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Architecture &Construction

The Architecture and Construction Career Cluster focuses on designing, planning, managing, building, and maintaining the built environment. Principles of Architecture provides an overview of various fields of architecture, interior design, and construction management.

Architecture & Construction
Building it right

pathway 01

Architectural Design

The high school CTE Architectural Design program of study explores the occupations and educational opportunities associated with developing, engineering, and designing structures and facilities. This program of study may also include collecting and interpreting geographic information, researching and preparing maps, and interior design.

Work-Based Learning

  • Shadow an architect, interior designer or civil engineer
  • Participate in SkillsUSA
  • Intern at an architectural firm

High School Certifications

  • Autodesk Associate (Certified User) 3ds MAX
  • Autodesk Associate (Certified User & Professional) AutoCAD
  • Autodesk Associate (Certified User & Professional) Fusion 360
  • Autodesk Associate (Certified User) Revit Architecture
  • Autodesk Associate (Certified User) Revit for Electrical
  • Autodesk Associate (Certified User) Revit for Structural Design
  • Autodesk Certified Professional in AutoCAD for Design and Drafting
  • Autodesk Certified Professional & Certified User in Civil 3D for Infrastructure Design
  • Autodesk Certified Professional in Revit for Architectural Design
  • Autodesk Certified Professional in Revit for Electrical Design
  • Autodesk Certified Professional in Revit for Structural Design
  • Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate (CSWA) - Electrical
  • Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate (CSWA) & Professional (CSWP) - Academic
  • Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional (CSWP) - Drawing Tools
  • Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional (CSWP) - Model Based Definition
  • Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate (CSWA) & Professional (CSWP)- Simulation
  • Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate (CSWA- Sustainability
  • LEED Green Associate

Architectural Design Salary Information

OccupationAverage Salary ↕
Architects$77,043
Geographic Information Analysts and Surveyors$58,926
Architectural/Civil Drafters$50,170
Construction Managers$87,402
Download the Architectural Design guide ↓

pathway 02

Carpentry

The Carpentry high school CTE program of study explores the occupations and educational opportunities related to constructing, installing, or repairing structures and fixtures made of wood, such as concrete forms (including frameworks, partitions, joists, studding, rafters, and stairways). This program of study may also include exploration into installing, dismantling, or moving machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.

Work-Based Learning

  • Shadow a carpenter or millwright
  • Participate in SkillsUSA
  • Obtain an NCCER certification in Millwright Level 1 or Carpentry Level 1

High School Certifications

  • HBI Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT), Basic Carpentry
  • HBI Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT), Core
  • HBI Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT), Green Core
  • NCCER Carpentry Level I
  • NCCER Carpentry Level II
  • NCCER Commercial Carpenter
  • NCCER Construction Technology Certification Level I
  • NCCER Core
  • NCCER Painting: Commercial and Residential Level I

Carpentry Salary Information

OccupationAverage Salary ↕
Carpenters$35,922
Cost Estimators$63,939
Download the Carpentry guide ↓

pathway 03

Construction Management and Inspection

The high school CTE Construction Management and Inspection program of study explores the occupations and educational opportunities associated with cost estimates for construction projects or services to aid management in bidding on or determining the price of products or services. Construction Management and Inspection studies may also include exploration into inspecting structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations.

Work-Based Learning

  • Shadow a building inspector or cost estimator
  • Participate in SkillsUSA
  • Intern with a construction company
  • Shadow a project manager or inspector

High School Certifications

  • Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
  • HBI Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT), Building Construction Technology
  • HBI Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT), Core
  • LEED Green Associate
  • NCCER Construction Site Safety Technician
  • NCCER Construction Technology Certification Level I
  • NCCER Core
  • NCCER Weatherization Technician Level I
  • Residential Plans Examiner - R3

Construction Management and Inspection Salary Information

OccupationAverage Salary ↕
Construction and Building Inspectors$53,914
Cost Estimators$63,939
Construction Managers$87,402
Download the Construction Management and Inspection guide ↓

pathway 04

Electrical

The CTE Electrical high school program of study explores the occupations and educational opportunities associated with installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. The Electrical program of study may also include exploration into installing and repairing telecommunications cable, including fiber optics.

