Learning Services in Building Construction: A Comprehensive Overview

The building construction industry is a dynamic field that demands a diverse skillset and a commitment to continuous learning. Learning services play a crucial role in equipping individuals with the knowledge and abilities necessary to thrive in this sector. These services encompass a wide range of educational and training opportunities, from formal degree programs to specialized certifications, and cater to various career paths within the construction industry.

Educational Pathways in Building Construction Technology

Several educational pathways are available for individuals seeking careers in building construction. These pathways provide a foundation in technical knowledge, practical skills, and industry best practices.

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Building Construction Technology

An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Building Construction Technology is a comprehensive program that teaches students how to follow procedures and plan and complete work on construction projects. These programs often feature hands-on learning experiences, such as building full-size mock-ups of houses in a construction laboratory, as offered by Ivy Tech.

Ivy Tech's Building Construction Technology program emphasizes hands-on and service-learning experiences, including courses that prepare students for national certification. To help ensure that students gain the skills and knowledge that employers need, the Ivy Tech Building Construction Technology program partners with local businesses. All courses in the Ivy Tech Building Construction Technology program incorporate National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certifications.

Technical Certificates (TC) and Certificates (CT)

Technical Certificates (TC) and Certificates (CT) provide focused training in specific areas of building construction. These certificates can serve as a gateway into entry-level positions or complement an AAS degree. For instance, at Ivy Tech, students working toward an AAS in Building Construction Technology can complete one of the certificates (CT) in the program on the way to getting their degree.

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Examples of specialized certificates offered by Ivy Tech include:

Electrical Specialist Technical Certificate (TC) / Certificate (CT): Provides the foundation for a career as an electrician.
Carpentry Specialist Technical Certificate (TC) / Certificate (CT): Teaches students to use construction tools and skills. Carpentry Specialist is part of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs degree program, funded by the Workforce Ready Grant.
Building Construction Management Specialist Technical Certificate (TC) / Certificate (CT): Teaches students how to estimate and plan for the administration of construction projects. Building Construction Management Specialist is part of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs degree program, funded by the Workforce Ready Grant.

These certificate programs are designed to provide a gateway into entry-level building construction technology careers.

Certifications in Building Construction

In addition to formal education, certifications play a vital role in demonstrating competency and enhancing career prospects in the construction industry.

International Code Council (ICC) General Contractor Credential

The International Code Council (ICC) General Contractor Credential, also known as the National Standard Building Contractor certification, is highly valued in the industry. This certification can benefit anyone working in the construction field, as it provides students with knowledge of the building code that governs how companies build in the industry and what materials/methods are used. The International Code Council (ICC) General Contractor Workforce Certification can be obtained by students pursuing one of our associate degrees, but students can also enroll for a single class if they are just needing the certification.

OSHA 10-Hour Workforce Certification

The OSHA 10-Hour Workforce Certification is another valuable credential that demonstrates a commitment to safety on construction sites. This certification can benefit anyone working on a construction site, as it covers practices for general construction job site safety. The OSHA 10-Hour Workforce Certification can be obtained by students pursuing one of our associate degrees, but students can also enroll for a single class if they are just needing the certification.

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Hands-on Learning and Service-Learning

Hands-on learning and service-learning experiences are integral components of effective building construction education. These approaches allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, develop practical skills, and contribute to their communities.

The Building Construction Technology program at Ivy Tech emphasizes hands-on and service-learning experiences, including courses that prepare students for national certification. Students build full-size mock-ups of houses in our construction laboratory.

Career Opportunities in Building Construction

Graduates of building construction programs can pursue a wide range of career opportunities in the construction industry.

Building and Property Maintenance Technicians

Building and Property Maintenance Technicians are responsible for maintaining and repairing various systems within a building, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and equipment. Additionally, they perform tasks such as painting, roof repairs, locksmithing, and drywall installations. This career field encompasses a wide range of buildings and properties, such as office complexes, apartment buildings, industrial parks, retail outlets, schools, hospitals, and hotels. Building and Property Maintenance Technicians support the operation, inspection, and maintenance of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing equipment and systems in both commercial and residential buildings.

Civil Construction and Heavy Highway Equipment Operators

Civil construction and heavy highway equipment operators typically manage equipment like bulldozers, excavators, graders, loaders, and dump trucks. Responsibilities may involve operating equipment to transport earth, materials, or equipment, conducting routine maintenance and repairs, adhering to safety protocols, and collaborating with construction team members. This career path offers hands-on experience, skill development in equipment operation, and involvement in enhancing transportation networks.

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The Civil Construction and Heavy Highway Equipment program provides instruction in essential skills such as safety, site work, heavy equipment operations, paving, earthmoving, hand tools, and traffic regulations to ready learners for the workplace. It also involves operating heavy machinery necessary for constructing and maintaining highways, roads, bridges, and infrastructure projects.

