WHAT is the Building Construction program?

This program challenges students with real work experiences thorugh the construction of a Habitat for Humanity house.  Students learn basic residential home construction skills including constructing the framework of a building; applying shingles and siding; and installing windows, drywall, doors, frames, paneling, trims, cabinets, and stairs.

WHY should I take Building Construction?

Classes at the Saginaw Career Complex are different than those offered at your home high school. You learn by doing—not just reading, listening, and memorizing. And you learn out in the real world, on-the-job, with real people.

The Saginaw Career Complex Building Construction program is a two year program with a variety of instructional settings. There are 1,050 hours of instruction over the two years. Sixty percent of the skill development takes place at the Habitat for Humanity construction site. Twenty-five percent takes place on campus in the Building Construction lab and classroom. The remaining fifteen percent consists of on-the-job instruction through work-based learning such as Exploratory Experience and Co-op job opportunities.

For you, this means the best training available in your field and a guarantee that the skills you're learning are relevant to your job.

You will also earn a competency certificate in Building Construction from the Saginaw Career Complex, which says you've learned actual job skills at high standards set by business and industry. Your parents will love it. So will colleges and employers.

WHAT will I learn in Building Construction?

Advanced study in:
• Industry awareness
• Workshop safety
• Technical communications
• Plan Development
• Hand tools
• Power tools
• Rigging and material handling
• Levels and transits
• Foundations
• Flooring
• Walls and ceilings
• Roofing
• Framing
• Career related computer skills
• Customer service

You will learn these skills in a clean, well-equipped, up-to-date Building Construction lab. You will also learn and practice skills in real work environments.

For more specific areas of study click here to see more about the curriculum

WHAT are my job prospects?

Great! The expansion of metropolitan areas and the development of rural areas create a growing need for skilled workers in this trade. Job openings should be numerous because the occupation is very large and turnover is relatively high. Many openings will arise from the need to replace workers who retire, transfer to other occupations, or who leave the labor force for other reasons.

Your earnings will depend on the size, type and location of your employer, plus your own skills.  Those individuals who are versatile and have mastered many skills will have the best opportunity for steady work.

WHERE can I go after completing the program?

Your training in Building Construction program gives you several exciting options:

• Entry-level employment - Students might begin a career with a residential construction employer.
• Entrepreneurship -Or, by opening up their own business.
• Continued Education -Students can continute their education with the advantage of articulating college credits at the same time they are earning their high school diploma, and they don't have to pay for it! After successfully completing the program, students may articulate credits at Delta College or Ferris State University. The articulation process will give students a head start on their post-secondary education, as well as save them a considerable sum of money. In addition, students are also ready to enter industry/employer-sponsored training programs.

WHO is the teacher?

If enthusiasm is what you are looking for, you are sure to find it in Mr. Lee Greenacre, instructor in the Building Construction program. "Everything about construction is fun--from the very beginning, when there is no foundation, until you open the door on the finished building," says Mr. Greenacre.  Mr. Greenacre certainly knows about construction!  Because his family is in the residential construction business, he has been building things and pounding nails for a very long time.

Mr. Greenacre has combined his passion for the constuction industry with his passion for teaching so that he can give the very best to his students. While his students are learning the construction trade, Mr. Greenacre strives to help them understand the need to work hard to achieve success and the need to incorporate personal management and empolyability skills into their lives too.

In his spare time, Mr. Greenacre can be found utilizing his fine woodworking skills as he builds cabinetry and wooden fixtures to complete the insides of the homes he builds or while building furniture for gifts or for special orders.

WHAT are the admission requirements?

Students admitted to the Building Construction program at the Saginaw Career Complex must:

• Have an interest in residential building and construction
• Be a high school junior or senior
• Be on track for high school graduation
• Have good attendance habits
• Be willing to attend the Saginaw Career Complex or work-based learning facility for half the school day, plus spend additional time doing work-based learning (often paid)

WHAT does it cost?

Nothing! Eligible high school students may attend FREE of charge.

HOW do I enroll?

You can enroll by completing just a few easy steps. Click here to get started:

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