Architecture & Construction
The Architecture & Construction cluster focuses on the designing, planning, managing, building and maintaining the built environment.
Each lesson below includes an instructional video, lesson plan, guided notes, and a student test or activity.
Cluster Overview: Architecture & Construction
Upon completion of these materials, students will know the career pathways and some corresponding occupations within the Architecture & Construction CTE cluster.
Construction Site Safety
Upon completion of these materials, students will be able to identify personal protective equipment, types of hazards, and steps to ensure safety on a construction site.
Construction: Basic Hand Tools
Upon completion of these materials, students will understand the basics of hand tools and their function.
Fasteners and Hardware
Upon completion of these materials, students will know common fasteners and hardware, and their function.
Construction: Power Tools
Upon completion of these materials, students will have an understanding of the basic power tools used in construction.
Blueprints
Upon completion of these materials, students will understand the different types of blueprints, how to read them and their importance.
CAD
Upon completion of these materials, students will know the basics of computer-aided design (CAD) software.
Electrical and Residential Wiring
Upon completion of these materials, students will understand the basics of Electrical and Residential Wiring.
Welding
Upon completion of these materials, students will understand the basics of welding, primarily MIG welding.
Plumbing
Upon completion of these materials, students will know the basics of plumbing including common residential pipes, tools, and fittings.
Drywall
Upon completion of these materials, students will understand the basics of Drywall including tools, materials, and installation.
Using a Fire Extinguisher on Construction Sites
Upon completion of these materials, students will learn key tips about fire safety for construction workers and how to use a fire extinguisher on a job site.
New Financial Risk in Construction Bids
Upon completion of these materials, students will learn about the financial risks that can occur during the construction process and consider risk-management strategies.
New Assessing Renovation Work
Upon completion of these materials, students will learn why renovation projects can be more complex than new construction and identify key steps taken to investigate a space before a project begins.
New Introduction to Critical Path Method
Upon completion of these materials, students will understand what the Critical Path Method is, the role it plays in construction projects, and considered how they can use it in their own lives.
New Managing Safety Risks in Construction
Upon completion of these materials, students will learn about the financial risks that can occur during the construction process and consider risk-management strategies.
Key concepts of Architecture & Construction condensed into a series of short instructional videos around a similar topic.
Construction Career Advice 6
In this series, we sit down with Ashton Watt, a Human Resources Executive for General Contractor, Brasfield & Gorrie, who offers real-world insight into a career in Construction.
Lessons:
- Work-Based Learning in Construction with Ashton Watt
- Starting Strong in Construction with Ashton Watt
- Building Construction Careers with Ashton Watt
- Closing the Gap in Construction Careers with Ashton Watt
- The High Demand for Skilled Builders with Ashton Watt
- Why Skilled Trades Are Worth Considering with Ashton Watt
Helping your students discover, understand, and evaluate various career paths and occupations within the Architecture & Construction cluster that align with their personal interests, skills, and values.
Occupation Research Tools 87
MyCareerTech offers full occupation reports on 87 Occupations across the 3 Architecture & Construction Career Pathways.
Construction Pathway 59
Employees in construction literally build our future! These are the people who build and remodel houses, apartments, industrial buildings, warehouses, office buildings, churches, schools and recreational facilities. This pathway also includes the builders of highways, streets, bridges, tunnels and airports as well as power plants, chemical plants, refineries and mills.
Design/Pre-Construction Pathway 11
People with careers in design and pre-construction create our future! They turn a concept into a set of plans. Their plans guide other construction professionals as they continue the building process.
Maintenance/Operations Pathway 17
Employees in maintenance and operations keep our future intact! These are the people who unload, inspect, and move new equipment into position. They determine the optimal placement of machines in a plant, assemble machinery, install machinery, repair machinery and perform preventive maintenance. They detect, diagnose and correct minor problems on machinery. They keep the structure of an establishment in good repair. They maintain the smooth operation of refineries, power plants, chemical plants and mills.
MyCareerCorner 18
MyCareerCorner is a series of short, 3–5-minute video Q&A from individuals across different careers and occupations giving insight and advice about their job, industry, and real-life professional experiences. Each MyCareerCorner episode includes an online activity that will challenge students to think deeper about the cluster and apply what they’ve learned.
New Choosing a Career in Construction with Ryan McCord
Upon completion of this activity, students will have learned what makes construction careers rewarding and considered a career in the industry.
New Why Construction Needs You with Ryan McCord
Upon completion of this activity, students will have explored why the construction industry is changing and how they can take advantage of new opportunities in the field.
New Training Isn’t Just for New Hires with Ryan McCord
Upon completion of this activity, students will have discovered why some companies train employees throughout their career and how that training can benefit everyone.
New How to Stand Out in Construction with Ryan McCord
Upon completion of this activity, students will have learned ways to stand out in the construction industry and why qualities like work ethic and lifelong learning are so important.
New Career Progression in Construction with Ryan McCord
Upon completion of this activity, students will have explored different paths to careers in construction and considered if it might be a fit for them.
New Construction Training with Ryan McCord
Upon completion of this activity, students will have learned what kinds of training programs are available in the construction industry and considered why these programs are so valuable.
New Importance of Safety in Construction with Ryan McCord
Upon completion of this activity, students will have learned how, and contemplated why, construction companies prioritize safety.
New Why Communication Matters in Construction with Ryan McCord
Upon completion of this activity, students will have learned why communication is vital within the construction industry and considered how they can improve their own communication skills.
New Finding the Right Career with Michael Parks
Upon completion of this activity, students will have learned that it’s normal to explore different fields before finding the right fit.
New Managing Construction Projects with Michael Parks
Upon completion of this activity, students will have explored what a construction managing director is responsible for and considered how the soft skills they use could be valuable for their own careers.
New Commercial Construction with Michael Parks
Upon completion of this activity, students will have learned about the various projects that Hoar Construction takes on and considered why this could help the company in the future.
New Building Theme Parks with Michael Parks
Upon completion of this activity, students will have explored the positive effects that building long-term business relationships can have on a company and an individual’s career.
Work-Based Learning in Construction with Ashton Watt
Upon completion of this Microlesson, students will have explored the value of work-based learning, determined if they want to participate in one, and identified resources to learn more about them.
Starting Strong in Construction with Ashton Watt
Upon completion of this Microlesson, students will have identified traits that can benefit them in the construction field and considered how they can prepare to enter it with little prior experience.
Building Construction Careers with Ashton Watt
Upon completion of this Microlesson, students will have learned methods to gain experience in construction and considered how these programs can help them learn a specialized skill of their choice.
Closing the Gap in Construction Careers with Ashton Watt
Upon completion of this Microlesson, students will have learned why the construction industry is facing a labor gap and considered the advantages for those entering the workforce.
The High Demand for Skilled Builders with Ashton Watt
Upon completion of this Microlesson, students will have considered the career benefits of entering a high-demand industry.
Why Skilled Trades Are Worth Considering with Ashton Watt
Upon completion of this Microlesson, students will have learned some of the benefits of a job in the skilled trades and considered if a career in the trades could be a fit for them.
This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Advance CTE sponsors the 16 National Career Clusters Framework and career cluster definitions.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Industries at a Glance, at bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag_index_alpha.htm (visited March 20, 2024).