Other Construction Trades

Graduates of Ivy Tech's Building Construction Technology program can seek jobs in a variety of trades in the construction industry.

Adapting to Change: Virtual Learning in Construction

The construction industry, like many others, has had to adapt to changing circumstances, including the shift to virtual learning.

Pre-pandemic, the most utilized method of learning and development (L&D) for construction companies was ILT (instructor-led training) in a physical classroom. However, the unexpected arrival of COVID-19 required companies to make the rapid switch to a fully virtual training and development model. Sellen Construction and Consigli Construction were two companies faced with the challenge of upending their entire learning program whilst retaining the advantages of a well-formed curriculum. An unanticipated benefit was the interest and additional opportunities that opened up as a result of this culture change.

Open Educational Resources (OER)

Open Educational Resources (OER) provide accessible and affordable learning materials for students and professionals in building construction.

These are examples of several Building Construction Technology-related OER:

The National Institute of Building Sciences is developing the Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG). While not yet complete, there is already a substantial knowledge base for building professionals to draw upon. The purpose of WBDG is to help designers "improve the performance and quality of their buildings by following the guidance and recommendations provided within the categories of this web site." There are sections for specific building types and design objectives. Eventually, WBDG will have a broader range of categories, as well as a separate section devoted to products and systems.
OER Commons: A dynamic digital library and network.
Openly Available Sources Integrated Search (OASIS): A search tool that aims to make the discovery of open content easier.
The US Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) program has created SkillsCommons: a free and open online library containing free and open learning materials and program support materials for job-driven workforce development.
The Open Education Consortium in collaboration with MERLOT: offers a search engine on OER. MERLOT is a curated collection of free and open online teaching, learning, and faculty development services contributed and used by an international education community.
The Teaching Commons: brings together high-quality open educational resources from leading colleges and universities.
Excelsior College OWL: is unique in its multimedia support for writers.
Department of Education.
The California Open Education Resources Council, a collaboration among UC, CSU and CCC faculty, is facilitating the peer review of open textbooks which are showcased in the California Open Source Digital Library (COOL4Ed).
MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW): is a web-based publication of virtually all MIT course content.

Course Examples

This course is a comprehensive study of the principles of Construction Technology. It applies the concepts of modern carpentry, engineering and technology, utilizing the framework of green and sustainability to residential and commercial construction. This is an introductory course intending to define and apply basic principals of building and how to incorporate high efficiency, high performance, sustainability, recycling and environmental stewardship into each stage.

Applying to Building Construction Programs: The Ivy Tech Example

Ivy Tech offers a streamlined application process for its Building Construction Technology program.

The Ivy Tech application is free and easy-you don’t need a certain test score, GPA, or class rank to get started at Ivy Tech. Ivy Tech does not have a deadline for admission. Our 8-week class sessions start throughout the year-in January, March, June, August, and October-and there is no hard deadline for applying for any of the start dates. It's important, though, to apply early enough that you'll be able to complete all the degree planning, financial aid, and registration activities that need to happen before your first day.

If you’ve never applied to Ivy Tech Community College before (or if it’s been two years since you last attended classes here), your first step is to apply to Ivy Tech. You can apply online or in person. To apply in person, reach out to your local admissions team and arrange a meeting. After you submit your application, you'll be asked to upload documentation-such as SAT/ACT/PSAT scores or high school and college transcripts-that can assess your readiness for college-level coursework and help us make sure you are taking classes that are the right fit for you. If you don't have your scores or transcripts at your fingertips, don’t worry. Go ahead and submit your application.

MyIvy is Ivy Tech's online student portal. Before you can register for classes you will need to submit documentation or complete an assessment test. If you submitted assessment documentation during the application process, your advisor will likely be able to work with those documents to determine course placement and you won't need to take any further steps. If you don't have any of those documents or the scores don't meet minimum thresholds, don’t worry! Once you have completed the steps above, you may register for classes. Ivy Tech students register for courses using the Schedule Builder tool which can be accessed within MyIvy. After registering for your courses, your bill can be viewed in your MyIvy account > Student Dashboard- > View/Pay Balance. Payments can also be made in your MyIvy account. TR grades are not recognized by the online application.

Pathway Description

Pathway Description: These curriculums are designed to prepare individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the fields of architecture, construction, construction management, and other associated professions. Course work includes instruction in sustainable building and design, print reading, building codes, estimating, construction materials and methods, and other topics related to design and construction occupations. Graduates of this pathway should qualify for entry-level jobs in architectural, engineering, construction and trades professions as well as positions in industry and government. Building Construction Technology: A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to residential and commercial building construction and remodeling.

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