Virginia's Architecture and Construction pathway prepares students for careers in residential and commercial construction, skilled trades, construction management, and building technology. This comprehensive program covers carpentry, masonry, electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC fundamentals, and construction management principles. With Virginia experiencing significant growth in Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, and urban areas throughout the Commonwealth, the construction industry provides abundant career opportunities.
The pathway emphasizes traditional construction crafts, modern building technologies, sustainable construction practices, and building information modeling (BIM). Students gain hands-on experience through construction laboratory projects, actual building construction including community service projects, and partnerships with Virginia construction companies and contractors. The curriculum integrates safety training, blueprint reading, building codes, construction mathematics, and project management skills essential for construction careers.
Virginia's Construction programs often engage students in constructing real structures such as storage buildings, tiny homes, or Habitat for Humanity projects demonstrating skills while serving communities. These authentic experiences provide portfolio evidence and often lead to employment connections. Graduates are prepared for immediate employment in construction trades, construction management careers, or continuation to construction technology degree programs at Virginia community colleges.
Architecture and Construction at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
5
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Virginia's Architecture and Construction standards align with National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) standards and emphasize construction safety, building codes, construction methods, construction materials, blueprint reading, and professional construction practices. Standards cover carpentry, masonry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and construction management preparing students for NCCER credentials and apprenticeship programs recognized by Virginia's construction industry.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course | Code |
|---|---|
| Construction Technology I: Fundamentals and Safety | 8512 |
| Construction Technology II: Carpentry and Building Systems | 8513 |
| Construction Technology III: Advanced Trades | 8514 |
| Construction Technology IV: Construction Management and Projects | 8515 |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓NCCER Carpentry Level 1
- ✓NCCER Carpentry Level 2
- ✓NCCER HVAC Level 1
- ✓EPA 608 Certification
- ✓Autodesk Certified User - AutoCAD
- ✓Autodesk Certified User - Revit
- ✓NOCTI Building and Construction Occupations
- ✓First Aid/CPR/AED
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Carpenter
Entry LevelSalary range: $44,810 - $60,450
Construction Project Manager
ExperiencedSalary range: $91,790 - $141,770
Electrician
ExperiencedSalary range: $48,890 - $76,550
Construction Equipment Operator
Entry LevelSalary range: $46,910 - $61,550
Construction Superintendent
ExperiencedSalary range: $91,790 - $141,770
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students participate in apprenticeships with Virginia construction companies, work on actual building projects for schools and community organizations, and gain experience through cooperative education with contractors. Work-based learning includes job shadowing skilled tradespeople, Habitat for Humanity construction, summer construction employment, and engagement with Virginia Associated General Contractors and Home Builders Associations providing mentorship and employment pipelines.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in SkillsUSA, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Virginia CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Virginia Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Virginia's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Virginia standards and industry needs evolve
Related Pathways in Virginia
Related Glossary Terms
CTE Pathways
CTE Pathways are structured sequences of courses within a Career Cluster that prepare students for a specific group of related occupations. Pathways combine academic and technical instruction, providing a clear roadmap from introductory courses through advanced, specialized training aligned with industry standards and postsecondary opportunities.
ProgrammaticWork-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) encompasses a range of educational strategies that connect classroom instruction with real workplace experiences. Activities include internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, clinical rotations, and cooperative education, all designed to help CTE students apply technical skills in authentic industry settings.
ProgrammaticIndustry Certifications in CTE
Industry certifications in CTE are credentials issued by industry organizations or third-party bodies that validate a student's mastery of specific technical skills and knowledge. Examples include CompTIA A+, AWS Certified Welder, and ServSafe, which demonstrate career readiness to employers in ways that transcend state and district boundaries.
AssessmentCompetency-Based Education
Competency-Based Education (CBE) is an instructional approach where students advance by demonstrating mastery of specific knowledge and skills rather than by accumulating seat time. In CTE, CBE aligns naturally with industry expectations, as employers value demonstrated competency over time spent in training.
AssessmentReady to Build Architecture and Construction Programs at Scale?
See how Sage can help you create standards-aligned curriculum for Architecture and Construction in Virginia.