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Programs: High School | Adult Skilled Trades | Industry Professional Development

Build Your Future

wmci's high school Construction program

a collection of craft trades icons relating to carpentry, plumbing, electrical, etc.
Why Enroll?
Available Courses
Enrollment Process
Enrollment FAQs
Student Services

High School Program Overview​

WMCI’s high school program is a state-approved career and technical education (CTE) program allowing students to receive high school credit while attending the program. Students attend WMCI courses during their regular school day. For students wishing to continue toward their trade certification, WMCI courses function like dual enrollment, allowing them to continue their training at WMCI after high school graduation.

Courses are open to high school juniors and seniors, held onsite at the Institute, and run for a full academic year. 

Note: Students must enroll in the program through their school counselor & Kent Career Technical Center.

Hear the story of how High School program graduate Keunte Swarn used the skills he developed at WMCI to launch his career!

Why enroll?

Figuring out what to do after graduating high school can be a difficult and often stressful process. WMCI offers a unique opportunity to explore multiple skilled trades BEFORE graduation so students can gain confidence on their decision all while developing lifelong construction and employability skills.

6 Reasons Why High School Students Enroll at WMCI:

Hands-on Learning

Students gain hands-on experience by working with tools in the construction labs - bridging the gap between knowledge and real world application.

Industry Expert Instructors

Each high school course is taught by a top West Michigan construction professional with years of experience in their trade or by state certified experts in their field.

WMCI students shadowing a foreman on a construction site visit.

Industry Job Shadows

Students have the opportunity to explore various trades through onsite job shadow experiences with industry professionals.

Group of WMCI students at their graduation ceremony

National Certification

Students graduate with several nationally recognized certifications including: NCCER Core, OSHA 10, First Aid/CPR & NCCER Carpentry or Electrical credentials.

WMCI Students on a field trip to experience an active, commercial, construction jobsites.

Jobsite Tours

Students will have hands on field trip experiences on active, commercial, construction job sites.

A WMCI graduate shakes hands with his instructor during the graduation ceremony.

Employability Skills

Students will have opportunities to interview with industry employers seeking to hire skilled candidates.

Available Courses

The WMCI curriculum is designed as a rigorous, competency-based, industry recognized program for career and technical education. Completing this program gives the student the basic skills needed to jump into the commercial construction industry.

We currently offer two options. While students will learn the basics in both, they can choose between a focus in two high-demand skilled trades: Carpentry and Electrical. 

CORE + Carpentry

CORE + Carpentry is a competency-based, hands-on curriculum nationally recognized through NCCER certification. While the program focuses on the carpentry trade, graduates will gain the skills they need to continue education in any craft area they choose. 

Course Details

Transportation: Arranged through school district or provided by student.

Credit: High school credit and industry certifications earned.

Enrollment: Students must enroll via their school counselor through the KCTC portal starting in February.

Course Curriculum

Modules:

  • BASIC SAFETY
  • INTRODUCTION TO CONSTRUCTION MATH
  • INTRODUCTION TO HAND TOOLS
  • INTRODUCTION TO POWER TOOLS
  • INTRODUCTION TO CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS
  • BASIC COMMUNICATION SKILLS
  • BASIC EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
  • INTRODUCTION TO MATERIALS HANDLING
  • INTRODUCTION TO BUILDING ENVELOPE SYSTEMS 
  • BUILDING MATERIALS, FASTENERS & ADHESIVES 
  • INTRODUCTION TO DRAWINGS, SPECIFICATIONS & LAYOUT 
  • ORIENTATION TO CARPENTRY
  • HAND AND POWER TOOLS
  • FLOOR SYSTEMS
  • WALL SYSTEMS
  • CEILING JOIST & ROOF FRAMING
  • BASIC STAIR LAYOUT
  • BASIC RIGGING

CORE + Electrical

CORE + Electrical is a competency-based, hands-on curriculum nationally recognized through NCCER certification. WMCI offers the only high school electrical program in Kent County and is a first step toward electrical apprenticeship programs.

Course Details

Transportation: Arranged through school district or provided by student.

Credit: High school credit and industry certifications earned.

Enrollment: Students must enroll via their school counselor through the KCTC portal starting in February.

