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Trades Training

Trades Training for Beginners and Pros

Build Smart Institute offers trades training for individuals new to the construction industry. Our CORE Fundamentals of Construction course is designed to provide you with the basic knowledge to start your career in the trades off on the right foot.

If you are experienced in the trades, the preparation course for your Journeyman and Master Electrician License will equip you with what you need to pass with flying colors. Build Smart’s courses will help you develop the technical skills to get where you want to go!

Comprehensive Training Made More Accessible

Build Smart is proud to offer the Build U Scholarship opportunity to motivated individuals seeking a career in construction. This student grant covers the tuition costs for the numerous programs, including electrical, plumbing, and carpentry training. Expand the sections below to learn more about each course, or download the Build Smart Course Catalog.

Download Complete Course Catalog
A Group of People Around a Construction Equipment | Trades Training

Core Fundamentals Course

HBI, First Aid/CPR, OSHA and NCCER logos
Designed to provide entry-level students with an overview of a variety of construction careers by learning basic construction knowledge and skills.
  • Construction Safety
  • Construction Math
  • Introduction to Construction Hand and Power Tools
  • Materials Handling
  • Introduction to Construction Drawings
  • Employability Skills such as critical thinking skills, problem-solving, and effective self-presentation
Hours: 90 hours

Carpentry Courses

NCCER LOGO
Designed for students who have completed the Core Fundamentals of Construction Course (COR101) and are pursuing Carpentry as a skilled trade.
  • Orientation to the Trade
  • Building Materials, Fasteners and Adhesives
  • Hand and Power Tools review
  • Intermediate Construction Drawings
  • Specifications
  • Layout
  • Floor Systems
  • Wall Systems
  • Ceiling Joist
  • Roof Framing
  • Introduction to Building Envelope Systems
  • Basic Stair Layout
Hours: 162.5 hours
Prerequisite(s): COR101
NCCER LOGO
Designed for students who have completed the Core Fundamentals of Construction Course (COR101) and Carpentry 1 (CAR101) and are pursuing Carpentry as a skilled trade.
  • Commercial Drawings
  • Cold-Formed Steel Framing
  • Exterior Finishing
  • Thermal and Moisture Protection
  • Roofing Applications
  • Doors and Door Hardware
  • Drywall Installation
  • Drywall Finishing
  • Suspended Ceilings
  • Window, Door, Floor, and Ceiling Trim
  • Cabinet Installation
Hours: 210 hours
Prerequisite(s): COR101 | CAR101
NCCER LOGO
Designed for students who have completed the Core Fundamentals of Construction Course (COR101), Carpentry 1 (CAR101), and Carpentry 2 (CAR201) and are pursuing Carpentry as a skilled trade.
  • Properties of Concrete
  • Rigging Equipment
  • Rigging Practices
  • Trenching and Excavating
  • Reinforcing Concrete
  • Foundations and Slab-on-Grade
  • Vertical Formwork
  • Horizontal Formwork
  • Handling and Placing Concrete
  • Tilt-Up Wall Systems
Hours: 160 hours
Prerequisite(s): COR101 | CAR101 | CAR 201
NCCER LOGO
Designed for students who have completed the Core Fundamentals of Construction Course (COR101), Carpentry 1 (CAR101), Carpentry 2 (CAR201), and Carpentry 3 (301) and are pursuing Carpentry as a skilled trade.
  • Site Layout One: Differential Leveling
  • Site Layout Two: Angular and Distance Measurement
  • Advanced Roof Systems
  • Advanced Wall Systems
  • Advanced Stair Systems
  • Introduction to Construction Equipment
  • Site Preparation
  • Fundamentals of Crew Leadership
Hours: 162.5 hours
Prerequisite(s): COR101 | CAR101 | CAR 201 | CAR301

