- Cherokee High School
- Construction, Building and Carpentry Career Pathway
Construction, Building & Carpentry Career Pathway Program
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The Construction, Building and Carpentry (CBC) Program at Cherokee High School is open to any current or rising LRHSD student from Evesham, Medford, Medford Lakes, Mount Laurel, Shamong, Southampton, Tabernacle and Woodland. Interested LRHSD students should complete the CBC Career Pathway Application Form.
About the Program
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The Construction, Building & Carpentry Career Pathway Program is designed to provide students with a four-year experience in the building trades. Upon successful completion of the program, students will have hands-on skills and knowledge in the areas of construction, contracting principles, rough and finish carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and masonry. In addition, students will be able to read and design blueprints, use layout tools, coordinate between different roles found on a job site, and understand many of the career opportunities available to them after graduation.
The foundation course for the CBC Career Pathway Program is Woodworking 1. This course is open to all students across all four high schools. Following successful completion of Woodworking 1, eligible students can apply for acceptance to the CBC Career Pathway Program, offered exclusively at Cherokee High School, but open to all students within the Lenape District. The traditional woodworking path will continue to remain open to all students.
During the first year of the program, students will learn traditional woodworking techniques, and gain experience in jobsite and machine safety. This will be built upon in the second- and third-year courses that will focus on residential and commercial construction. In their fourth year, students will have the opportunity to intern with various local companies as part of our option two program while those who remain at the school will complete a Capstone project.
This four-year program will provide students with a head start in entering the workforce or in continuing on to higher education in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction management.
Our Facility
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The Construction, Building & Carpentry Center has 20+ foot ceilings where students can build two-story structures. It features a large panel saw, various chop saws and an array of professional-quality tools. The space also has a wood floor where students can build a structure, disassemble it, and build to the same floor again.
Course Sequence and Descriptions
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Woodworking 1
This course introduces students to general shop rules, safety procedures, and the use of basic hand tools. As students progress, they will learn new techniques and how to operate a variety of portable and stationary power tools. Teacher-led projects will increase in complexity throughout the year.
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Construction, Building & Contracting
Construction, Building, and Contracting is the second year of the four-year Construction, Building, and Carpentry Career Pathway Program. The program is designed to allow students leaving high school the ability to directly enter the workforce or continue their education in the building trades. This second year, following Woodworking One, will act as a hands-on building block for those students interested in pursuing a career as a carpenter, electrician, plumber, mason, roofer, general contractor, construction site manager, architect, or engineer. Prerequisites include successful completion of Woodworking One along with an application process to enter the Career Pathway Program.
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Advanced Construction & Carpentry
Advanced Construction and Carpentry is designed as the third year course in the 4-year career pathway program. This course will continue to build upon the skills and knowledge attained during the Construction, Building, and Contracting (Year 2 Course). It will introduce and further develop advanced skills in building, construction, and carpentry. The course will include the use of the design process, business concepts in construction, and the manufacturing of projects/materials. Drafting/sketching using computer based programs such as Revit, Onshape Sketch-Up and Fusion 360 will be included. Instruction and skills surrounding the use of blueprints within the field will be addressed. Additional content, instruction, and skill development will include (but not be limited to) design, installation, repair, framing, foundations, electrical, plumbing, roofing, flooring, and sheetrock. The course will also provide a foundation to the quickly changing realm of sustainable “green” design in construction. Woodworking 1 and Construction, Building, and Contracting will be required prerequisites along with the completion of the application process and acceptance to the career pathway program.
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Capstone Project Course
TBD
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Internship
Students will participate in the LRHSD Option Two Program
Is the CBC Pathway Right For Me?
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Job Opportunities
Current studies show that 80% of construction companies are looking to hire in the next few years to meet rising demand. Additionally, by 2030, an estimated 40% of the current workforce in construction will retire and need to be replaced.
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High Salaries
Base salaries are highly competitve and rising as companies are scrambling to fill positions. Many positions also offer overtime, bonuses and other incentives.
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No Debt
It's no secret that college is expensive. In the construction trades, you can start life debt free. If you decide to go to college later, there are many schools offering scholarships and work programs where you can earn a salary while you attend class.
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More Benefits
These are just some of the benefits of a career in construction:
- Living where you want
- Controlling your own hours
- Being your own boss
- Better pay equality for women than most careers
- Ability to add certifications over time to expand opportunities at your own pace
