Start prepping NOW for your dream job or work-anywhere trade skills!
Sharpen Your Mind. Fine-Tune Your Hands.
In an increasingly digital era, there’s something to be said for someone who is exceptionally skilled with their hands. Do you love to work with your hands to bring ideas to life? Are you fascinated by wood and woodworking? If this sounds like you, then a career in the skilled trade industry could play right into your hands. Take a hands-on, deep dive into the fascinating and particular world of cabinet millwork or take a broader approach as you sharpen your skills and hone your hands with find woodworking classes. If you want to break into the skilled trade industry, or even have your eye on a career in construction, this program is worth sinking your teeth (and hands) into.
What You'll Learn
From 9th grade upward, enroll in courses (Fine Woodworking I and Fine Woodworking II are both A-G approved) to start preparing for your skilled trade career. Classes include:
- CTE Intro Fine Woodworking
- CTE Con Fine Woodworking
- CTE Cap Construction Tech: Cabinetry
What You’ll Do
Take what you’re learning in the classroom into the real world and experience for yourself all that awaits you in the time-honored and always-needed skilled trade industry. Hands-on, immersive experiences include:
- Individual projects
- Group projects
- Onsite internship
- Field trips
Who You Can Be
Kickstart your career path with top-tier academic instruction and industry-leader insights. The Building and Construction program prepares you for potential careers such as:
- Furniture Maker
- Carpentry Finisher
- Construction Worker
Industry Average Wages: $50,000
Projected Industry Growth: 4%

What You Need to Know
VUSD’s Building and Construction CTE track prepares students for successful careers in the skilled trade and construction industries, which includes furniture making, carpentry finishing and construction work. Students (grades 9 and up) learn vital skills such as tool safety, project planning, project construction and project finishing, earning a California state Professional Certification. The program is based at Buena High School and leads directly to VUSD’s Skilled Trade/Building and Construction pathway. Students learn and sharpen skills in both individual and group situations and settings. The class also takes a handful of field trips to learn from area professionals, and benefits from an impactful onsite internship. Students emerge from this truly hands-on program with enhanced skills, confidence, Certification and direct access to a powerful pathway.
Get a jump start on your college future by earning college credits and valuable real-world skills you can use for college and career.
2 Year
AS Construction Management - Ventura College
4 Year
BS Construction Management - CSU Channel Islands