“Our construction advisory committee stressed the dire need for both men and women to enter the workforce quickly at the ground level.””

David Cain, MCC construction trades program director

In direct response to industry needs, Mesa Community College has launched a construction trades program with the fall 2022 semester.

“We’ve seen tremendous success in our construction management degree and are expanding our support for the industry by adding a construction trades program,” David Cain, Ph.D., MCC construction trades program director, said in a release. “Our construction advisory committee stressed the dire need for both men and women to enter the workforce quickly at the ground level.”

A certificate of completion in construction trades, with specialization in either carpentry or electrical, may be earned in two semesters. The CCL documents an individual’s competencies for employers with career opportunities for individuals with specialized skills.

“Construction isn’t just about swinging a hammer,” says Cain. “Courses include, in part, learning to use construction calculations, blueprint readings and trade-specific codes,” explains Cain. “We dive deep into the study of construction planning and scheduling, design, leadership skills, problem-solving, ethics and of course OSHA 30 safety.”

The initial eight weeks of the fall semester, beginning Au. 23, covers construction safety (CON103), hand and power tools (CON104), construction calculations (CON105) and blueprint reading (CON107, construction drawings introduction). The foundation of construction safety (CON103) is an evening in-person class, the other three are offered online with no specific class days or times so students may progress through the course work at their own pace. The remainder of the first semester features hands-on, in-person training in a new specialized lab at the college’s Southern and Dobson Campus, 1833 W. Southern Ave. in Mesa.

“Our goal is to expand our construction trades CCL offerings in the spring to include plumbing and H.V.A.C.r,” explains Cain.

Learn more about the MCC construction trades program at mesacc.edu/construction.