Construction Technology
From Foundations to Finishes
Each year in CR’s Construction Technology program, students from multiple certificate tracks come together to build a house from the ground up. Residential Construction students lay the foundation, build the walls, roof, doors, and windows, while Electrician Trainees wire the house. Cabinetmaking students craft and install custom cabinets, and Solar Technology students handle the installation of solar panels and hot water systems. Once completed, the house is sold, and the proceeds fund next year’s project. You can’t get more hands-on than this!
| medal Icon Construction Technology | Associate of Science |
|---|---|
| medal Icon Cabinetmaking and Millwork | Certificate of Achievement |
| medal Icon Electrician Trainee | Certificate of Achievement |
| medal Icon Residential Construction I | Certificate of Achievement |
| medal Icon Residential Construction II | Certificate of Achievement |
| medal Icon Residential Wiring | Certificate of Recognition |
| medal Icon Solar Photovoltaic Technician | Certificate of Recognition |
Program Information
The goal of CR’s Residential Construction program is to get you to work. First year students will build a house – you’ll pour the concrete, frame the floor, walls and roof, install the roof and wall sheathing, install exterior trim, and frame and install windows. Second year students will continue developing their carpentry skills while also gaining management experience overseeing the crew and adding skills such as construction layout and cost estimation.
We provide the local residential construction industry with a professionally trained workforce by preparing students with experience in the procedures, techniques, and processes of carpentry. The Associate of Science Degree satisfies one and a half years of the four-year experience requirement for a California contractor’s license.
Our Cabinet Making Certificate provides students an opportunity to work with the same modern industrial equipment that is used in professional cabinet shops and wood shops around the nation. You’ll get hands-on, practical experience by building and installing all the cabinets in the CR student-built house and you’ll graduate ready to join the workforce as an expert in your field.
Topics include the safe use of power equipment and hand tools, cabinetmaking methods, cabinet layout, joinery, casework, drawers, doors and shelves, counter tops and installation.
The Solar Technology Program offers certificates in both Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Technologies. The entry-level program will teach you everything you need to know as you begin your career in solar technology. After foundational solar theory discussions in the classroom, you’ll quickly move on to applied instruction by installing the solar panels and solar hot water heater on the CR student-built house.
Both of our certificate options provide training in basic residential construction, electrical wiring including electrical theory, residential wiring circuits, blueprint reading, materials selection, installation methods and basic code requirements. Both certificates include an OSHA certification.
Students who complete either Solar Technician Certificate are fully prepared to pass State of California certification examinations.
Did you know that you need an Electrician Trainee card to do any electrical work for a contractor in California? At CR we guide you through the state-mandated process to enroll as an Electrician Trainee so you can work side-by-side with a licensed electrician to wire the CR student built house.
During this four-semester program, you will become OSHA certified, understand the National Electric Code, and learn a variety of skills including electrical theory, residential wiring, blueprint reading, heating, solar, and alarms and security systems.
The Electrician Trainee Certificate fully prepares students for State of California certification examinations for electrician licensing.