Building Trades Skills Guide
Recommended High School Level Background Courses
- *General Math
- Industrial Arts
- Woods
- *Geometry
- Drafting
* Courses available in the Academic Achievement Center or High School Completion Center
Basic Skills in the Program and on the Job
Reading
Textbooks in this program are used by most students as supplements to lectures, with tests based primarily on lecture material. These texts are written at approximately an eleventh to twelfth grade reading level. Construction blueprint reading is taught in a first-term course; this specific reading skill is central to the building trades field.
After graduation, students who choose to enter the union apprenticeship program can expect to study material data sheets, information on hazardous chemicals and OSHA safety guidelines.
View more information on reading skills in the Building Trades program.
Language
The required English course for this program is Communication Skills (COM 703). Other coursework does not include speaking or writing activities.
On the job, entry-level workers will interact with other workers. Those who move into lead positions will also interact with customers, so for them one-to-one speaking skills will be important.
View more information on language skills in the Building Trades program.
Math
Students take the required math course, Applied Math (MAT 772), in their first term. By the end of the semester, they will be using math skills in their other coursework to do estimating. Measuring in the English system and working with fractions are central to this career. Other math activities include computing cubic footage of concrete and converting decimals to fractions when working with rafters.
Students who move on into union apprenticeships will need trig skills. Pay increases in union work are based on tests of math skills.
View more information on math skills in the Building Trades program.
Learning
Notetaking and time management skills are helpful to students in their coursework. The primary thinking skill used on the work site is following sequential instructions. Such skills as developing sequential instructions, making careful observations and solving problems will be important for those graduates who move into lead positions.
View more information on learning skills in the Building Trades program.
Computer
Computer use in this field includes inventory software in lumberyards and auto-CAD training in the union apprenticeship program. Some companies now fax changes in plans to the work site, so workers learn to take drawings off a fax-modem.
View more information on computer skills in the Building Trades program.
Ankeny