Building Trades

Through the development of standardized Building Trade competencies and strengthening course offerings, students in the Building Trades pathway across all 5 districts gain exposure to new opportunities, targeted job training and career advising, and the opportunity to earn college credit and certifications. School districts share in the cost of CTE programming, contribute resources including staffing and facilities, and learn from each other in a more coherent way. Teachers additionally collaborate with each other to ensure consistency in the curriculum they are delivering.

What is a Pathway?

At the Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative, we offer a variety of college and career pathways designed to provide students with a range of opportunities that allow them to explore their interests while gaining valuable skills and knowledge in a chosen field. Our pathways are designed to provide students with a seamless transition to college or the workforce through applicable high school and collegiate-level coursework, work-based learning opportunities, summer institutes, and authentic career experiences. We place a strong emphasis on student choice, allowing them to choose the pathways and opportunities that align with their interests. Each pathway is unique, and was designed in alignment with industry standards in order to prepare students for success in their chosen career.

The Southwest Region Aspires for an Building Trades Sector that:

  • Have a clear and reliable workforce pipeline

  • Support green and sustainable building

  • Foster generalist skill sets, with transferable skills across professions

  • Include regulation from the state on construction trades quality of worker via recognized credentials/certifications

  • Have strong industry investment in K12 education

  • Educate its K12 teachers in current industry standards.

Details for the Building Trades, Woodworking, Cabinet Manufacturing, and welding Pathway

Pathway Summary: The Collaborative, in partnership with participating school districts, is developing Mobile Learning Labs that transcend traditional brick-and-mortar learning to provide additional resources for students. Each MLL focuses on specific elements of the industry and brings students closer to competencies of the ‘Machining and Fabrication’ and ‘Behind the Drywall’ elements of Building Trades. The MLLs rotate between school districts to train students on specialized equipment and software they will encounter in their internships and careers.

Career and Technical Education teachers participate in quarterly Professional Development sessions to familiarize themselves with the MLL equipment and synchronize their overall curriculum to provide standard, high quality education across the Southwest Colorado region..

Careers: Carpenter, Sheet Metal Worker, Electrician, Construction Manager

Upcoming Opportunities

Work Based Learning

Check out our Events Calendar for work based learning opportunities such as job shadows, consulting projects, and internships.

Summer Institutes

The Behind the Drywall Summer Institute hosted at Fort Lewis College by the SWCEC is a 5-day summer institute where students from local school districts work together to complete projects in their communities. Students will grow in their leadership, autonomy, and self-confidence as they put their minds and hands to work in helping their communities move towards more sustainable practices.

  • Fort Lewis College

    Pueblo Community College

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