Construction: Creating the Blueprints for Progress

Highway Construction Certificate (pdf pg. 101)

• Program Length: 1 year

• Description: Little Big Horn College’s 30-credit Highway Construction certificate (pdf pg. 101) is designed to help prepare students for successful employment in the construction industry. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to demonstrate practical knowledge of the trucking, commercial passenger industries, as well as highway construction industry, including requisite laws, regulations, operator qualifications, preventative maintenance, controls and basic operational experiences/skills, and work-site safety measures. Additionally, graduates will be well prepared to pass the necessary state licensure exams to attain a Class “A” Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)— as well as other classes of commercial vehicle operations licenses.

Highway Construction Certificate

• Program Length: 1 year

• Description: The Highway Construction Training Program (HCT) at Salish Kootenai College provides students with the necessary technical skills, knowledge, and credentials to obtain employment as entry-level heavy equipment operators and truck drivers. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to meet the needs of employers in the highway construction industry, general road construction, mining operations and related industries, and in tribal, city, county, state, and federal government road maintenance jobs. Students work in a positive learning environment under the supervision of qualified instructors who guide and advise them in conditions that duplicate actual work sites.

Construction Technology Certificate of Technical Studies (C.T.S.)

• Program Length: 1 year

• Description: In City College’s one-year certificate Construction Technology program, students will learn the basics of home construction including framing, roofing, siding, drywall, painting, and trim carpentry through hands-on experience in our construction lab. This technical training will be combined with classroom instruction in essential business management and project planning skills including accounting, entrepreneurship, blueprint reading, estimating, and other basic aspects of construction project management.

Construction Management Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

• Program Length: 2 years

• Description: City College’s A.A.S. in Construction Management provides an opportunity for students to explore more advanced project management. Students also build upon their technical skills with advanced instruction in business management, project planning and coordination, and construction estimating. The combination of these skills will prepare students for advancement from the front lines of construction into management positions and can also provide a pathway to successful small business ownership.

Instrument and Electrical Technician A.A.S.

• Program Length: 2 years

• Description: City College’s Instrument and Electrical Technician degree builds an individual’s knowledge on basic electrical systems, programmable logic controllers and skill sets to inspect, operate and repair instrumentation systems. This program prepares students for challenging and rewarding careers in a variety of industries, oil refineries, petroleum fields, natural gas processing, power plants, water treatment plants, food processing, and sustainable energy industries.

Heating, Ventilation, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC) Apprentice, Certificate of Technical Studies C.T.S

• Program Length: 1 year

• Description: Completion of the HVAC certificate program at Flathead Valley Community College satisfies the Montana Department of Labor and Industry requirement for the educational component of the HVAC apprenticeship program. In conjunction with the required work experience, this program provides students the training necessary to work in the field of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration in residential and commercial applications.

Heavy Equipment Operator C.T.S.

• Program Length: 1 year

• Description: Flathead Valley Community College’s Heavy Equipment Operator C.T.S. program prepares students to enter the equipment operations career field as entry-level operators. The program contains instruction and hands-on experience on bulldozers, backhoes, track excavators, wheel loaders, skid steers, motor graders, rollers, tractors, water tankers, dump trucks, and equipment transports. Students will also gain familiarity in interpreting construction grade stakes, safety procedures, and equipment maintenance. Class “A” Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training and testing are an integral part of this program. Students will have the opportunity to test for a Class B (Bus) license.

Electrical Technology Certificate of Advance Study (C.A.S.) or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

• Program Length(s): C.A.S. = 1 year; A.A.S. = 2 years

• Description: Both the C.A.S. and A.A.S. in FVCC’s Electrical Technology program provide students the training necessary to enter the field of electrical wiring in residential, commercial, and industrial construction sites. Upon successful completion of the first two semesters, the student has met the requirements for the C.A.S. Successful completion of all four semesters meets the requirement for the A.A.S. Graduates are eligible for advanced placement into a registered apprentice position.

Electronics Technician C.T.S. , C.A.S., or A.A.S.

• Program Length(s): C.T.S. = 1 semester (15 weeks); C.A.S. = 1 year; A.A.S. = 2 years

• Description: Flathead Valley Community College’s Electronics Technician program is designed to give students the technical and interpersonal skills necessary for placement into electronics technician positions. Students gain theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience with both basic and advanced electronics including circuits, controllers, and the machine to system interface.

Electrical Apprentice C.T.S.

• Program Length: 8 semesters (up to 4 years)

• Description: Completion of the Electrical Apprentice C.T.S. program satisfies the Montana Department of Labor and Industry requirement for the educational component of the electrical apprenticeship program, and it is intended only for currently registered electrical apprentices. Please note that this program is not eligible for federal financial aid. The program is scheduled for a succession of eight semesters, fall and spring. In conjunction with the required work experience, this program provides students the training necessary to work in the field of electrical wiring in residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

Carpentry Certificate of Applied Science (C.A.S.)

