Residential Construction Professional Technical Education Program

What is this program?

The Jim Woodyard Residential Construction Program, located at the Wood River High School campus, is a unique hands on experience two-year program funded by -- a school within a school.  The program is designed to teach college or career bound students residential carpentry skills, safe work practices, a sound work ethic, and more.  Students are provided opportunities to explore numerous other construction-related summer jobs and careers.

Construction Professional Technical Education Program trainees team with local professionals in the construction trades to learn the basics of many aspects of the industry.  They work in laboratory and job site environments to practice their new-found skills.

Students completing the program will have earned Home Builders Institute and OSHA certifications.  He or she will be prepared to directly enter the construction industry workforce and/or continue with advanced studies at the Community College and University level.

Who May Qualify?

A student interested in exploring the career opportunities in the construction industry may qualify to enter this program if he or she:

• Is willing to commit to taking two classes per day for each semester during their junior and senior years.
• Has maintained a good attendance record at the WRHS so far and will continue to do so.
• Will consider working in the construction trades as an intern during the summer between his or her junior and senior years.

This Professional Technical Education Program is designed for students interested in becoming good at using hand and power tools to build and repair homes for themselves; to get good (and interesting) summer work; to begin a construction career; or to use as a stepping stone toward an advanced degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, business and more.  Students participate in classroom, hands-on lab projects, construction site visits, and even actual home construction.

Course Offering

To see a sample scope and sequence of the Jim Woodyard Residential Construction Professional Technical Education Program, click here.

Program Courses:

In the Classroom

Construction Professional Technical Education Program trainees study many phases of construction including blueprint reading, materials, estimating, rough and finish carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and more.

In the Lab

Trainees participate in hands-on lab exercises under the guidance of local professionals. They develop skills in the use of hand and power tools, a put these skills to work in the construction of floors, walls, ceilings, roofs and other phases of construction.

On the Job Site

Trainees visit local job sites to witness firsthand the building process.  Also, on their own job sites, students work in teams, and with the help of local professionals, to construct actual buildings from the ground up.