The Carroll County High School Building Trades program keeps current with many facets and trends in the construction industry. 

Employment Projections:

• Nationally - U.S.  Department of Labor
• Locally - New River/Mt. Rogers Region

Educational Opportunities for Students:

• Dual Enrollment
• Wytheville Community College - Construction Technology Program

Instructor Education - For Current and Future Trends:

• Completed OSHA Instructors' Recertification Training
• Completed NCCER Instructor Certification in Core, Construction Technology, Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing, and Your Role in the Green Environment to enhance students' industrial certification
• Attended seminars on Metal Framing with an emphasis on the environmental impact of current and future construction methods and materials
• Attended a seminar on Business Expectations of Employees
• Mr. Warren completed a Master's Program in Education to ensure best teaching practices

 Partnerships:

• The Fuller Center for Housing - Greater Carroll County Area
• Member of the CREATES committee - a regional post-secondary consortium to promote green education and employment

Projects:

• Students are constructing a modular house - as even the construction industry faces the trends of specialization and production mechanization, understanding assembly line construction is vital in this new century.
• Students have constructed two photo voltaic solar collectors
• Students have built a passive solar collector
• Students have built a solar oven (for cooking food)

The Carroll County High School Building Trades program utilizes a variety of resources to educate students.

Textbooks:

• NCCER Core Curriculum (set of 20)
• NCCER Carpentry Fundamentals (set of 20)
• NCCER Electrical (set of 20)
• NCCER Plumbing (set of 20)
• ICC International Residential Code (set of 12)
• Individual copies of other publishers' texts on related subjects

Technology:

• 12 student computers in classroom
• Wireless Internet access
• PLATO computer programming
• SMARTboard
• TV with DVD/VCR
• LCD projector

Simulation Modules/Trainers:

• Roofing Trainer (hips, valleys, and side wall flashing)
• Electrical Trainer ( full 2BR layout with overhead and underground service entrances)
• Plumbing Trainer (ranch house style kitchen, bath, laundry and water heater)

Modular House Site (house currently under construction)

     The Carroll County High School Building Trades program maintains numerous ties with local businesses, contractors, and construction professionals.  The most prominent project is the construction of a modular house. This project demonstrates how a house can be built in a factory setting.  While it may more readily resemble a traditional site-build because it is outside, many of the methods must be altered to allow for transporting to a permanent location.  For example, a roof that will fold down flat, overhangs that will flip over on the roof, built in two sections, changes in the installation of the exterior wall sheathing, and additional gluing for added rigidity during shipment.  The local building inspector has been spending additional time during inspections to further share code information and builder expectations of the localities and general public, thus assuming the role of an educator himself to the students. 

     The advisory board members have, in many cases, taken an assertive role with the Building Trades program.  The Lowe's contractor salesmen allow the students to price and place orders (with instructor authorization) to gain communication skills.  There is generally weekly contact with the contractor sales department at Lowe's through one form or another.  The contractor salesmen also serve to inform the program of new products or trends in the construction industry.  They also serve as a contact source for contractor contacts or student employment connections.  Another board member has gotten approval to serve as a substitute teacher in the Building Trades program.  This contact gives students an outside view of the expectations of employers and the construction field in general.

     A last contact to remain abreast of the trends in the construction industry is the tie with the local community college, specifically, the Construction Technology Program at Wytheville Community College.  Through this connection, the high school program ensures a seamless transition for the students wishing to continue their education at the post-secondary level.  Additionally, the instructors are on the WCC Construction Technology Advisory Committee.  This enables the instructors to be aware of post-secondary trends and changes in the college programming.  This educational tie led to an invitation to participate in the CREATES program by the instructors.  CREATES is a grant-based program to promote green education and training and employment.