MOHAVE COUNTY – Mohave College has launched a Residential Construction Certificate program to prepare students for entry-level careers in a field with strong regional demand.
The 16-credit, in-person program combines classroom instruction with practical experience. Students will learn job-site safety and OSHA 10 protocols, blueprint reading, state and county code requirements, concrete slab construction, advanced framing, drywall installation and finishing, finish carpentry, installation of doors and windows, and basic plumbing. Students will also build small structures as they apply the skills learned in class.
The program was developed in response to input from community and industry partners seeking more trained, dependable workers. It is designed for students who enjoy working with their hands, want a direct path into the workforce and are ready to build skills that can support a long-term career.
“Construction companies throughout our region are looking for hardworking, skilled and responsible employees,” said Richie Mitten, Associate Dean of Career and Technical Education at Mohave College. “This program gives students hands-on experience, safety training and a strong foundation in the residential building process. They will also learn from an instructor who understands the local industry and has years of connections in the community. We are starting in Bullhead City because that is where the need has been clearly identified, and we can expand the program as demand grows in other communities.”
Mitten says the College may expand the program to other locations based primarily on community and workforce needs, and qualified faculty availability.
Construction and extraction occupations represented 6% of employment in the region, which is higher than the 4.1% share nationwide, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The local annual individual earnings for full-time work in the industry is more than $50,000.
Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of construction laborers and helpers to grow 6% through 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. The agency projects about 137,000 openings each year during that period.
The certificate can help students develop real-world skills that employers want for residential construction, remodeling and related trades. With experience, construction workers may advance into specialized trades, supervisory positions, job-site management or business ownership.
Those interested in becoming a student should first create a student profile at FutureBighorn.com. To learn more about the Residential Construction Certificate, visit Mohave.edu/Construction. Prospective students can begin the enrollment process at FutureBighorn.com. For immediate response to questions about this program or other Career and Technical Education career-focused programs, contact Richie Mitten at rmitten@mohave.edu.
