term capabilities

  • Work well within a team
  • Interpret construction documents with guidance of a supervisor
  • Register the relationship between structural steel and other building components
  • Calculate a bill of materials and determine cost estimates
  • Interpret CAD and BIM drawings
  • Create detailing drawings using specialized industry software
  • Apply statics and strength of materials to estimate/verify loading conditions and path
  • Recognize and apply many industry codes, rules and industry standards of practice

Sample job titles

  • Steel Detailer
  • Structural Steel Drafter-Detailer
  • Estimator
  • Coordinator
  • Production Manager - Steel Fabrication
  • Production Manager - Structural Metal and Platework Fabricator
  • Purchasing and Procurement Specialist, Structural Steel
  • Inspector, Structural Steel
  • Steel Project Manager
  • Project Manager

Program courses

To see a typical course list for this program, see the current program course information.

Post a co-op job now

Setup an account or login to Conestoga's MyCareer to post a job.

Contact information

Do you need help developing a recruitment plan or job posting, accessing wage information, or connecting with a talented co-op student? Contact:

Ken Buitenhuis
Employer Relations Consultant
kbuitenhuis@conestogac.on.ca
519-748-5220 ext. 3216.