WRLA Training & Course Offerings
The WRLA Academy is here! We can't wait to share our all-new professional development program with all our members.
Member Cost: Free (with membership)
Elevate your knowledge in residential construction with the 'Building Material Fundamentals Series'. Included free with your WRLA membership and developed by industry experts, these courses provide a concise yet comprehensive understanding of Canadian building materials.
Topics Covered:
- Lumber Fundamentals
- Exterior and Interior Building Materials
- Additional Courses
Exterior Building Material Fundamentals
- Building envelope
- Sheathing
- Roofing
- Siding
- Doors & Windows
- Decks
- Paint
Interior Building Material Fundamentals
- Insulation
- Drywall
- Doors & Windows
- Millwork Moulding
- Floor Covering
- Kitchen and Bath Cabinets
- Electrical
- Paint
Additional Courses
- Understanding commodity pricing & market volatility
- Sustainability in the Building Materials Industry
- Safety fundamentals
- Building Codes & Regulations
- Software Application Essentials
- Additional interior courses including Trusses, Metal (studs, decking, and railing), and Interior Finishing
In-person session: TBD
Member Cost (Level 1 only): $499
Member Cost (Levels 1-3): $1,199
This comprehensive course, spanning three levels, is designed to equip logistics and warehouse management professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve excellence in warehouse operations.
Throughout the course, participants will gain a deep understanding of critical aspects of warehouse management and develop strategies for optimizing efficiency, reducing costs, and fostering a culture of excellence. Each level is structured as a combination of theoretical concepts, practical applications, case studies, and interactive discussions. Upon successful completion of Level 1, participants will be required to complete additional online learning before advancing to Level 2, and the same progression applies for Level 3. This tiered approach ensures that learners build upon their knowledge progressively, ultimately becoming adept warehouse management professionals.
Register for Yard &
Warehouse Management
Online, Self-paced learning
Duration: 8 hours
Member Cost: $149
Non-Member Cost: $349
This class is your key to unlocking insider knowledge! Going through this course will give you ease and familiarity with terms that would otherwise take years of trial and error to learn. Dive into this in-depth look at all the components you’ll come across when creating a customer estimate (takeoff). You will learn about fences, decks, garage floors, main and subfloor framing, garage walls, roofs (residential and garage), trusses, as well as interior assembly.
Who's it for? This course has been designed for people brand new to the building industry or for those stepping into the new role of an estimator.
Register for Terminology Course
Online Blueprint Reading
Online, Self-paced learning.
Duration: 8 hours
Member Cost: $399
Non‐Member Cost: $699
Are you looking to better understand the information found on working drawings for the purpose of estimating? This course covers the basic content of residential working drawings. It includes several different types of drawings to help students become familiar with all aspects of blueprint reading. Upon completion of this class, students will have a good understanding of house plans and be able to:
- Identify the information included in title blocks, cover sheets and schedules
- Realize the liability and contractual obligations arising from working with blueprints
- Differentiate between items shown in the section and in elevation and the importance of the ‘cut plane’
- Calculate vertical and horizontal dimensions in both imperial and metric
- Recognize building terms, abbreviations and symbols common to the building industry
Comprehend the information included on-site plans, including grades, slope and setbacks.
Register for Blueprint Reading
Online Estimating Level 1
Member Cost: $399
Non‐Member Cost: $699
Construction estimating creates sales opportunities for your business and detailed, accurate estimates are essential!
This course is recommended for anyone new to a sales or estimating role. It will take you through the process of estimating: from the contract documents to the methods of calculating material quantities used in construction. Discover how to use “take off” methods from professional drawings to develop an accurate materials list. Understand the components and material you’ll need to create a typical estimate for decks, garages and bungalows. Through videos, practical exercises, and mini knowledge assessments you will get the solid estimating foundation you need.
We encourage all Level 1 Estimating students to complete the online Terminology and Blueprint Reading Courses to ensure they are confident reading blueprints.
Register for Online
Estimating Level 1
Estimating Level 1
In-person session: TBD
Member Cost: $499
Non‐Member Cost: $699
This class is delivered in-person as well as being offered virtually on livestream.
Construction estimating creates sales opportunities for your business and detailed, accurate estimates are essential!
This course is recommended for anyone new to a sales or estimating role. It will take you through the process of estimating: from the contract documents to the methods of calculating material quantities used in construction. Discover how to use “take off” methods from professional drawings to develop an accurate materials list. Understand the components and material you’ll need to create a typical estimate for decks, garages and bungalows. Practical exercises and more will give you the solid estimating foundation you need.
We encourage all Level 1 Estimating students to complete the online Terminology and Blueprint Reading Courses to ensure they are confident reading blueprints.
Online Estimating Level 2
Member Cost: $399
Non‐Member Cost: $699
Construction estimating creates sales opportunities for your business and detailed, accurate estimates are essential! You’ve learned the basics, and now it’s time to advance your expertise.
You’ll review architectural and structural drawings to complete the entire process of creating an accurate, professional take-off. Discover the terminology and components you need for a standard 2-storey home, bonus room, walkout, duplex, 2-storey duplex, and tall walls. Through practical exercises and actual estimating examples, this course will enable you to provide robust service to your customer and drive additional revenue to your business.
Register for Online
Estimating Level 2
Estimating Level 2
In-person session: TBD
Member Cost: $499
Non-Member Cost: $699
This class is delivered in-person as well as being offered virtually on livestream.
Construction estimating creates sales opportunities for your business and detailed, accurate estimates are essential! You’ve learned the basics, and now it’s time to advance your expertise.
You’ll review architectural and structural drawings to complete the entire process of creating an accurate, professional take-off. Discover the terminology and components you need for a standard 2-storey home, bonus room, walkout, duplex, 2-storey duplex, and tall walls. Through practical exercises and actual estimating examples, this course will enable you to provide robust service to your customer and drive additional revenue to your business.
Introducing the new suite of online courses by Blue House Energy
WRLA members can now save 10% on Key Courses with Blue House Energy and get prepared for shifts in the building code as the industtry marches toward Net Zero.
Key Courses offered:
- Building Science Basics
- Envelope Fundamentals
- Construction Technology
- Net Zero for New Construction
- Whole House Energy Retrofit (late 2023)
- Energy Advisor Foundation Exam Prep
- Energy Advisor House Exam Prep
- Intro to HOT2000 Modelling
Check out the entire Blue House offering on our dedicated WRLA portal page here.
How to access the Learning Management System
Note - for Non-Member registration to any of our online courses, click here to email WRLA Academy and get your course link.