Construction Cluster

Construction Craft Laborers

About This Program

The construction industry is one of the most diverse and rewarding industries in the world. The program prepares students for meaningful employment in a variety of areas. The major types of construction are grouped into the following categories: 

  1. Building construction and reconstruction of residential and commercial buildings. 
  2. Highway, utilities and land development-construction and reconstruction of the following: major and minor highways, subdivisions, bridges, dams, tunnels and airfields, underground utilities (telephone & electric), piping systems (petroleum, water, sewer, natural gas and collection systems). 
  3. Environmental remediation and activities associated with the following; asbestos abatement, decontamination and demolition of nuclear facilities, hazard waste removal, lead abatement, permit-required confined spaces, and erosion control. 

See below for full course description.

A student shovels dirt at a construction site.

Career Paths

  • General Construction Laborer 
  • Construction Craft Laborer
  • Demolition Laborer 
  • Flooring lnstaller
  • Hazardous Materials Removal Worker
  • Highway/Road Worker
  • Landscape Laborer/Apprentice
  • Forklift Operator 
  • Building Supplies Sales Person
  • Concrete Laborer
  • Excavator
  • Drywall Installer 

Industry Partnerships

  • New England Laborers’ Trust
  • Local 22

Certifications

  • OSHA 30-Construction
  • First Aid/CPR
  • MassDOT 30-hour certification

Meet the Construction Teachers

Douglas Foley

Mr. Doug Foley

Construction Craft Laborer Teacher
DFoley@essextech.net

Christopher Moore

Mr. Christopher Moore

Construction Craft Laborer Teacher
CMoore@essextech.net

Jayme Vanderkloot

Ms. Jayme Vanderkloot

Construction Craft Laborer Teacher
JVanderkloot@essextech.net

Construction Course Descriptions

Course NumberNameCreditGrade Level
ccl101Construction Craft Laborers Exploratory 91.0Grade 9
ccl103Construction Craft Laborers 910.0Grade 9
ccl200Construction Craft Laborers 1016.0Grade 10
ccl201Construction Craft Laborers 10 Theory4.0Grade 10
ccl300Construction Craft Laborers 1120.0Grade 11
mc301Masonry & Construction Theory 114.0Grade 11
ccl305Construction Craft Laborers Cooperative Education 1112.0Grade 11
pcn301CTE Pathway: STEM for Construction2.0Grade 11
pcn302CTE Pathway: Understanding Specifications & Blueprints2.0Grade 11
ccl400Construction Craft Laborers 1220.0Grade 12
mc401Masonry & Construction Theory 124.0Grade 12
ccl405Construction Craft Laborers Cooperative Education 1224.0Grade 12
pcn401CTE Pathway: Construction Management2.0Grade 12
pcn402CTE Pathway: Renewable Energy in Construction2.0Grade 12
Construction Craft Laborers Exploratory 9 

Course # ccl101 | Credit: 1
This five-day cycle exploratory course provides grade 9 students with the basic knowledge and relevance of safety, estimating, and career paths in the field of construction craft laborers. Students receive instruction in hand tools and their applications and general career program safety. Students will put into practice what they have learned by building an assigned project. 

Construction Craft Laborers 9 

Course # ccl103 | Credit: 10
This semester-based course gives students experience working with various construction materials. The major focus of study is on the various areas of the construction industry, including scaffolding, concrete projects, wood working, and various types of demolition. 

Construction Craft Laborers 10 

Course # ccl200 | Credits: 16
This full-year course provides students with experience inworking with various construction materials from the construction industry including safety and health knowledge and skills, using ladders and building scaffolding. Students will also work with a variety of hand, power, and pneumatic tools, how to mix, place, and finish concrete, along with various types of demolition and demolition tools. 

Construction Craft Laborers 10 Theory 

Course # ccl201 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based theory class provides students with technical knowledge in working with various building materials and concrete. The curriculumincludes studies in areas ranging from scaffold building to concrete slab work. 

Construction Craft Laborers 11 

Course # ccl300 | Credits: 20
This full-year course provides students with experience in working with various construction materials. The curriculum includes studies in various areas of the construction industry. Students will experience community work and on-site projects. Students work on a wide range of projects including building staging, line and grade, mason tending, concrete placement, hoisting and rigging, trenching and excavation, pipelaying, weatherization, demolition, and assist other trades on an as needed basis. Students also learn how to use all the various tools efficiently and safely to perform these tasks. Students are taught to dress and act in a manner that would be considered acceptable on a union job site. 

Masonry & Construction Theory 11 

Course # mc301 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course examines the principles and theory of concrete block construction, block types, modular planning, estimating, installation of windows, doors and lintels, bonding, chimneys, concrete construction, planning, mixing, pouring, finishing, curing, testing, jointing and reinforcing. Operation of various hand and power equipment and estimating masonry materials will also be covered. 

Construction Craft Laborers Cooperative Education 11 

Course # ccl305 | Credits: 12
This semester-based course provides qualified students with a career technical employment opportunity. The program is designed to allow students on-the-job training by involving them in work that is directly related to their technical area of study. Cooperating employers provide additional training, pays students, and reports their performance to the school for every cycle. Please note that juniors are eligible for Cooperative Education during third and fourth quarters only.

Construction Craft Laborers 12  

Course # ccl400  | Credits: 20
This full-year course provides students with a continuation of experiences working with various construction materials related to various areas of the construction industry. Students will continue to experience community work and on-site projects. Students will continue to gain experience through participation in a wide range of projects, including building staging, line and grade, mason tending, concrete placement, hoisting and rigging, trenching and excavation, pipelaying, weatherization, demolition, and assisting other trades on an as needed basis. In addition to what students learned in grade 11, a greater emphasis will be placed on career readiness. Students will be asked not only to perform tasks, but will be encouraged to take a leadership role when working with underclassmen. Students will learn exactly what is expected of them on the job site and how they must behave in order to maintain a job. Students will also work on finalizing their resumes and portfolios. 

Masonry & Construction Theory 12 

Course # mc401 | Credits: 4
This full-year, classroom-based course will help students learn technical theory, blueprint reading, project estimating, and the use of appropriate hand and power equipment. Topics will include concrete flatwork, footings, brick, block and stone walls along with project maintenance, repair, and computer estimating. Students will study in theory situations from outside projects in the community. 

Construction Craft Laborers Cooperative Education 12 

Course # ccl401 | Credits: 24
This full-year course provides qualified students with a career technical employment opportunity. The program is designed to allow students on-the-job training by involving them in work that is directly related to their technical area of study. Cooperating employers provide additional training, pays students, and reports their performance to the school for every cycle. 

Skip to content