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Residential Construction Overview

Build your future with CVTC’s Residential Construction program. Your construction training will be hands-on and will include building a full-scale home under the supervision of an experienced instructor. You can earn a technical diploma in one year and start your career.

The construction classes will cover:

  • Construction concepts from blueprint reading to roofing
  • Estimating (residential)
  • Energy conservation

You will gain the following skills:

  • Construction safety
  • Blueprint reading
  • Framing
  • Building stair systems
  • Roofing
  • Estimating (residential)
  • Planning construction
  • Building for sustainability
  • Installing doors and windows
  • Building for energy conservation
  • Finishing exterior and interior
  • Installing cabinets

Students spend 20 hours a week at the project site constructing a home. The other time is spent in the classroom reinforcing concepts used at the project site.

Career Opportunities

Builder

Carpenter

Construction Estimator

Framer

General Laborer

Roofer

Graduate Employers

Ashley Construction

C&M Construction

Dutch Enterprises

J&J Construction

Lake County Builders Inc

Rich Lien Homebuilders

Just the Facts

Residential Construction
33 Credit Technical Diploma

Length of Program //
One Year

Delivery Method //

Program Location //
Eau Claire and River Falls

Program Location //
August

Start Months //
August

Start Dates //
August

 

Financial Aid Eligible

 

Non-Traditional Occupation

Estimated Program Cost 

Term 1

$

2,632

Term 2

$

2,818

Tools/Materials

$

1,600

Books

$

150

 Estimated Total: $7,200

  Earn credit for prior learning! Do you have previous educational or work experience in the field? You could be eligible to receive credit for prior learning. Explore your options today!

Program Courses

These are a few of the courses you can take in the Residential Construction program.

Framing Methods/Building the Envelope
Students will learn the fundamentals of planning, layout, and rough framing. By the end of the course, students will develop the skills to frame a structure and apply the “Energy Star and Green Certification” requirements to residential construction.

Roof Systems and Stairs
The major emphasis of this course will be on roof systems, from hand framing simple gable roofs to advanced intersecting roofs using trusses and stair design, layout, and installation.

Finish Carpentry Interior/Exterior
This course introduces the student to the basic methods of selecting and installing interior trim, doors, cabinets, exterior soffit and wall finishes, and building decks.

Earn Credentials Along the Way

Career Pathways 

Career Pathways are a clear, manageable way to access education that provides employer-recognized, stackable credentials tied to specific jobs, education, and career progression. Career Pathways are beneficial to high school students and teachers, parents, adult students, and employers.

Residential Construction Outcomes

CVTC graduates are ready for the workforce. Each year, we send our graduates the Graduate Follow-Up Survey asking where they are working, whether it is in their degree field, and several other questions related to employment. Below are the program outcomes and job data.

// Program Outcomes
 

82%
Employed

82% of our recent Residential Construction graduates got a job in the industry.

 

$40K
Yearly Salary

Our recent Residential Construction graduates reported an average starting salary of $40,190.

 

390
Regional Jobs

There are 390 job openings in the CVTC district for the Residential Construction industry.

 

Transfer
Credits to Other Institutions

Transfer your CVTC credits to another institution to continue your education. Explore transfer agreements.

 

Focus On Student Success

The CVTC Residential Construction program is a lot of fun and it’s rewarding. You can step back and say, ‘I helped build this house from the top to the bottom.’

Tyler, Residential Construction Student

Related Programs & Certificates

Whether you're looking to continue your learning to another program or to gain continuing education credit, CVTC offers a variety of learning opportunities for students.
 

Continue Your Learning

CVTC can help you achieve your learning goals whether you are looking to advance your career or enrich your personal life.

// Explore Continuing Ed Opportunities

  Unsure of which program you'd like to go into? Learn more about our Career Assessment to help narrow down your options.