Woodworking Technician

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Courses - September 2025

Level 1

Course details

College Reading & Writing Skills
COMM1085

Description: This course introduces students to the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills needed for academic and workplace success. Students will analyse a variety of texts and apply the steps of planning, writing, and revising to produce writing that meets the expectations of selected audiences and purposes. The course prepares students for college-level writing tasks, research, and documentation by asking them to produce clear, informed, and purposeful documents relevant to both academic and professional contexts.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.
  • Hours: 1
  • Credits: 0
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Drafting And Blueprint Reading
DRWG1097

Description: Drafting is the visual language of designers, craftsmen, engineers and architects. This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to drafting fundamentals from free-hand sketching to 2-Dimensional computer-aided-design (CAD). Topics include layout, title block, scale, the “alphabet of lines”, orthographic projection, section and auxiliary views, and annotation. Students will apply the fundamentals of drafting in conjunction with CAD software to create detailed technical drawings for woodworking applications.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: Not available at this time.

Numerical Woodworking Applications
MATH1227

Description: This course will provide the student with the ability to apply numeracy to wood machining fundamentals and principles.
  • Hours: 14
  • Credits: 1
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: Not available at this time.

Materials
MATR1030

Description: In this course students will study the structure and characteristics of wood, wood identification and the different methods used to cut and match veneers. The students will select the following materials according to usage: lumber, veneers, particleboards, fibreboards, plywoods, plastic laminates, abrasives, adhesives and preservatives. The student will also study material standard sizes and grades, as well as distinctive characteristics and comparative costs.
  • Hours: 28
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: Not available at this time.

Woodworking Techniques I
WOOD1010

Description: This course provides students with the basics of machine set up, operation procedures, and the key principles of wood machining; the basis for operations performed in the workshop. Also covered in the course is the importance of required industrial safety procedures, including the proper selection, maintenance and care of cutting tools.
  • Hours: 28
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: Not available at this time.

Machining Practice I
WOOD1027

Description: This course provides students with a working knowledge of machining practice. Both traditional hand use equipment and modern power equipment will be used. While constructing and planning specified furniture and cabinet projects, students will apply standard safety procedures to set up, operate, and maintain woodworking machines and tools, and learn to identify proper operating methods of a wood workshop; in addition to using various jigs and fixtures and interpreting shop drawings and production documentation.
  • Hours: 112
  • Credits: 6
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: Not available at this time.

Finishing I
WOOD1047

Description: This course covers standard industrial finishing materials, methods and equipment. Theoretical and practical concepts of coating technologies are explained and applied relative to wood species and to the design, production and inspection of furniture components. Emphasis at this stage will be placed on discussing coating components and their role in a formulation and on the conventional spraying technology.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: Not available at this time.

Level 2

Course details

Computer Drafting
COMP1250

Description: In this course students will apply the fundamentals of three dimensional solid modeling using CAD software. This course is designed to equip the student with a basic level of skill in creating 3-D woodworking parts, assembly models and drawings, which will be used in future product design courses.
  • Hours: 28
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites: DRWG1097
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Product Engineering
DSGN1025

Description:

Product engineering is the information hub of any woodworking business. In this course we will examine the process of effectively engineering woodworking products. A representative group of furniture will be studied to illustrate the principles of sound construction of furniture, cabinetry, and architectural millwork. Topics will include the selection and application of wood joints, fasteners, and hardware. Students will also prepare a complete set of product specifications including detailed drawings using CAD software, as well as bills of material for woodworking projects.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites: DRWG1097
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: $39.60

CNC (Woodworking)
MACH1020

Description:

This course is a basic introduction to the fundamentals of computer numerical control for woodworking. The student will have a general knowledge of basic programming skills and machine operation.

  • Hours: 14
  • Credits: 1
  • Pre-Requisites: MATH1227
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Woodworking Techniques II
WOOD1050

Description: In this course students will explore woodworking techniques including machine set-up and operating procedures for processing solid wood and veneered panels; in addition to the machining of man-made boards and the current state of the art of cutting tools. Machine maintenance including motor and spindle speeds, drive systems, bearings and lubricants are also reviewed.
  • Hours: 28
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites: WOOD1010
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Finishing II
WOOD1077

Description:

In this course, students will examine the principles of colour control and the theory of colour and light as they relate to the furniture industry. Theoretical concepts of High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) and air-assisted airless spray equipment will be discussed, as well as types of spray booths and industrial compressors. This course introduces the students to more complex spray application technologies, such as HVLP and air-assisted airless. Students will apply colour matching techniques and will perform wood and finishing repair techniques.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites: WOOD1047
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Machining Practice II
WOOD1085

Description: In this course, students learn to set up, operate and maintain safely and effectively a wide range of production machinery and equipment to produce a major furniture project as a team unit. Students work from technical drawings and route sheets to meet the design specifications of the project. Shop areas covered include: breakout, veneering, machining, assembly and finishing.
  • Hours: 112
  • Credits: 6
  • Pre-Requisites: WOOD1025 OR WOOD1027
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Level 3

Course details

Product Design And Development
DRWG2112

Description: Product design and development is fundamental to the success of every business. This course introduces the students to the product development process from the original designer's sketch to the completed sample, with the emphasis on a basic overview of the process involved. Topics will include the selection and use of wood components and hardware , the relationship between target product cost and the choice of materials and construction methods. The major assignment will be the preparation of a complete set of production documents using solid modelling and spreadsheets for the personal project the student will build in the final semester of their second year.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites: COMP1250 AND DSGN1020 OR DSGN1025
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: Not available at this time.