Electrical Courses

NCCER LOGO
Designed for students who have completed the Core Fundamentals of Construction Course (COR101) and are pursuing Electrical as a skilled trade.
  • Orientation to the Electrical Trade
  • Electrical Safety
  • Introduction to Electrical Circuits
  • Electrical Theory
  • Introduction to the National Electrical Code
  • Device Boxes
  • Hand Bending
  • Raceways and Fittings
  • Conductors and Cables
  • Basic Electrical Construction Drawings
  • Residential Electrical Services
  • Electrical Test Equipment
Hours: 112.5 hours
Prerequisite(s): COR101
NCCER LOGO
Designed for students who have completed the Core Fundamentals of Construction Course (COR101) and Electrical 1 (ELE101) and are pursuing Electrical as a skilled trade.
  • Alternating Current
  • Motors: Theory and Application
  • Electrical Lighting
  • Conduit Bending
  • Pull and Junction Boxes
  • Conductor Installations
  • Cable Tray
  • Conductor Terminations and Splices
  • Grounding and Bonding
  • Circuit Breakers and Fuses
  • Control Systems
  • Fundamental Concepts
Hours: 145 hours
Prerequisite(s): COR101 OR COO101 | ELE101
NCCER LOGO
Designed for students who have completed the Core Fundamentals of Construction Course (COR101), Electrical 1 (ELE101), and Electrical 2 (ELE201) and are pursuing Electrical as a skilled trade.
  • Load Calculations
  • Conductor Selection
  • Practical Applications of Lighting
  • Hazardous Locations
  • Overcurrent Protection
  • Distribution Equipment and Transformers
  • Commercial Electrical Services
  • Motor Calculations
  • Voice, Data, and Video
  • Motor Controls
Hours: 155 hours
Prerequisite(s): COR101 | ELE101 | ELE201
NCCER LOGO
Designed for students who have completed the Core Fundamentals of Construction Course (COR101), Electrical 1 (ELE101), Electrical 2 (ELE201), and Electrical 3 (ELE301) and are pursuing Electrical as a skilled trade.
  •  Load Calculations - Feeders and Services
  •  Health Care Facilities
  •  Standby and Emergency Systems
  •  Basic Electronic Theory
  •  Fire Alarm Systems and Specialty Transformers
  •  Heat Tracing and Freeze Protection
  • Motor Operation and Maintenance
  • Medium Voltage
  • Terminations/Splices and Specialty Locations
  • Fundamentals of Crew Leadership
Hours: 182.5
Prerequisite(s): COR101 | ELE101 | ELE201 | ELE301

Heating & Cooling Courses

NCCER LOGO
Designed for students who have completed the Core Fundamentals of Construction Course (COR101) and are pursuing Heating and Cooling as a skilled trade.
  • Introduction to HVAC
  • Trade Mathematics
  • Basic Electricity
  • Introduction Heating
  • Introduction Cooling
  • Introduction to Air Distribution Systems
  • Basic Copper and Plastic Pipe Practices
  • Soldering, Brazing, and Basic Carbon Steel Piping
  • Trade Mathematics
  • Basic Electricity
  • Introduction Heating and Cooling
  • Introduction to Air Distribution Systems
  • Soldering and Brazing and Basic Carbon Steel Piping Practices.
Hours: 144 hours
Prerequisite(s): COR101
NCCER LOGO
Designed for students who have completed the Core Fundamentals of Construction Course (COR101) and Heating and Cooling 1 (HVA101) and are pursuing Heating and Cooling as a skilled trade.
  • Alternating Current
  • Compressors
  • Refrigerants and Oils
  • Leak Detection
  • Evacuation, Recovery, and Charging
  • Metering Devices, Heat Pumps, and Basic Maintenance
  • Chimneys, Vents, and Flues
  • Sheet Metal Duct Systems
  • Fiberglass and Flexible Duct Systems
  • Commercial Airside Systems
  • Air Quality Equipment
  • Introduction to Hydronic Systems
Hours: 144 hours
Prerequisite(s): COR101 | HVA101
NCCER LOGO
Designed for students who have completed the Core Fundamentals of Construction Course (COR101), Heating and Cooling 1 (HVA101), and Heating and Cooling 2 (HVA201) and are pursuing Heating and Cooling as a skilled trade.
  • Fasteners, Hardware, and Wiring Termination
  • Control Circuit and Motor Troubleshooting
  • Troubleshooting Cooling and Heat Pumps, Gas and Oil Heating
  • Troubleshooting Accessories, Zoning, Ductless, and Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems
  • Hydronic, Steam, Retail, and Refrigeration Systems
  • Customer Relations
Hours: 144 hours
Prerequisite(s): COR101 | HVA101 | HVA201 
NCCER LOGO
Designed for students who have completed the Core Fundamentals of Construction Course (COR101), Heating and Cooling 1 (HVA101), Heating and Cooling 2 (HVA201), and Heating and Cooling 3 (HVA301) and are pursuing Heating and Cooling as a skilled trade.
  • Water Treatment
  • Indoor Air Quality
  • Energy Conservation Equipment
  • Building Management Systems
  • System Air Balance
  • System Startup and Shutdown
  • Construction Drawings
  • Heating and Cooling System Design
  • Commercial/Industrial Refrigeration Systems
  • Alternative and Specialized Heating and Cooling Systems
  • Fundamentals of Crew Leadership
Hours: 144 hours
Prerequisite(s): COR101 | HVA101 | HVA201 | HVA301

