Back-to-Work Program Highlight: Building and Skilled Trades
Skilled trades jobs are in high-demand, and Durham Tech offers short-term credentials to help students get to work fast. The Building and Skilled Trades program provides training for entry-level positions in building construction, ranging from cabinetry and plumbing to masonry and forklift training.
“Construction is booming in the Triangle and nationally,” said Maryah Smith-Overman, Assistant Dean of Building, Engineering, and Skilled Trades at Durham Tech. “Job demand continues to grow and there are so many opportunities to learn a trade.”
Durham Tech is currently offering Construction Fundamentals, Forklift Training, and Plumbing Level I courses – all 10 weeks or less.
“Our courses take people with little to no experience, offer hands-on training alongside theory and teach skills or certifications to prepare you for work with a number of local companies,” Overman said.
Local businesses in the field also visit the classroom to connect with students and talk about the job market and what day-to-day job duties look like.
Current courses within our Back-to-Work Initiative include:
- Construction Fundamentals: An introduction to the trades and working with your hands. Participants will learn safety, construction math, and how to use hand and power tools in a variety of trade applications. The course also focuses on professional development, including communication, employability skills, and résumé building.
- Plumbing, Level I: Designed to cover the basic installation and maintenance of plumbing systems and components. Topics include safe use of tools, implementation of standard practices, and installation/maintenance of piping, fittings, valves, appliances and fixtures used in plumbed systems.
- Forklift Training: Provides instruction on the operation and maintenance of an industrial forklift. Core topics include forklift design, controls and instrumentation, pre-use inspection, safety awareness, and forklift stability.
Visit our short-term credentials for class times, start dates, location, and registration.
Alumni Spotlight
Camilo Bernal completed Construction Fundamentals, Carpentry I and II, and Cabinetmaking at Durham Tech.
"The most helpful course was Construction Fundamentals because it engrained safe practices into me before I even got started," he said. "It was helpful to have someone to ask any questions I had and of course, to familiarize myself with the names of tools, their uses, and how to use them was helpful."
Bernal was in the Construction Fundamentals classroom when Haven Modular, a housing manufacturer, came to visit and talk about the skilled trades job market. Bernal stayed in touch with the representative and after completing the 8-week course, he was offered a full-time job as a Production Crew Member, building a house on a 32’ x 9’ trailer.
“Durham Tech provided me with an affordable place to learn about what interests me, and what interested me ultimately wound up becoming my work. That's worth a lot.”
- Camilo Bernal
Wiggins had the opportunity to enroll in Construction Fundamentals and also take Workforce Development classes where she learned how to improve her resume, search for jobs, and improve her interview skills.
After she completed the course, she gained hands-on work experience for two weeks with Rebuilding Together of the Triangle. Just weeks later, she was offered a full-time job with benefits at Clancy & Theys Construction Company, starting off as an elevator technician.
“Durham Tech really impacted my life for the good and has grounded me in the things I need more education about,” she said. “To step outside of those doors and use what I learned confidently knowing that I have all the tools I need to do it."
Skilled Trades in the News
- Durham County, Durham Tech use non-profit partnerships to get residents back to work
- Chamber study: Durham Tech a key partner in future Orange County construction trades growth
- Durham Tech, Durham Public Schools skilled trades program officially launches
Video
Contacts
Maryah Smith-Overman
Assistant Dean
Building, Engineering, and Skilled Trades
919-536-7200 ext. 4008
smith-overmanm@durhamtech.edu
Ben Lock
Coordinator/Instructor
Building and Skilled Trades
919-536-7200 ext. 2803
lockb@durhamtech.edu