Building Construction Trades Specialty

Course Description

BCV0611C — Building Construction Trades Specialty is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course providing specialized building construction trade training in a specific discipline. The course typically addresses one of several specialty areas depending on institutional and employer priorities: concrete and masonry; rough plumbing; rough electrical; HVAC rough-in; roofing; siding and exterior finishes; or interior finish carpentry. Specific course content varies by delivering institution.

This course is offered at Florida district technical colleges and career centers as a specialty/concentration option within the broader Building Trades PSAV program. Students should consult their institution for specific subject matter coverage in any given semester.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of BCV0611C (specialty content varies), students will be able to:

• Apply specialized trade skills in the chosen building construction specialty area to industry-standard proficiency.
• Apply code compliance specific to the specialty: Florida Building Code (Building, Residential, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical sections as applicable); IBC, IRC, NEC (electrical), IPC (plumbing), IMC (mechanical) where adopted.
• Apply safety practices specific to the specialty: PPE; trade-specific hazards (electrical shock for electrical work; trench safety for site work; respiratory protection for finish work); emergency response.
• Read and interpret specialty trade drawings: electrical one-line diagrams; plumbing isometrics; HVAC duct layouts; structural details — depending on specialty.
• Apply quality standards appropriate to the specialty trade.
• Demonstrate workplace professional behaviors: code compliance discipline; documentation; coordination with other trades; respect for inspections.

Optional Outcomes

• Pursue industry-recognized credentials appropriate to the specialty (NCCER trade-specific certifications; OSHA-30; trade-specific apprenticeship registration).

Major Topics

Required Topics (Specialty-Dependent)

Specific major topics depend on the institutional specialty offering. Common specialty paths include:

• Concrete and Masonry: Concrete formwork; placement; finishing; CMU laying; mortar mixing; reinforcement; Florida Building Code requirements.
• Rough Plumbing: DWV (drain-waste-vent) pipe sizing per IPC; supply line installation; fixture rough-in dimensions; plumbing inspection awareness.
• Rough Electrical: NEC compliance; box installation; wire pulling; circuit layout; service entrance awareness; electrical inspection awareness.
• HVAC Rough-In: Duct layout; equipment placement; refrigerant line set installation; condensate drain provisions.
• Roofing: Underlayment; flashing; asphalt shingle installation; metal roofing; tile roofing (common in Florida); Florida Building Code roofing requirements (HVHZ enhanced standards).
• Siding and Exterior Finishes: Wood, vinyl, fiber cement, stucco, brick veneer; weather-resistive barriers; flashing details.
• Interior Finish Carpentry: Cabinetry installation; finish trim; flooring installation; door and hardware installation.

Resources & Tools

• NCCER trade-specific curriculum (Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Concrete, Masonry, Roofing, etc.)
• Florida Building Code (current edition) and applicable trade-specific code chapters
• Industry standards: NEC (NFPA 70), IPC, IMC, ASTM, ACI as applicable
• OSHA 29 CFR 1926
• Trade-specific tools and equipment

Career Pathways

Specialty completion supports advanced entry-level employment in the chosen specialty trade:

• Specialty Trade Apprentice/Helper in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, masonry, roofing, or finish trades.
• Construction Trade Journeyman after completion of registered apprenticeship (typically 4-5 years for most trades).
• Maintenance Technician at facilities and property management organizations.
• Construction Foreman / Lead with continued field experience.
• Continuation into Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) trade contractor licensure pathways (electrical, plumbing, HVAC contractor licenses require additional experience and exam).

Special Information

Specialty Variation

Because BCV0611C specialty content varies by institution, students should consult specific course syllabi for the semester in which they enroll. Some institutions offer multiple specialty paths concurrently or in rotation.

NCCER Trade-Specific Certifications

Specialty-specific NCCER credentials are recognized by Florida employers and may articulate to apprenticeship programs.

Florida Trade Contractor Licensure

Beyond entry-level work, students who pursue contractor licensure must complete additional experience and pass the Florida DBPR licensure examination administered by the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Specialty contractor licenses (electrical, plumbing, mechanical/HVAC, roofing, etc.) typically require 4 or more years of documented experience under a licensed contractor.

Program Structure (PSAV / Clock-Hour)

BCV0611C clock-hour allocation typically ranges from 75 to 300 clock hours depending on the specialty path and institutional structure.