Building Construction Trades 1

Course Description

BCV0601C — Building Construction Trades 1 is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course in Florida's Building Trades and Construction Design Technology career-preparatory program (Career Cluster: Architecture & Construction). The "BCV" prefix denotes Building Construction Vocational; the "0xxx" range indicates clock-hour PSAV; the "C" suffix denotes integrated lecture-and-lab. The course introduces students to entry-level building construction trade skills: hand and power tool use; basic carpentry; construction math; blueprint reading fundamentals; construction materials and methods; jobsite safety. Students develop foundational skills for employment as construction laborers, carpenter helpers, or apprentice tradespeople in residential and light commercial construction.

This course is offered at Florida district technical colleges and career centers delivering the FLDOE Building Trades Curriculum Framework, including Manatee Technical College, Lake Technical College, Pinellas Technical College, Sheridan Technical College, Atlantic Technical College, Orange Technical College, and other career centers serving Florida's strong construction workforce.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of BCV0601C, students will be able to:

• Use standard hand tools safely and correctly: hammers; screwdrivers; pliers; wrenches; tape measures; chalk lines; squares (framing, speed, combination); levels; chisels; planes; saws.
• Use standard power tools safely and correctly: circular saws; reciprocating saws; jigsaws; drills and impact drivers; sanders; routers; nail guns and pneumatic tools.
• Apply construction math: feet and inches; fractional dimensions; area and volume calculations; basic geometry for construction (3-4-5 triangle, Pythagorean theorem); board feet calculations.
• Read and interpret basic blueprints and construction drawings: floor plans; elevations; sections; details; symbols; scale; dimensions.
• Identify basic construction materials: dimensional lumber; sheathing materials; fasteners (nails, screws, bolts); concrete; masonry units; basic finishes.
• Apply basic carpentry skills: layout; measuring and marking; cutting; joining; basic framing; basic finish work.
• Apply jobsite safety practices: PPE selection (hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, work boots); fall protection awareness; ladder safety; tool safety; electrical safety; first aid awareness.
• Demonstrate workplace professional behaviors: punctuality; communication with crew and supervisors; teamwork; respect for codes and specifications.

Optional Outcomes

• Develop introductory familiarity with construction estimating at the basic-takeoff level.
• Develop introductory familiarity with the Florida Building Code structure.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Hand Tools: Identification; safe use; maintenance; proper storage; common construction-trade tool kits.
• Power Tools: Corded and cordless tools; safe operation; blade and bit selection; battery management; pneumatic tools.
• Construction Math: Fractional inches; conversion between fractions and decimals; perimeter, area, and volume; right-triangle relationships; board feet calculation; mixing ratios.
• Blueprint Reading: Drawing types (architectural, structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical); plan view; elevation; section; detail; scale (architectural and engineering); standard symbols; dimension reading.
• Construction Materials: Dimensional lumber sizing (nominal vs. actual); sheathing (plywood, OSB); fasteners (nail sizes/types, screw types, structural connectors); concrete fundamentals; masonry units; sealants and adhesives.
• Basic Carpentry: Layout (chalk lines, plumb bob, level, square); measuring and marking; cutting techniques; basic framing (wall, floor, roof); fastening techniques.
• Jobsite Safety: OSHA 29 CFR 1926 (Construction Safety); PPE; fall protection (the leading cause of construction fatalities); ladder safety; scaffold safety awareness; electrical safety (extension cord and GFCI); tool-specific safety; HAZCOM; first aid.
• Workplace Skills: Punctuality; teamwork; respect for hierarchy; communication; following written and verbal instructions; quality awareness.

Resources & Tools

• Industry texts: Mark W. Huth Practical Problems in Mathematics for Carpenters; NCCER Core Curriculum (the National Center for Construction Education and Research curriculum widely used in Florida)
• OSHA 29 CFR 1926 (Construction)
• Florida Building Code; IBC; IRC
• Standard hand and power tools; lab/shop facility
• SkillsUSA CTSO

Career Pathways

Successful completion supports entry-level employment in Florida's robust construction industry:

• Construction Laborer (SOC 47-2061) at general contractors and specialty trades.
• Carpenter Helper / Apprentice Carpenter (SOC 47-3012) progressing toward journey-level carpenter (47-2031).
• Trade Helper in plumbing, electrical, HVAC, masonry, or other specialty trades.
• Maintenance Worker in property management, hospitality (Florida hotels, theme parks), or facilities operations.
• Continuation into specialty-trade apprenticeships (carpenters, electricians, plumbers, HVAC, ironworkers) through Florida-based union and merit-shop apprenticeship programs.

Special Information

NCCER Core Certification

BCV0601C content typically aligns with the NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) Core Curriculum, a nationally recognized industry credential. NCCER credentials transfer to construction employers throughout the U.S. and are widely recognized in Florida.

Florida Construction Workforce Demand

Florida consistently shows above-average construction employment growth. Major employers include national general contractors with significant Florida operations (Suffolk, DPR, Coastal Construction, Brasfield & Gorrie, Skanska USA), and the substantial Florida residential and infrastructure markets.

Program Structure (PSAV / Clock-Hour)

BCV0601C clock-hour allocation typically ranges from 150 to 300 clock hours. Per FLDOE PSAV requirements, students must meet minimum TABE scores in Computation and Communications.

OSHA 10-Hour Card

Many institutions integrate the OSHA 10-Hour Construction Industry Outreach Training into BCV0601C, providing students with the OSHA 10-Hour card — an entry-level credential widely required by Florida construction employers.