Construction & Skilled Trades
 
            
    About This Pathway
Construction & Skilled Trades careers involve designing, planning, and building the places we live, learn and work. Jobs in this field include architects, engineers, managers, and skilled trades. The focus is on creating strong, safe, and sustainable buildings and infrastructure that meet today’s needs while protecting the future.
Pathways for the Construction & Skilled Trades interest include:
Architecture & Civil Engineering
Construction & Planning Development
Equipment Operation & Maintenance
Skilled Trades
SWHS Courses & Clubs
South Windsor High School offers a variety of courses and clubs tailored to the Construction & Skilled Trades pathway.
Courses
SWHS offers several courses that can help you decide if the construction & skilled trades pathway is for you. Click the button above if you want to know more about the courses!
Construction I & II
Creative Woodworking
Housing & Interior Design
DIY Repair & Maintenance
Clubs
SWHS currently has two clubs in operation that fit the construction & skilled trades pathway. Have an idea for a club that doesn’t exist? Talk to a teacher and they’ll help get you started with everything you need to create one.
Architecture Club
Woodworking Club
Recommended Majors, Programs, & Certifications
- 
        - Architecture (B.S., B. Arch)
- Civil Engineering (B.S)
- Structural Engineering (B.S. or M.S.)
- Construction Engineering Technology (B.S.)
 
- 
        - Construction Management (B.S., A.S.)
- Building Science (B.S., M.S.)
- Urban Planning (B.S., M.S.)
- Sustainable Building & Energy Systems
 
- 
        - Heavy Equipment Operation (Certificates, A.S.)
- Facilities Maintenance (A.S., Certificates)
- Mechanical Systems Technology
 
- 
        - Carpentry
- Plumbing
- Electrical Technology
- HVAC / Refrigeration
- Welding & Fabrication
 
- 
        - Osha 10-Hour / 30-Hour Construction
- First Aide / CPR / Basic Life Safety (BLS) Certifications
- Aerial / Scissor Lift / Lift Operation Certifications
- Flagging / Traffic Control Certifications
- AWS / ASME / NCCER (Welding)
- Connecticut Plumbing & Pipefitting Licensing
- Connecticut Electrical Licenses
- CT Heating, Piping, & Cooling Licenses
 
- 
        - Carpentry Apprenticeship (DOL Registered)
- Electrical or HVAC Apprenticeship (DOL Registered)
- Plumbing Apprenticeship
- Welding Certification (AWS or NCCER)
- Construction Site Safety & OSHA Certification
- Pre-Apprenticeship in Building Trades
 
SWHS Media Center Career Books
- Construction
- Carpentry
- Plumbing
- HVAC
SWHS Media Center Construction & Trades Studies
- History of Machines
- Architecture
- Structural Engineering
- DIY Repairs
Key Business & Industry Partners
Gilbane Building Company
Liberty Athletic Field Contractors
Associated General Contractors of Connecticut (AGC-CT)
TradesUp Initiative
New England Women in Construction
Colliers Project Leaders
Greater Hartford Trades Scholarship Foundation
CT Technical Education & Career System (CTECS)
Local 326 Carpenters Union
College and Workforce Providers
Whether you decide on the college or workforce route, the following are suggestions of institutions that offer work experience or degrees for your chosen pathway.
- University of Connecticut (UCONN)
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
- University of Massachusetts – Amherst
- University of Rhode Island (URI)
- Wentworth Institute of Technology
- Northeastern University
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
- Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) – School of Engineering, Technology & Architecture
- CT State Community College – All campuses offering skilled trades & construction tech
- Asnuntuck Community College (Enfield, CT) – Advanced Manufacturing, Welding, HVAC
- Manchester Community College (Manchester, CT) – Architectural Design, Construction Tech
- Gateway Community College (New Haven, CT) – HVAC, Electrical, Welding, Construction Management
- Goodwin University – Construction Management, Safety Programs
- Porter and Chester Institiute – Skilled Trades (HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Carpentry)
- On-Site Construction projects in collaboration with local contractors
- Job shadowing and mentorship with partners such as:
	- Gilbane Building Company
- Liberty Athletic Field Contractors
- TradesUp Initiative
- Local 326 – North Atlantic States Carpenters Union
- Electric Boat
- Greater Hartford Trades Scholarship Foundation
- CT Technical Education & Career System
 
- Summer internships through regional workforce development programs
- Capstone project aligned to community building or renovation initiatives
- 
        - University of Connecticut (UCONN)
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
- University of Massachusetts – Amherst
- University of Rhode Island (URI)
- Wentworth Institute of Technology
- Northeastern University
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
- Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) – School of Engineering, Technology & Architecture
 
- 
        - CT State Community College – All campuses offering skilled trades & construction tech
- Asnuntuck Community College (Enfield, CT) – Advanced Manufacturing, Welding, HVAC
- Manchester Community College (Manchester, CT) – Architectural Design, Construction Tech
- Gateway Community College (New Haven, CT) – HVAC, Electrical, Welding, Construction Management
- Goodwin University – Construction Management, Safety Programs
- Porter and Chester Institiute – Skilled Trades (HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Carpentry)
 
- 
        - On-Site Construction projects in collaboration with local contractors
- Job shadowing and mentorship with partners such as:
	- Gilbane Building Company
- Liberty Athletic Field Contractors
- TradesUp Initiative
- Local 326 – North Atlantic States Carpenters Union
- Electric Boat
- Greater Hartford Trades Scholarship Foundation
- CT Technical Education & Career System
 
- Summer internships through regional workforce development programs
- Capstone project aligned to community building or renovation initiatives
 
Portrait of a Graduate Connection
How It’s Developed
Real-world, project-based construction and renovation experiences
Students choose trade specializations and earn credentials that lead directly to employment
Emphasis on work ethic, perseverance, and safety in complex, hands-on environments
Opportunities to build and improve community spaces sustainably
 
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