The Exterior Envelope curriculum provides an applied overview of commercial glazing and building envelope systems, including curtainwall, storefront, and aluminum door assemblies. Students build job-ready skills in safety, construction math, reading drawings, safe access from lifts and scaffolds, and basic fabrication, sealant, and waterproofing work.
The three-level Exterior Envelope curriculum complies with the U.S. Department of Labor’s standards for apprenticeship programs
Exterior Envelope 1 provides an applied overview of commercial glazing and building envelope systems, including curtainwall, storefront, and aluminum door assemblies. Students apply basic safety, construction math, material handling, and tool skills while learning to read construction drawings and shop details, work from lifts/scaffolds (supported, mobile, and suspension), and complete basic fabrication and sealant tasks.
Exterior Envelope 2 builds job-ready skills for planning and installing exterior wall and building envelope systems. Students learn to interpret construction documents and fastening/span requirements while applying thermal and moisture protection, sheet metal layout, and waterproofing practices, with added focus on safe access and material handling (suspension scaffolds, rigging, and forklift basics).
Exterior Envelope 3 strengthens students’ readiness for foreman and superintendent responsibilities by beginning with WMCI’s Introductory Field Leadership course which focuses on leadership, communication, team building, productivity, and client management. Students then complete OSHA 30 training and apply these skills through project supervision activities and a culminating mockup build that reinforces safe jobsite coordination and quality expectations.
For questions about this program or assistance with registration, please contact WMCI’s Student Services Manager, Jordyn Kapala, at jkapala@wmcinstitute.com or 616-208-9624.