Course Curriculum

Modules:

    • BASIC SAFETY
    • INTRODUCTION TO CONSTRUCTION MATH
    • INTRODUCTION TO HAND AND POWER TOOLS
    • INTRODUCTION TO CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS
    • BASIC COMMUNICATION SKILLS
    • BASIC EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
    • INTRODUCTION TO MATERIALS HANDLING
    • OCCUPATIONAL OVERVIEW: THE ELECTRICAL
    • INDUSTRY
    • SAFETY FOR ELECTRICIANS
    • INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS
    • ELECTRICAL THEORY
    • INTRODUCTION TO THE NATIONAL EELCTRICAL CODE
    • OUTLET, DEVICE, PULL, AND JUNCTION BOXES
    • HAND BENDING
    • WIREWAYS, RACEWAYS, AND FITTINGS
    • CONDUCTORS AND CABLES
    • BASIC ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
    • RESIDENTIAL WIRING
    • ELECTRICAL TEST EQUIPMENT

Enrollment Process

Visit WMCI

Prospective students are encouraged to attend a tour of WMCI to identify a program of interest. Students should contact their school counselor to schedule a tour or via our Schedule a Tour page.  

Select your program of choice

During your visit at WMCI, you'll be able to learn about each of the available skilled trades offerings and sit down with a dedicated student services representative to identify which construction career path works best for you. 

Submit Enrollment Request

High School

Once a program of choice is identified, the student should contact their sending school counselor to submit an enrollment request in the OE online portal. 

Note: Enrollment requests are not a guarantee of placement.

For Homeschool Students:

After selecting a program, a student's parent/guardian should contact the registrar to submit an enrollment request. You can do this via phone by calling 616-364-8421.

Select 'Option #2' and then 'Option #4.'

Enrollment Requirements

To qualify students must:

  • Be at least 16 years old by December 1st of the school year in which they are enrolling (junior or senior status in fall of enrolling year). 
  • Be on track to graduate high school on time. 
  • Be able to secure transportation to the West Michigan Construction Institute for courses. 
Enrollment Confirmation

 

  • Enrollment for the WMCI high school program opens in early February for the following school year.
  • Note that enrollment requests are not a guarantee for placement. 
  • Once the enrollment window closes, students and parents will be notified of their acceptance or enrollment status via mail.

Enrollment faqs

Which Schools are eligible to send students to WMCI?

All Kent County schools are eligible to enroll students in WMCI. Enrollment is managed through the Kent ISD not through WMCI. WMCI also has a cooperative agreement with Jenison High School and Hudsonville High School in Ottawa County.​

Which grade levels does WMCI accept?

11th and 12th grade students may attend WMCI high school programs.​

Are High School programs one or two years?

Students may attend WMCI carpentry and electrical programs for one or two years. Students who join either program as 11th grade students and earn their general carpentry or electrical 1 credential may enroll as 12th grade students and participate in our work-based learning program. This program matches students with employers in their trade allowing them to work during their school session (12pm-2:15pm).

Which High School credits do students earn while attending WMCI?

https://www.thetechcenter.org/enrollment/highschoolcollegecredit/

What are the session times?

 

  • 6:55am - 9:10am: General Carpentry and Electrical 1
  • 9:15am - 11:30am: General Carpentry and Electrical 1
  • 12:00pm - 2:15pm: Advanced Carpentry and Electrical 2
Ready?

Take the Next Step!

Making a career move is a big decision - one you'll want to make sure you have the information you need to feel confident in taking the next step.

Please reach out to us for more information on the WMCI course catalog, scheduling a facility tour, and meeting our instructors.

A great place to jumpstart your successful career is Exterior Envelope. This course teaches students the fundamentals of commercial construction.

Check it out!

Where to start

Graduated high school and trying to decide what you should do next? Or maybe you’ve been in the workforce for a couple years but are looking for something better? 

The best way to answer those questions and more is by taking a tour of the West Michigan Construction Institute. 

You’ll have a one-on-one guide to show you the classrooms and hands-on learning labs, the in-session courses (depending on schedule), and meet other WMCI staff, students and instructors! 

Plan Your Visit Today