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How to Enroll at the West Michigan Construction Institute

learn construction skills. build connections. get hired.

a collection of craft trades icons relating to carpentry, plumbing, electrical, etc.
Available Courses
Requirements & Deadlines
Tuition
Enrollment FAQs
Student Services

WMCI enrollment guide

The West Michigan Construction Institute provides hands-on construction training for individuals at every stage – whether you’re new to the trades or looking to advance your career.

Note: this guide is for adult skilled trades students. Please follow this link if you’re interested in the High School Program or enroll via the Course Catalog if you’re already working in the construction industry and interested in professional development.

A group of WMCI students visit the new amphitheater construction project in Grand Rapids, MI.

Why enroll?

Hands-On Learning

Students don’t just learn about tools, they use them daily through hands-on training in the construction labs.

Industry Expert Instructors

Every course is taught by a construction professional or state certified expert with years of experience in their field.

Group of WMCI students at their graduation ceremony
National Certification

Students graduate with nationally recognized construction credentials.

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

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

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

Students have opportunities to engage with construction companies actively hiring.

“I thought WMCI's construction training fully prepared me for entering the workforce. I liked how our instructor made the course interesting by mixing in real world experience.”
WMCI Adult Craft Program Graduate
Carpentry Course - '24

Available Courses

Adult craft Program
WMCI's Concrete 1 and CORE: Intro to the Construction Trades course.
START DATE
August 25, 2026
Total Course Cost
$4567

What you'll learn:

In addition to the essentials of concrete safety, tools, and equipment, students will also learn concrete placement, reinforcing, formwork and finishing. Students will also learn helpful communication, math, and safety skills applicable across all skilled trades.

Concrete Jobs:

Jobs in the concrete industry include: concrete finisher, concrete carpenter, form builder, heavy equipment operator, and project manager.
Wmci's CORE Introduction to the Construction Trades Course
START DATE
January 14, 2027
Total Course Cost
$2239

What you'll learn:

Students will learn the foundations of commercial construction including expertise in hand/power tools, materials handling, communication and safety skills.

Core Requirements

Core must be taken in conjunction with a level one craft training course. While students are in CORE, they also receive training for a skilled trades section.
WMCI's Drywall 1 course that includes Core: Intro to the Construction Trades
START DATE
August 19, 2026
Total Course Cost
$4569

What you'll learn:

This comprehensive course equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the drywalling field, including everything from measuring, cutting, and fitting drywall panels to mastering finishing techniques and understanding building codes.

Drywall Jobs:

Drywall Installer, Drywall Hanger, or Drywall Technician (also known as a 'Taper.')
WMCI's Electrical 1 course for new to the industry students
START DATE
August 19, 2026
Total Course Cost
$4469

What you'll learn:

Learn the foundational knowledge and hands-on skills needed for entry-level work in the electrical trade.

Electrical Jobs:

Popular jobs in the commercial electrical industry include: Electrical Apprentice (next step), Inside Wireman, Journeyman Electrician, Low Voltage Technician, and Master Electrician.
WMCI's Exterior Envelope +Core: Intro to the construction trades course.
START DATE
August 19, 2026
Total Course Cost
$6624

What you'll learn:

Students learn to safely install, test, maintain, and repair different types of envelope systems.

Exterior Envelope Jobs

Examples include: Sheet Metal Worker, Glazier, and Building Enclosure Technician
WMCI's General Carpentry and CORE: Intro to the Construction Trades course
START DATE
August 25, 2026
Total Course Cost
$4569

What you'll learn:

Students will learn hand & power tools, construction of floor & wall systems, framing, basic stair layout, and job site procedures and planning.

Carpentry Jobs

As a foundational trade in construction, there are many different career paths you can take including becoming a Journeyman Carpenter, Framer, Cabinetmaker, Drywall Technician, and Foreman.
Course thumbnail for WMCI's Michigan Journeyman Plumbing Exam Prep workshop.
START DATE
February 20, 2026
Total Course Cost
$595

What you'll learn:

Practice for practical skills exam and test-taking strategies/tips from a Master Plumber.
WMCI's Plumbing 1 training course
START DATE
August 17, 2026
Total Course Cost
$4569

What you'll learn:

Students will learn how to safely install, test, maintain, and repair different types of pipe systems.

Plumbing Jobs

Commercial plumbing job titles can include: apprentice, journeyman plumber, service technician, and plumbing designer.
WMCI's Sprinkler Fitting 1 class
START DATE
August 17, 2026
Total Course Cost
$4519

What you'll learn:

Learn the basics of commercial construction with an emphasis on sprinkler systems and components.

Sprinkler Fitting Jobs

Examples of Sprinkler Fitting job titles can include: Apprentice, Fire Sprinkler Technician, Fire Sprinkler Foreman, Sprinkler Designer
High School WMCI students touring Perrigo jobsite on a field trip

Course Requirements & Deadlines

  • Enrollment opens in early May.​
  • Students must be at least 16 years of age.
  • Students are not required to have a high school diploma/GED to enroll.
  • Students must be able to provide their own transportation to WMCI.
  • Local employers may have other age and education requirements that are different than WMCI’s.

Tuition

A deposit is due at the time of registration. 

Fall tuition is due August 1st.

Spring tuition is due December 1st.

WMCI provides several statewide and national scholarship options that students can use towards their tuition fees.

If you have any tuition questions, our student services team is always here to help!

Contact
Scholarships

WMCI SUCCESS STORY!

Hear the story of how WMCI graduate Keunte Swarn found a construction job he loves.

Enrollment FAQs

Is WMCI accredited?

West Michigan Construction Institute is accredited by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), a nationally recognized curriculum granting students portable credentials.

Are there any prerequisites to register for WMCI courses?

Students do not need to submit transcripts, grades, or proof of high school diploma to enroll in classes at WMCI. A deposit is due upon enrollment to secure the student’s seat in the class.

Does WMCI provide job placement assistance for graduates?

Career coaching is available for students interested in connecting with potential employers. WMCI is an education-focused institution that offers career coaching services but does not guarantee job placement.

Does WMCI offer financial aid?

Yes! WMCI currently offers three scholarship options for students as well as resources for additional statewide and national financial aid options:

Norm Brady Scholarship:
Available to one post-secondary student pursuing education in a craft training program at WMCI. This scholarship awards full tuition & fees for one academic year.

Tracie Green Scholarship:
Available to one post-secondary female student entering the skilled trades. This scholarship awards $1,000 towards tuition and fees.

WMCI General Scholarship:
Available to post-secondary students entering the skilled trades. This scholarship awards students support towards tuition and fees. The amount given is based on available funds and student needs.

​To learn more about monetary amounts awarded, qualifications, and deadlines, please visit the WMCI Scholarships page. Here, there are also several statewide and national financial aid resources provided that can be used towards tuition. 

Note: The West Michigan Construction Institute is not eligible to participate in the US Department of Education’s student aid programs and therefore is not required to furnish 1098-T statements.

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Need help?

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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.