Description
A strong demand for workers continues in the building trades and construction industry sector, and that demand increases as populations, businesses, and local economies expand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction is among the top ten of the nation’s industries, constituting almost 5 percent of the total national gross domestic product. In California, the long-term (2004–2014) occupational projection for the building trades and construction industry includes a need to fill 17,790 new jobs and provide 17,920 replacement workers as members of the current workforce. In some trades, in California, an increase of more than 30 percent in the number of available jobs is expected over the next ten years. Nationally, more than one million construction jobs will be created over the next decade, with job categories ranging from laborers to engineers to contractors.
In building trades and construction industry sector classes, activities range from general or exploratory skills to job-specific skills that prepare students to select and pursue career paths through postsecondary training, work experience education, apprenticeships, and postsecondary education. The classes incorporate and apply academic core content to career-related education. These interdisciplinary approaches provide students with strong foundation skills and advanced skills in the career field of their choice, allowing students to exit programs and enter occupations directly or pursue further specialty training.
Building Trades and Construction Industry Sector Program Summary
Building Trades and Construction Industry Sector Pathways
- Cabinetmaking and Wood Products
- Engineering and Heavy Construction
- Mechanical Construction
- Residential and Commercial Construction
Sample of Career Technical Education Courses
Illustrates: education level, and related occupations for cabinetmaking and wood products, engineering and heavy construction, mechanical construction, and residential and commercial construction.
Resources
- California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standard (PDF; 2 MB; 441pp.) May 2005 Edition
- Career Technical Education Framework for California Public Schools (PDF; 5 MB; 484pp.)
- CA Partnership Academies
The academy model is a three-year program, grades ten through twelve, structured as a school-within-a-school. Academies incorporate integrated academic and career technical education, business partnerships, mentoring, and internships. - CDE Apprenticeship Programs
Apprenticeship is a system of learning while earning, and "learning by doing." It combines training on the job with related and supplemental instruction at school. - SkillsUSA (Outside Source)
Since 1965 SkillsUSA has provided leadership training to students and instructors in the career and technical education arena. - Additional Resources
A list of additional resources for building trades and construction industries.
Contact Information
Lloyd McCabe, Ed.D, Education Administrator I
John Dunn, Education Programs Consultant
Career
Technical Education Leadership and Instructional Support Office
Career and College Transition Division
California Department of California
1430 N Street, Suite 4503
Sacramento, CA 95814
