About the CareerASSOCIATE DEGREE IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY
About the CareerImagine the tremendous sense of pride construction professionals feel when they see the fruits of their labor…a building that will stand for dozens of years. If you have a knack for design, enjoy hands-on work, and like to be outdoors, then the Construction career field may be for you.
The construction industry continues to have a high demand for qualified workers. This means that skilled professionals can make a very good living in the construction field. Ever thought of becoming your own boss? Construction is one of the few industries in which many employees begin as an apprentice and end up owning their own business.
Building construction plays a vital role in South Carolina’s growing economy. Skilled laborers are always needed in a wide range of professional areas including general contractors, framers, carpenters and building inspectors. Many workers start as apprentices, working under someone who has a license. Because construction technology is such a broad and ever-changing field, it pays to have some degree of formal training beyond an apprenticeship.
About the ProgramThis program is designed specifically to train the next generation of building construction professionals – from homebuilders and site personnel and superintendents. Building Construction Technology, a partnership between the college and local contractors, provides instruction for both current construction professionals and those wishing to enter the field.
Training is based on a set of detailed skill standards from the nation’s leaders in the construction industry. Students learn to build with a “zero-defect” construction philosophy. This means that a commitment to flawless workmanship and unparalleled quality is the heart of all training activities. Eighty percent of the training is in the field, where students will experience hands-on training in blueprint reading, layout, frame assembly, door and window installation, estimating, scheduling, and other job site duties. On-the-job experience comes from project sites of area contractors working in the community. Working on-site gives students the opportunity to see how the construction team works, communicates and is managed.
Graduates of the Building Construction Technology program are not limited to only one or two career opportunities. The following careers are just a few examples: superintendent, project management, lead personnel, sales, remodeling, residential and commercial contractors, sub-contractors, and building inspectors… etc. In the field of construction supervision, workers advance by degrees from construction supervisor to the professional, senior, and master level.