Work-Based Learning

  • Shadow an electrician or fiber optics line installer
  • Participate in SkillsUSA
  • Intern for or shadow an electrician

High School Certifications

  • C-200 Certified Industry 4.0 Automation Systems Specialist I - 201 Electrical Systems 1
  • Electrical Apprenticeship Certificate Level 1
  • HBI Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT), Basic Electrical
  • HBI Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT), Core
  • NCCER Commercial Electrician
  • NCCER Construction Technology Certification Level I
  • NCCER Core
  • NCCER Electrical Level I
  • NCCER Electrical Level II
  • NCCER Electronic System Technician Level I
  • NCCER Electronic System Technician Level II
  • TRIO Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship (EPP) Certification

Electrical Salary Information

OccupationAverage Salary ↕
Electrical Linemen$54,184
Electricians$44,013
Electrical and Electronics Installers$37,544
Security and Fire Alarm Installers$43,638
Telecommunication Line Installers and Repairers$49,150
Download the Electrical guide ↓

pathway 05

HVAC and Sheet Metal

The high school CTE HVAC and Sheet Metal program of study explores the occupations and educational opportunities associated with installing, serving, or repairing heating and air conditioning systems. The program also studies the fabrication, assembly, installation, and repair of sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. The HVAC and Sheet Metal program may also include exploration into preparing cost estimates for certain construction projects involving heating and air conditioning and sheet metal.

Work-Based Learning

  • Shadow an HVAC worker or cost estimator
  • Participate in SkillsUSA
  • Intern with an HVAC and/or sheet metal company

High School Certifications

  • Employment Ready Certification - Air Conditioning
  • Employment Ready Certification - Electrical
  • Employment Ready Certification - Gas Heat
  • Employment Ready Certification - Heat Pumps
  • Employment Ready Certification - Light Commercial Air Conditioning
  • Heating, Electrical, & Air Conditioning Technology (H.E.A.T)
  • HBI Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT), Core
  • HBI Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT), Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
  • CCER Construction Technology Certification Level I
  • NCCER Core
  • NCCER Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Level I
  • NCCER Sheet Metal Level I
  • Refrigerant Handling (EPA 608)

HVAC and Sheet Metal Salary Information

OccupationAverage Salary ↕
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics$41,808
Sheet Metal Workers$37,419
Cost Estimators$63,939
Download the HVAC and Sheet Metal guide ↓

pathway 06

Masonry

The high school CTE Masonry program of study explores the occupations and educational opportunities related to laying and binding materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete block, and other types of mortar and substances to construct or repair walls and other structures. Masonry may also include exploration into raising and uniting iron or steel to form completed structures or structural frameworks and building structures using stone.

Work-Based Learning

  • Job shadow a brickmason, stonemason, or ironworker
  • Participate in SkillsUSA
  • Intern with a person working within masonry

High School Certifications

  • HBI Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT), Brick Masonry
  • HBI Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT), Core
  • NCCER Core
  • NCCER Masonry, Level I
  • NCCER Masonry, Level II
  • NCCER Masonry, Level II

Masonry Salary Information

OccupationAverage Salary ↕
Brickmasons and Blockmasons$44,013
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$32,739
Cost Estimators$63,939
Download the Masonry guide ↓

pathway 07

Plumbing and Pipefitting

The Plumbing and Pipefitting high school CTE program of study explores the occupations and educational opportunities related to assembling, installing, or repairing pipes, fittings, or fixtures of heating, water, or drainage systems. This program of study can include maintaining pipe supports or related hydraulic or pneumatic equipment for steam, hot water, heating, cooling, lubricating, sprinkling, or industrial production or processing systems.

Work-Based Learning

  • Job shadow a plumber, pipefitter, or steamfitter
  • Participate in SkillsUSA
  • Obtain a Core Curriculum NCCER certification in Pipefitting Level I or Plumbing Level I

High School Certifications

  • HBI Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT), Core
  • Industrial Technology Maintenance (ITM) - Maintenance Piping
  • NCCER Core
  • NCCER Industrial Pipefitter
  • NCCER Pipefitting, Level I
  • NCCER Plumbing, Level II
  • NCCER Construction Technology Certification Level I
  • Tradesman Plumber – Limited

Plumbing and Pipefitting Salary Information

OccupationAverage Salary ↕
Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$63,710
Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters$44,928
Helpers-Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$30,098
Pipe Installers$31,616
Download the Plumbing and Pipefitting guide ↓
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