Building Service Technician

The Building Service Technician program provides students with training in essential maintenance and repair skills, along with practical knowledge of building codes and bylaws. Students gain expertise in maintaining and repairing piping, plumbing fixtures, electrical appliances, and outlets, as well as performing tasks such as laying out, measuring, cutting, and assembling wood, maintaining concrete products, and working with roofing systems, insulation, and wall materials like Gyproc.

The program emphasizes key skills such as communication, troubleshooting, and the use of hand and power tools, along with practical techniques in construction, plumbing, and electrical systems, preparing students for a dynamic and versatile career in residential maintenance.

Examples of what jobs graduates from this program can do:

Career opportunities include roles such as building maintenance worker, property maintenance technician, residential building maintenance worker, and building service technician. These positions involve responsibilities like maintaining and repairing building systems, ensuring safety compliance, and performing routine inspections to uphold facility standards.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program are able to:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of building service operations, including industry standards, regulations, and best practices for maintaining residential, commercial, and institutional buildings.
• Apply occupational health and safety principles, including hazard identification, risk assessment, and emergency response procedures, to ensure a safe working environment for themselves and others.
• Use trade-related mathematics and perform financial calculations to support decision-making in building service operations, including material estimation, budgeting, and cost control.
• Select, use, and maintain hand and power tools effectively, ensuring adherence to safety guidelines and manufacturer specifications.
• Analyze and apply building science principles, including energy efficiency, ventilation, moisture control, and structural integrity, to inform maintenance and repair decisions.
• Identify, prevent, and remediate common building issues, including mould, leaks, and structural deterioration, to maintain safe and healthy indoor environments.
• Perform repairs and maintenance on various building systems, including carpentry, drywall, roofing, flooring, plumbing, heating, ventilation, electrical, and finishing systems, using industry-approved techniques.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and plumbing issues, applying problem-solving strategies to restore building functionality.
• Communicate effectively with building occupants, clients, and stakeholders by demonstrating professional public relations skills, conflict resolution, and customer service best practices.
• Perform administrative tasks related to building service operations, including record-keeping, scheduling, and regulatory documentation, to support efficient facility management.
• Evaluate and implement sustainable building practices, including resource conservation, waste management, and energy-efficient solutions, to minimize environmental impact.
• Adhere to ethical, professional, and regulatory standards in all aspects of building service work, demonstrating responsibility and accountability in their role.

Success Factors

You might be a good fit for this program if you would enjoy any of the following:

• Enjoy working with your hands, using tools, and performing repairs to maintain building systems.
• Like solving problems, troubleshooting issues, and finding solutions for plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation, and structural challenges.
• Value workplace safety and take pride in following health and safety regulations to create a secure environment.
• Have an interest in learning a variety of trades skills, including carpentry, drywall, painting, flooring, plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC systems.
• Prefer hands-on learning experiences that involve practical training rather than a purely classroom-based education.
• Pay attention to detail and take care in inspecting, maintaining, and repairing buildings with accuracy and precision.
• Are looking for job stability and career growth in a high-demand field with opportunities in property management, building maintenance, and facility services.
• Work well both independently and as part of a team, collaborating with tradespeople and professionals to complete tasks efficiently.
• Enjoy interacting with clients, building occupants, and stakeholders, using strong communication and customer service skills.
• Care about sustainability and energy efficiency and are interested in applying environmentally responsible building maintenance techniques.

A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle is strongly recommended given the potential need to travel for practicum placement.

The industry and program environment often requires individuals to:

• Work in a variety of settings, including residential, commercial, and institutional buildings, performing maintenance and repairs.
• Adapt to physically demanding tasks, including lifting, climbing, and working in confined spaces or at heights.
• Follow strict health and safety regulations to prevent workplace hazards and ensure a secure environment for themselves and others.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose issues in plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and structural systems, applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Use hand tools, power tools, and specialized equipment safely and effectively to complete repairs and maintenance tasks.
• Communicate professionally with clients, building occupants, and team members to provide excellent customer service and ensure work is completed efficiently.
• Manage time effectively to balance multiple repair and maintenance tasks while meeting deadlines and operational needs.
• Work both independently and collaboratively, depending on the task, demonstrating self-reliance and teamwork skills.
• Stay up to date with building codes, industry regulations, and technological advancements in building maintenance and service.
• Maintain detailed records and documentation for maintenance schedules, repair work, and compliance requirements.
• Respond to urgent maintenance issues or emergencies, sometimes working outside of standard business hours.
• Implement environmentally responsible and energy-efficient maintenance practices to reduce operational costs and environmental impact.
• Be self-motivated and results-oriented with the ability to deliver strong results in an often unsupervised environment.