Find everything you need to know about the WMCI high school construction training program.
Jobs in the construction industry are often referred to as “skilled” or “craft trades.” A skilled trades job is any occupation typically requiring skills learned through specialized training, apprenticeships, or on-the-job training.
Many of these jobs are experiencing high growth as they are well paid, active, engaging, and often hundreds of thousands of dollars less expensive to get into versus a white collar career that demands a 4-year university degree.
5 common reasons High School students are pursuing careers in construction:
High School students learning in the WMCI lab, exploring live job sites, and installing a ‘free little library’ in our local neighborhood they built by hand.
WMCI’s high school programs function like college dual enrollment allowing students to complete a portion of a four-year craft education prior to graduating from high school; meaning that students attend WMCI classes during their regular school day.
Courses last a full year and are open to juniors and seniors. They are all onsite at the West Michigan Construction Institute.
Students must enroll in the program through their school counselor & Kent Career Technical Center:
In addition to the skills training, WMCI students also get to participate in the following unique and engaging ways:
Students get to choose two trades to explore and have onsite job shadow experiences with experienced tradespeople.
Students will have hands on field trip experiences on active, commercial, construction jobsites.
Students may interview with industry employers ready to hire qualified professionals, if desired.
Students may interview with industry employers ready to hire qualified professionals, if desired.
Speakers from a variety of construction professions and trades will visit the classroom on a weekly basis and provide students with an understanding of the multitude of careers in the construction industry.
Students will receive support from HR professionals in the commercial construction industry as they develop their resumes. HR professionals will then provide mock-interview experiences for students in advance of job interview day.
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.
Instructor: Kyle Jelens – Michigan-certified teacher
Transportation: Arranged through school district or provided by student
Credit: High School & College credits earned
Enrollment: Students must enroll via their school counselor through the KCTC portal starting in February.
Curriculum Modules:
Instructor: Electrical Industry Professional
Transportation: Arranged through school district or provided by student
Credit: High School & College credits earned
Enrollment: Students must enroll via their school counselor through the KCTC portal starting in February.
Curriculum Modules:
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.
Don't hesitate to 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.
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!