The Durham Tech Construction Trades Certificate provides students with training for entry-level positions in construction. Five classes are required: Carpentry I, Carpentry II, Blueprint Reading, Estimating, and Masonry. The sequence of courses takes the student from basic tools and equipment through the entire house-building process. Carpentry I and Blueprint Reading are offered in the Fall. Carpentry II and Estimating are offered in the Spring, and Masonry is offered in the Summer. Students may enter the program at any time.

This course covers basic masonry materials and installation. Students mix mortar and install bricks and cinder blocks. Procedures for building corner leads, hogging out, and laying to the line are covered. 108 hours.

This course covers basic hand and power tool use and safety. In order to teach the course content, each student constructs an individual furniture/cabinetry project. Students are responsible for obtaining their own materials after consulting with the instructor. 64 hours.

Learn how the use of green building materials and products represents one important strategy in the design of a sustainable building by helping promote conservation of dwindling nonrenewable resources. Integrating green building materials into building projects can help reduce the environmental impact associated with the extraction, transport, processing, fabrication, installation, reuse, recycling, and disposal of these building industry source materials. 30 hours.

Green construction is selling in today’s tough market. Find out how to build green to get green. Get an overall and basic understanding on designing and building sustainable homes or small buildings. This class is targeted for students interested in increasing the understanding of green building principles and materials. Upon completion, students will have a base knowledge of “green building” concepts and its application within a work environment. 50 hours.

Learn the concepts and capabilities of computer numerical control (CNC) lathes and mills using Gibbs CAM. Topics include programming, set-up, and basic operations. Emphasis is on programming and producing typical production parts in a machine shop environment. Upon completion, students should be able to explain operator safety, machine protection, data input, program preparation, and program storage. Textbook required. 42 hours.

Learn the concepts and capabilities of computer numerical control (CNC) lathes and mills using MasterCAM. Topics include programming, set-up, and basic operations. Emphasis is on programming and producing typical production parts in a machine shop environment. Upon completion, students should be able to explain operator safety, machine protection, data input, program preparation, and program storage. Textbook required. 42 hours.

The steady demand for a qualified maintenance technician continues. Combine hard work and basic skills in key areas to improve your employment opportunities with local employers by completing this Continuing Education six-course Industrial Maintenance Certificate. This program consists of courses in Electricity, Industrial Controls, Machining, HVAC, Pneumatics/Hydraulics, and Welding.

This course provides an integrated approach to technology and the skills required to manipulate, display, and interpret mathematical functions and formulas used in problem solving. DC and AC electricity are introduced with emphasis on circuit operation, measurements, and operation of test equipment. Topics include DC and AC principles, OHM’S Law, circuit analysis practical application, components, test equipment operation, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to interpret circuit schematics; design, construct, verify, and analyze DC/AC circuits; and properly use test equipment. 84 hours.

This course teaches trouble-shooting and repair of air conditioning systems. The course includes classroom instruction and hands-on practice. Emphasis is on how to properly leak test, evacuate, and refrigerant charge residential and light commercial systems. 30 hours.

This course introduces the programmable logic controller (PLC) and its associated applications, magnetic circuits, transformers, DC/AC generators, and a review of the three-phase circuit fundamentals, including power factor. Topics include ladder logic diagrams, input/output modules, power supplies, surge protection, selection and installation of controllers, interfacing of controllers with equipment, magnetic terms and calculations, transformer calculations based on primary or secondary equivalent circuits, and generator regulation and efficiency calculations. Upon completion, students should be able to install PLCs, create simple programs, and perform regulation and efficiency calculations for DC/AC single and three-phase transformer and generator circuits. 84 hours.

This course introduces machining operations as they relate to the metalworking industry. Topics include machine shop safety, measuring tools, lathes, saws, milling machines, pedestal grinders, surface grinders, and layout instruments. Upon completion, students should be able to safely perform the basic operations of measuring, layout, drilling, milling, sawing, turning, and grinding. 84 hours.

This course is an introduction to Oxy-Acetylene torch processes, shielded metal arc welding “STICK,” gas metal arc welding “MIG,” and gas tungsten arc welding “TIG.” Students receive instruction through lecture, demonstration, and practical application. 30 hours.

The Building Level One course is designed for the education and training of the Building Level One code enforcement official who is responsible for inspecting small commercial construction up to 20,000 square feet in size. Textbooks with amendments are required and can be purchased at the N.C. Department of Insurance in Raleigh. For more information, contact the Code Council at 919-661-5880 ext. 240. 48 hours. For more information, visit http://www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/Engineering/COQB/Documents/CurrentCourses.pdf  Suggested Chapel Hill and Hillsborough Hotels.

Study the basics of residential construction, including building science, methods of construction, insulation, heating and air conditioning, ventilation, electrical, plumbing, building codes, footings and foundations, floors, and wall framing. This course is designed for anyone involved in residential real estate, including builders and supervisors. This is the prerequisite course for Professional Home Inspection Training. 24 hours.

This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of the governmental and legal system with which every code enforcement official works. In addition, with the successful completion of the course and others specified by the N.C. Code Officials Qualification Board, course participants are eligible to take the state examination for inspector certification. The required textbooks are available online from the N.C. Department of Insurance at 919-661-5880, ext. 240. Allow at least three weeks for delivery. 16 hours. Suggested Chapel Hill and Hillsborough Hotels.

The Mechanical Level I course is designed for the education and training of the Mechanical Level I code enforcement official who has responsibility for inspecting residential and small commercial mechanical installations in construction up to 20,000 square feet in size. Textbooks with current amendments are required and can be purchased from the N.C. Department of Insurance in Raleigh. Allow at least three weeks for delivery. For more information, visit www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/Engineering/COQB/Documents/CurrentCourses.pdf. 32 hours.

This course is designed for the education and training of the Mechanical Level III code enforcement official who has the responsibility of inspecting mechanical installations in all types of construction of unlimited size and is built upon information presented in the Mechanical Level I and Mechanical Level II Standard Inspection course. Upon completion, course participants will have a better understanding of the North Carolina Mechanical Code and the North Carolina Fuel Gas Code and will be able to apply the code in the inspection field. In addition, with the successful completion on the Mechanical Level III and the Law and Administration courses in conjunction with other education and experience requirements specified by the NC Code Officials Qualification Board, course participants will be eligible to take the Mechanical Level III State examination for inspector certification. 16 Hours

This course assists students in preparing for the N.C. heating and air conditioning (H–3) license examination. Allow at least three weeks for delivery. A study guide is provided to registered students. Required Textbooks. 40 hours. Suggested Chapel Hill and Hillsborough Hotels.

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