Plumbing Courses

NCCER LOGO
Designed for students who have completed the Core Fundamentals of Construction Course (COR101) and are pursuing Plumbing as a skilled trade.
  • Introduction to the Plumbing Profession
  • Plumbing Safety
  • Plumbing Tools
  • Introduction to Plumbing Math
  • Introduction to Plumbing Drawings
  • Plastic Pipe and Fittings
  • Copper Pipe and Fittings
  • Cast-Iron Pipe and Fittings
  • Carbon Steel Pipe and Fittings
  • Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing
  • Fixtures and Faucets
  • Introduction to Drain
  • Waste and Vent Systems
  • Introduction to Water Distribution Systems
Hours: 144 hours
Prerequisite(s): COR101
NCCER LOGO
Designed for students who have completed the Core Fundamentals of Construction Course (COR101), and Plumbing 1 (PLU101) and are pursuing
  • Plumbing as a skilled trade.
  • Plumbing Math
  • Reading Commercial Drawings
  • Hangers, Supports, Structural Penetrations, and Fire Stopping
  • Installing and Testing DWV Piping
  • Installing Roof, Floor, and Area Drains
  • Types of Valves
  • Installing and Testing Water Supply Piping
  • Installing Fixtures, Valves, and Faucets
  • Basic Electricity
  • Installing Water Heaters
  • Fuel Gas Systems
  • Servicing of Fixtures, Valves, and Faucets
Hours: 144 hours
Prerequisite(s): COR101 | PLU101
NCCER LOGO
Designed for students who have completed the Core Fundamentals of Construction Course (COR101), Plumbing 1 (PLU101), and Plumbing 2 (PLU201) and are pursuing Plumbing as a skilled trade.
  • Applied Math
  • Codes
  • Types of Venting
  • Indirect and Special Waste
  • Sewage Pumps and Sump Pumps
  • Sizing Water Supply Piping
  • Backflow Preventer
  • Water Pressure Boosters
  • Recirculating Systems
  • Servicing Piping Systems, Fixtures, and Appliances
Hours: 144 hours
Prerequisite(s): COR101 | PLU101 | PLU201
NCCER LOGO
Designed for students who have completed the Core Fundamentals of Construction Course (COR101), Plumbing 1 (PLU101), Plumbing 2 (PLU201), and Plumbing 3 (PLU301) and are pursuing Plumbing as a skilled trade.
  • Business Math for Plumbers
  • Sizing DWV and Storm Systems
  • Private Water Supply Systems
  • Private Waste Disposal Systems
  • Locating Buried Water and Sewer Lines
  • Hydronic and Solar Heating Systems
  • Water Supply Treatment
  • Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs
  • Compressed Air
  • Corrosive-Resistant Waste Piping
  • Plumbing for Mobile Homes and Mobile Home Parks
Hours: 144 hours
Prerequisite(s): COR101 | PLU101 | PLU201 | PLU301

Master or Journeyman Preparation Course

NCCER LOGO
This course is designed to assist the student in how to prepare for the Master or Journeyman State of Virginia Electrical Licensing Exam.
  • What hours and experience are required to sit for the exam
  • Applying to take the Exam
  • Pre-exam preparation approaches
  • What to study
  • How to study for the exam
  • What definitions to become familiar with
  • What is allowed and not allowed
  • Helpful hints
  • Exam Question Sampling
Hours: 8 hours
National Center for Construction Education and Research
Home Builder’s
Institute
CPR / AED / Basic 
First Aid
Occupational Safety and Health Administration for Construction
Build Smart Institute 
Certificate
Course may be 
taken virtually 
or in person

Testimonials

A Photo of Levi Weddle | Building Courses

Levi Weddle
Southern Air, Inc., Full-Time Employee

Core Fundamentals of Construction Graduate

"Before I came to Build Smart Institute, I had never really considered a job in the trades. I was working at a job where I wasn't happy, and no career advancement was likely. Build Smart Institute's Core Fundamentals program provided an introduction to the trades and related safety practices, and some experience with hand and power tools. As valuable as that education was, it was only the start of many opportunities for networking, volunteering, seeing other students succeed, and exploring a career at Southern Air, Inc."
A Photo of Allen Harris Holding a Certificate | Building Courses

Allen Harris

Core Fundamentals of Construction Graduate

"My biggest takeaway from the Build Smart program is how comprehensive and thorough it was. I would say the Build Smart program is set apart from other programs or college courses because not only are the teachers masters at construction, but they also care about the students and love what they do. The advice I would give to new students coming into the program is you have made the right decision. This is the best place to learn construction because they actually make sure that you have learned the skills. Build Smart is a wonderful place if someone wants to learn." 
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