If you like working with your hands and want practical skills you can use right away, the Building Trades Career Studies Certificate is designed with you in mind. This short-term, credit-based program focuses on core construction skills and is built to help you enter the workforce quickly or strengthen skills you already have.
This program was created to meet the needs of adults in Southwest Virginia who are looking for entry-level training, skill upgrades, or a way to explore a career in the construction trades.
What You’ll Learn
Through focused coursework, you’ll gain entry-level knowledge in multiple building trades. The program emphasizes hands-on, practical learning that reflects real work on a construction site. Coursework focuses on carpentry, blueprint reading, building codes, masonry, and plumbing.
Safety is also a priority, helping you build good habits from day one.
Program Format and Length
The Building Trades CSC is designed to be completed in just one semester, making it a fast, efficient option for students who want to get started quickly. The program requires a total of 20 credits.
This structure works well for recent high school graduates eager to begin a career path, as well as adult learners balancing school with work and family responsibilities.
Career Preparation
This certificate is designed to prepare you for entry-level positions as a helper, laborer, or apprentice working under the supervision of a master builder. It can also serve as a way for skilled workers to upgrade or refresh their skills, or to explore whether the building trades are the right long-term fit.
Take the Next Step
If you’re ready to build practical skills and explore opportunities in the construction trades, this program can help you get started quickly and confidently.
Connect with an Advisor to talk through your goals and see if the Building Trades Career Studies Certificate is the right fit for you.