Construction Career Academy

Construction Career Academies - Building a Future Workforce

Mission Statement

The AGC of Wisconsin Construction Career Academy is a high school level education program that integrates academia with technical education in construction related fields, identifying the relevance of one to the other and thereby improving student understanding and retention.

High School graduates, earning a Certificate from the Construction Career Academy, will be educated to pursue employment opportunities in the construction trades and/or apprenticeship programs or pursue further college education at the technical college and/or university level.

The Construction Career Academy format will be flexible and portable, thereby allowing it to accommodate programs unique to particular high schools and be implemented statewide.

Program Description

The Construction Career Academy is a multi-year program that incorporates core academic subjects with construction-trade classes, all taught by Academy teachers. Students are scheduled to take these classes together, but scheduling also allows for other required and elective classes, and extracurricular activities such as band and athletics.

Objectives of the Program

To promote a partnership among the school, parents, and the construction industry.
To provide an opportunity for students to be a part of a smaller, cohesive group within the school.
To prepare students for careers within the construction industry
To integrate core curriculum courses with industry classes.
To offer educational experiences with construction
industry personnel through job shadowing, service learning opportunities, field trips, and guest speakers.
To act as a link between secondary and post-secondary education.

Student Selection

Incoming students are identified through career interest surveys and teacher recommendations. Construction Academy team members will present the program to underclassmen. The application process will include the following: qualifying criteria, student essays, teacher recommendations, interviews, and G.P.A. and attendance record information.

Construction Academy Benefits

A small learning community eases transition from school to work.
Students are exposed to an integrated curriculum with a career field focus.
Students gain knowledge and experience with work-based learning
The rigorous curriculum is connected to real-world applications.
The educational experience will enhance academy students' marketability to both post-secondary institutions and to their career pathways.

What Burlington High School Students Are Saying About Their Academy Experience

"So far this class has helped me greatly in both my grades and my attitude. I have been getting good grades since I started this class because I understand what we are talking about and I'm interested in the subjects. This class has helped me academically and has helped me think about my future."
Grant Seitz, BHS CCA

"At Adventure Rock we partnered up and did activities building trust with our partners. We needed to trust other students to be a safety net while we were climbing the walls because our lives were in their hands."
Brian Uhen, BHS CCA

"I didn't sign myself up for this class though; my mom and dad thought I should go into it because my grades weren't good my freshman year. School is easier now because we do more common sense and what-you-think papers. We get time to work in class. I'm the kind of person that likes to do hands on kind of things and this class lets you do those things for grades."
Ed Vorpagel, BHS CCA

"I'm learning how to do things in the construction industry, and I'm getting my math and English skills up. Without this program, I don't think my grades would be as good as they are now."
Kevin Golon, BHS CCA

"I am in this program because I want a good future and want to do something constructive, not sit behind a desk the rest of my life. Being the only girl right now in this program can be very difficult at times, just trying to get along with all the guys, but the CCA provides ways for students to take classes that they are most interested in. For me that is carpentry."
Rebecca Howard, BHS CCA

BHS Faculty and Administrative Support

"We recently attended the Construction Career Academy Workshop at East Ridge High School in Chattanooga. We were so impressed how the Academy has positively impacted the lives of so many students and teachers. We are extremely excited to start an Academy at BHS, and create an excellent learning community within the school."
Wayne Evert, Assistant Principal
Peter Smet, Business Manager
Sharon Kelley, Social Studies Teacher
Heather Mielke, Math Teacher

"The Burlington Area School District is excited about the opportunities that the Academy will bring to not only Burlington students, but also students from around the area. We are pleased to provide the most support possible for this effort to increase the educational opportunities at BHS."
Ron Jandura, Superintendent

"The construction industry has stressed to me the importance of English for future employees. The use of proper grammar, creative writing, technical writing and reading are extremely important for contractors in their daily business. By working with industry representatives to create a curriculum, we will give BHS students opportunities to excel in areas they may not have thought possible without the Academy."
Arlo Ketchpaw, English Teacher

"BHS students interested in pursuing a career in the skilled construction trades will benefit from the real world applications of English and Math. The partnership created through the Academy will bring technical education together with English and Math, and thus make BHS students more knowledgeable and rounded as they pursue their future careers."
Casey Miller, Technical Education