Production Equipment and CNC
MACH2291

Description:

This course provides the student with practical set-up and operation experience on advanced conventional and CNC woodworking machines.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites: MACH1020 AND WOOD1080 OR WOOD1085
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: Not available at this time.

Shop Management
OPER2120

Description: In this course, the student will study the line and staff functions of a manufacturing organization. Topics will include the fundamentals of work measurement and methods analysis as well as the principles of materials handling and plant layout. Elements of supervision and industrial relations will also be discussed.
  • Hours: 28
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: Not available at this time.

Woodworking Techniques III
WOOD2020

Description: In this course students will explore woodworking techniques, in addition to the theory of production woodworking machines typical of what would be used in industry including machine capabilities, sequencing, and appropriate tooling. The content will also cover the use of the 32mm measuring system and the hardware that is designed to be used with it.
  • Hours: 28
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites: WOOD1050
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: Not available at this time.

Finishing III
WOOD2065

Description: In this course students will learn to disassemble and assemble various spray equipment such as conventional air spray, HVLP, air assisted airless and medium pressure spray equipment. Additionally, students learn how to measure wet and dry film builds using the appropriate equipment, and practicing safe set up and spray of a variety of equipment using the correct tip, air cap and needle combinations to obtain proper film build and appearance consistent with production spraying requirements.
  • Hours: 28
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites: WOOD1077
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: Not available at this time.

Machining Practice III
WOOD2140

Description: This hands-on course will include the machining, sanding, assembly and finishing of documented furniture and cabinetry projects, in addition to anticipating and solving related problems as they arise.
  • Hours: 112
  • Credits: 6
  • Pre-Requisites: WOOD1085
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: Not available at this time.
Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Level 4

Course details

Architectural Product Design
DSGN2080

Description: In this course, principles of design and layout of kitchens are studied and applied to computer based kitchen design using dedicated software.Students also study the development of woodworking documentation using typical computer spreadsheet software.
  • Hours: 28
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Entrepreneurship
ENTR1011

Description: This course introduces the student to the option of business ownership. How business operates, forms of business and the role of government in small business will be the focus. Ethics and established business practices will be explored via case studies. As a culminating activity the student will produce a business plan taking into account various relevant components.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: $99.10

Architectural Techniques
WOOD2105

Description: This course will provide an overview of the architectural millwork sector of the woodworking industry. Students will be introduced to various millwork components and their proper terminology. Woodworking project management, including architectural documentation, tender documents and legal issues will also be examined.
  • Hours: 28
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Architectural Millwork Practice
WOOD2130

Description: To meet the unit outcomes, the student must perform the required setup, operation, machining, trimming, or fitting on a part(s) or subassembly(s) supplied by the teacher or manufactured by the student to predetermined specifications. Depending on the exercise, and at the discretion of the teacher, the students will work individually or in groups. This course provides the students with practical setup and operational experience on many machines used in the kitchen cabinet, store fixture and architectural millwork industries.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.

Machining Practice IV
WOOD2150

Description: In this course, the student will complete the machining, sanding, assembly and finishing of one or more personal projects which have been designed and documented by the student in advance and have been approved by the appropriate instructor.
  • Hours: 112
  • Credits: 6
  • Pre-Requisites: WOOD2038 OR WOOD2140
  • CoRequisites:
  • Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs: No cost.
Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Please note:

Estimated required text and/or learning resource costs are based on the most recent available data through the Conestoga Campus Store.

Program outcomes

  1. Describe the variety, grades, physical properties, preparation and uses of materials commonly used in the trade and how these relate to the quality and performance of wood products.
  2. Explain the responsibility and methods of maintaining a safe working environment in compliance with all applicable legislation.
  3. Set-up, operate and maintain safely and effectively hand and power tools as well as a wide range of production machinery and equipment used in wood products manufacturing.
  4. Design, construct and use jigs, fixtures and patterns to enhance the safe and efficient machining and assembly of components.
  5. Use safely and effectively a variety of industrial wood finishing equipment and techniques.
  6. Outline a wide variety of manufacturing techniques and processes utilized the in the woodworking industry today as well as those that may be utilized in the future.
  7. Describe the unique features, design and construction fundamentals of furniture, cabinetry and architectural millwork products.
  8. Prepare technical drawings, product specifications and cost estimates for a variety of wood products effectively and in compliance with industry practices.
  9. Design, develop, engineer and construct a major project that demonstrates proficiency in all areas of manufacturing a woodworking product.
  10. Communicate technical information effectively, at appropriate levels through the use of written and oral language, graphics and computers.
  11. Apply advanced software, including CAD, CAM, office and database suites to design and manufacturing processes to enhance productivity and efficiency.
  12. Program, set-up and operate advanced computer-controlled machines.
  13. Outline the basic principles of sound business practices.