Residential and Commercial Construction
Career Pathway
Start prepping NOW for your dream job or work-anywhere trade skills!
Build a Strong Foundation for a Rewarding Career in Construction
Are you fascinated with construction and building? Do you find yourself dreaming about architecture or woodwork all day long? Do you love working with your hands? If this sounds like you, then a career in the residential and commercial building and construction industry could be exactly what you’re built for. This program presents a unique and invaluable opportunity to get a head start on your dream career. In addition to providing California state certification in safety and sanitation, the program is ideal for anyone who wants to lay down a strong foundation in the building and construction fields.
What You'll Learn
From 9th grade upward, enroll in A-G approved courses to start preparing for your career in the building and construction industry. Classes include:
- CTE Concentrator Construction - Year 1
- CTE Capstone Construction - Year 2
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 but ever-evolving building and construction industry. Hands-on, immersive experiences include:
- Leadership roles and opportunities
- Guest speaker visits
- Tour of local businesses
- Job-shadowing at local construction sites
- Internship opportunities
Who You Can Be
Kickstart your career path with top-tier academic instruction and industry-leader insights. The Residential and Commercial Construction program prepares you for potential careers such as:
- Architect
- Construction Manager
- Construction Laborer
- Construction Professional
- Job Site Foreman
- Project Manager
- Estimator
Industry Average Wages: $47,000-$130,600
Projected Industry Growth: 14-25%
What You Need to Know
VUSD’s Residential and Commercial Construction CTE pathway prepares students for successful careers in the building and construction industries. In this pathway, students (9th grade and up) learn a wide range of vital skills such as safety planning and design, instruction in woodworking with machine tool operation, wood finishing processes, wood turning lathe, advanced machine tool usage and proper preparation for professional employment. The program is based at Ventura High School and consists of two sequenced year-long courses, a concentrator followed by a capstone.
Students learn and sharpen skills in both individual and group situations and settings, and internship opportunities are also available. Students also take field trips to learn directly from professionals and experience real-world working scenarios at area businesses and construction sites. Students emerge from this information- and experience-rich program with enhanced skills, confidence, safety certification and more.
Once you have gained the skills and knowledge in this pathway, there are many options for your next steps after high school - some you can even begin pursuing before you graduate!
1 Year
Construction Technology: Construction Management Option Certificate - Ventura College
Industrial Technology and Fabrication Certificate - Ventura College
Construction Technology, Electrician Trainee, Proficiency Award - Ventura College
2 Year
Associate in Science in Construction Technology: Building Inspection or Construction Management - Ventura College
4 Year
Bachelor of Science in Construction Management - California State University, Northridge