Course Description

Building Trades is a field that involves construction of commercial and residential buildings. People taking this class may be interested in designing, architecture, carpentry, plumbing, or electrical. Building Trades is designed to prepare you for either entry-level employment in the construction field or to continue your education. You will learn the basic skills and terminology of the construction field in the areas of carpentry, plumbing, electrical, exterior finishing, drywall, interior and exterior trim, roofing, bidding and estimating, and blueprint reading. The course will allow you to plan, layout, and build a complete residential house in one school year. You will have the hands-on experience of building plus the personal satisfaction from seeing people move into the house you helped build. Approximately 90% of the curriculum is a hands-on approach to learning. The curriculum is designed as a two-year program for high school students or as a one-year program for adult students who enroll on a full-time basis.

Personal Skills

Personal skills include handling many changing duties, making judgments and decisions, and meeting strict standards that can help your skill in building trades grow.

Physical Skills

Physical activities including lifting heavy objects like plywood, pallets, fiberwood. Physical activities also include stooping, kneeling, standing for long periods of time, reach for heavy objects, using hands and fingers, seeing up close, and judging depth and distance.

Continuing Education

The apprenticeship of 2-5 years is highly recommended by most employers as the best way to learn carpentry.

Related Post-Secondary Programs

Carpenter, Apprenticeship and Journeyman Construction Trades, Marine Maintenance and Ship Repairer, and Military.  

Salary Range

The average salary for entry-level carpenters in Missouri is $25,000 ($12.28/hr) with an average of $54,000 ($25.96/hr) for experienced workers. The hourly average wage in Missouri isi $21.40.

Suggested Related H.S. Coursework and Activities

The following courses are available… Art, Business Information Applications/Technology, Language Arts, Algebra, Applied Math, Social Studies, Sciences, Basic Woodworking, Carpentry, Principles of Technology, Basic Drafting, Basic Electronics, Cabinet Making, Occupational Computer Science, Work-Based Training (Co-op/Internship), SkillsUSA

Related Occupations

Maintenance Carpenter, Wooden Boat Builder, Rough Carpenter, Joiner, Shipwright, House Repairer, Drywaller, Roofer, Exterior Finisher, Electrician, Masonry.

Professional Related: Architectural, Drafter.

College Credit

Students maintaining A’s & B’s while completing their Building Trades classes at Pike-Lincoln Technical Center may transfer these credits for 9 semester hours at East Central Community College (Blueprint Reading – BC 1014 – 4 hours; and Carpentry – BC 1045- 5 hours) or receive advanced placement in the Carpenters’ Apprenticeship Program.

Missouri Job Outlook

Employment is projected to change from 35,690 in 2006 to 38,000 by 2016 for a 6.5% increase. It is estimated that 763 average annual job openings will be created by growth and persons leaving the labor force.

Placement

The percentage of our students who, 6 months after their graduation, were continuing their education, or were employed in the workforce, or military.

• 2003 -100%

• 2004 -100%

• 2005 -100%

• 2006 -100%

• 2007 -89%

• 2008 -91%