Construction Trades

Career Focus

Prepared for immediate employment, apprenticeship opportunities, advanced certifications, and further education

Details

This class provides a unique opportunity for students to learn carpentry and construction skills by participating in the construction of a variety of projects, including large commercial buildings. Students are prepared for entry-level employment skills in the construction field and for participation in post-secondary construction- related programs such as construction management, construction engineering, and architecture.

Who Can Attend

This class is typically available to students in grades 10-12.

What You Will Learn

Students participate in

• Estimating, layout, foundation and cement work,
• Rough-in carpentry, roofing, wiring, interior wall finishing,
• Exterior finishing and siding,
• Finish carpentry including trim, etc.

Students are involved in all phases of residential construction. They are also exposed to blueprint reading as well as math and science concepts as they relate to the construction field.

In addition to participating in post high school programs, many graduates of this program work for area contractors or establish themselves as a licensed contractor.

Resources

Build Your Future! Explore Careers and their Paths

Career Ladder

Michigan & National Wage and Employment Data

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

• Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
• Architectural and Engineering Managers
• Career/Technical Education Teachers
• Civil Engineers
• Commercial and Industrial Designers
• Construction Managers
• Engineers, All Other
• Environmental Engineers
• Landscape Architects
• General and Operations Managers
• Purchasing Managers
• Surveyors
• Urban and Regional Planners

Associate’s Degree, Long-Term Training and Apprenticeships

• Architectural and Civil Drafters
• Brickmasons and Blockmasons
• Carpenters
• Civil Engineering Technicians
• Drafters, All Other
• Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blaster
• Glaziers
• Maintenance and Repair Workers
• Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers
• Structural Iron and Steel Workers
• Wind Turbine Service Technicians

Certificate or Moderate-Term Training

• Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
• Cement Masons 
• Construction and Building Inspectors
• Construction and Related Workers, All Other
• Crane and Tower Operators
• Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
• Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators
• Helpers–Extraction Workers
• Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
• Painters, Construction and Maintenance
• Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
• Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
• Roofers
• Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters 
• Surveying and Mapping Technicians 

High School Diploma or Equivalent and Short-Term Training

• Construction Laborers
• Helpers–Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile  
• Helpers–Carpenters
• Helpers–Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
• Helpers–Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons
• Helpers–Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
• Helpers–Roofers
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers
• Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
• Riggers
• Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders

High School Credit

Students should inquire within their guidance office about high school curriculum requirements that may be satisfied through a CTE class, as this is determined individually by school district.

College Credit

• Students can earn up to 4 college credits from NMU
• Students must earn a grade of 90% or better and be recommended by the instructor
• Each college reserves the right to set its own credit-granting policy
• Contact your college(s) to find out the score it requires to grant credit, the number of credit hours granted, and the course(s) that can be bypassed with a satisfactory score

NMU Courses Satisfied

• CN 110 – Construction Processes – 2 NMU credits granted
• CN 156 – Construction Systems & Methods – 2 NMU credits granted

Industry Certification

Industry-Recognized Certification

• 10-hour OSHA Construction Industry Safety*

*Credentials are nationally recognized, portable and stackable, which means students have the option of attaining more advanced credentials in the future

Locations and Instructors

Gwinn High School

Instructor: Mike Nicosia

NICE Community Schools

Instructor: John Jessen

Marquette Senior High School

Instructors: Nate McFarren

Superior Central High School

Instructor: Jacob Cogger