Construction Trades

Houses, schools, factories, malls, roads, bridges – each needs to be built and maintained. With a projected surge in construction related projects and anticipated employer needs, opportunities look bright for students considering a career in construction. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported construction jobs will remain in high demand through the next several years.

Students will be introduced to a wide variety of occupation areas related to new house construction and remodeling as they rotate through two areas of focus. Students will also be exposed to residential occupations such as carpenters, roofers, siding installers, masons, and electricians.

Second-year students proceed to the On Site classroom where they will work on building a large residential home (from the ground up!) in a nearby subdivision. These students experience all aspects of building a house, including carpentry framing, finish work, running wires and pipes, and the installation of interior doors, trim, and cabinets.

In this class, safety comes first. All lessons are designed to reinforce the transferable core skills of working safely. Also emphasized are skills in following written instructions, solving problems, reading plans and prints, taking accurate measurements, and applying math concepts.

All students are provided an opportunity to earn an OSHA 10-hour construction safety certificate in their first year. This credential is nationally recognized and never expires. Second year students can qualify for the Michigan Residential Builders pre-licensure certification, which can save as much as $1,000 toward becoming a licensed contractor.

Not sure if you are a good fit for this program? Each program has a list of recommendations to follow when placing students in classes called "SUCCESS INDICATORS". Students do best when their characteristics align with these recommendations.

Success indicators for all programs