• Program Length: 1 year

• Description: In just two semesters, the Carpentry Certificate of Applied Science (CAS) teaches the many applications of carpentry within the construction trades industry. Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training, you will learn fundamentals and advanced skills in carpentry, including job safety, rough framing, blueprint reading, and finishing. Program graduates will be prepared to immediately enter the workforce at a strong wage and in an industry actively seeking these highly demanded skills.

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Certificate or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

• Program Length: Certificate = 1 year; A.A.S. = 2 years

• Description: Students in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program at Gallatin College MSU have the opportunity to either pursue an one-year Certificate of Applied Science to become a HVAC-R Installer or a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree to work as a HVAC-R Technician. Both degrees teach the theoretical, technical and procedural aspects of working in the HVAC-R industry, with special emphasis on residential systems as well as advanced instruction on commercial systems and new technology. At the end of the program, HVAC-R graduates will be prepared to immediately enter the thriving, lucrative construction industry with vital skills.

Construction Technology – Carpentry Certificate or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

• Program Length: Certificate = 1 year; A.A.S. = 2 years

• Description: Highlands College’s Construction Technology – Carpentry program prepares students for construction industry careers through course work, service-learning projects, and through community service.

Construction Helper Certificate

• Program Length: 1 semester (15 weeks)

• Description: This one-semester Construction Helper certificate program from Missoula College enables graduates to walk out of this program job-site ready, with knowledge of site safety, basic carpentry, and hands-on instruction to site and foundation work. All you'll need is a tool belt.

Carpentry Certificate

• Program Length: 1 year

• Description: In addition to developing teamwork and interpersonal skills needed to succeed in today's workplace, Missoula College’s one-year carpentry certificate will provide you with hands-on working knowledge of basic carpentry skills including site preparation and layout, concrete forming and placement, residential framing, roofing, siding and window installation. This is a great way to gain a number of valuable skills and experience that will introduce you to the carpentry profession.

Heavy Equipment Operation Certificate

• Program Length: 1 year

• Description: From crawler-tractors and backhoes to dump trucks, Missoula College’s Heavy Equipment Operation certificate program will equip you with a basic understanding of fundamental machine function and capabilities as well as apprentice-level skills in the safe operation of heavy equipment. The program also promotes an awareness of proper machine operation in a construction environment with emphasis on the ability to complete a task assigned verbally or from job plans and grade stakes on the site.

Sustainable Construction Certificate or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

• Program Length: Certificate = 1 year; A.A.S. = 2 years

• Description: Learn sustainable construction skills while working hand-in-hand with professionals both on campus and at construction sites with Missoula College’s Sustainable Construction program. You'll gain experience reading blueprints, using hand and power tools, and building construction. You'll construct real-world projects while you earn a Certificate of Applied Science or an Associate of Applied Science degree.

Construction Management Certificate (2-year program)

• Program Length: 2 years

• Description: This two-year program in construction management from Missoula College prepares students to be successful in the construction industry. Many skills are acquired and honed through the program, including safe practices, management and skills competency and the construction of real-world projects. This hands-on education will provide a strong grasp of the ins and outs of construction. If you're eager to learn more after the two years is up, you can seamlessly pursue an associate of applied science degree with just one more year of education.

Electrical Technology Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

• Program Length: 2 years

• Description: MSU-Northern's Electrical Technology program is the only program in the state to offer an Associate of Applied Science in conjunction with the State of Montana Apprenticeship program. The electrical program offers apprentices the opportunity to learn in hands-on courses and covers a major portion of the academic requirements of an apprenticeship. As a result, up to 3,115 hours can be applied toward the total 8,000 required apprenticeship hours, and graduates are prepared to start their career with a firm foundation of knowledge and skill. Graduates of the electrical program will have the capacity to perform basic electrical tasks with the supervision of a journeyman electrician on the first day of work. After approximately two to three years of on-the-job training and one test preparation course, the graduate will be able to apply to sit for their journeyman’s license.

Plumbing Technology A.A.S.

• Program Length: 2 years

• Description: Montana State University Northern’s innovative plumbing degree is the only one of its kind in the state and is broadly supported by Montana's plumbing industry. Graduates enter one of the largest and highest paid construction industries in the country (1.5 million people) and play an important role in keeping our water clean. Northern's plumbing program offers plumbing apprentices the opportunity to learn in hands-on courses and covers a major portion of the academic requirements of an apprenticeship. As a result, the time spent in the classroom can be applied toward the total number of apprenticeship hours and graduates are prepared to start their career with a firm foundation of knowledge and skill.

Building Trades Certificate (2-Year Program)

• Program Length: 2 years

• Description: The Building Trades Certificate program at Stone Child College features courses in carpentry, welding, an introduction to AutoCAD, and more to help prepare students for a fulfilling career in construction.