County vocational-technical schools prepare students for careers in all aspects of the construction industry, including building trades, project management, architecture, drafting and design, and facilities maintenance and operations.
Most districts offer programs for both high school students and adults in construction trades, like carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and welding. Through partnerships with local employers and labor unions, many districts also offer work-based learning opportunities and apprenticeship training.
Students in these high-demand fields develop skills through hands-on learning and also gain experience in planning, designing, and estimating project costs. Construction-related programs also provide training in safety, related mathematics and science, and small business skills.
Students in construction-related programs hone their skills in industry-standard workshops, where they work together to build structures from the ground up. These buildings meet all structural and safety requirements and are subsequently used in the schools as well as in the surrounding communities. In fact, Cumberland County Technical Education Center students recently built a tiny house on wheels as part of a class project that was later put up for auction.
Why Construction and Architecture?
- Employs more than 7.3 million people
- Accounted for 4.3% of U.S. GDP in 2020
- Valued at $1.365 trillion in 2019
- 41% of current workforce projected to retire by 2031
- American Welding Society says the U.S. could need more than 400,000 new welders by 2024
Take a closer look at Construction:
Career pathways in this area include:
Architect
Building manager
Cabinet maker
Carpenter
Electrician
Energy efficiency expert
General contractor
HVAC technician
Project manager
Engineer
Energy technician
Iron/Metal worker
Plumber
Welder
For Students And Parents:
To see what construction-related programs your county vocational-technical school offers, find your school.
For Adult Students:
To find construction-related career training opportunities at county vocational-technical schools near you, use the “Find Adult Career Programs” tool.
For More Information About Careers In Construction and Architecture:
O*Net Online has comprehensive information on all types of jobs, including surveys that help people find careers they might enjoy.
Access the Build Your Future website, created by the National Center for Construction Education and Research to provide a valuable resource for anyone considering a career in architecture or the technical trades.
View videos on career pathways in the construction industry:
From US Department of Labor Career One-Stop:
https://www.careeronestop.org/Videos/IndustryVideos/architecture-and-construction-overview.aspx
https://www.careeronestop.org/videos/careeronestop-videos.aspx?videocode=49902100
https://www.careeronestop.org/videos/careeronestop-videos.aspx?videocode=47211100
https://www.careeronestop.org/Videos/CareerVideos/career-videos.aspx
From Working Nation, learn about careers in Construction Management:
https://workingnation.com/i-want-that-job-construction-manager/
Construction Technology and Architecture News
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With the holiday season quickly approaching, students across New Jersey’s county vocational-technical schools are engaged in hands-on learning to support their communities.
Habitat for Humanity and SCVTHS Carpentry Students Partner on Local Project
A group of Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School (SCVTHS) Carpentry students recently assisted a crew from the Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity with a home restoration project in Manville.
Career Classroom: Vocational education benefits all students, employers (ROI-NJ)
As National College Decision Day approaches, the rising cost of college has led to an increased focus on alternate pathways for students. This has long been a goal of the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools (NJCCVTS): promote the value of a career-focused education.
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