By Shannon K. Jones
Staff Writer
Looking for a career in building trades? Bay Mills Community College will offer a Construction Technology Program beginning this fall designed to place graduates in jobs using their skills right away.
The implementation of the program was delayed by funding until this year, according to Program Instructor Brent Stark. This spring the funds became available. Soon after, Program Coordinator Bill Bjork began creating a curriculum.
The program will begin this fall and continue until the end of next fall and includes a semester of summer coursework, when much of the building will take place. Students will learn about building materials and equipment care, as well as how to use them. Students will also learn Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards in addition to math and computer coursework.
The first group in the program will work hands-on creating the workshop that will be used for future classes. The workshop will be a 48-foot by 64-foot building where students will pre-fabricate many items to be used in construction. Students will learn framing, roofing, windows, and building walls.
Stark anticipates the students will also build a house as a summer project, taking their knowledge from the classroom into the trade.
Currently, 12 students have expressed a desire to complete the program. Stark said that keeping the class size under 20 is ideal.
Bjork has worked in the area for many years and taught for more than ten years. Stark is a 2003 graduate of LSSU and a certified teacher. He has worked in the building trades for nine years.
Graduates of the course will have the option to receive an associates degree or become certified in the field.
For more information on the Construction Technology Program call 1-800-844-BMCC.
