The Certificate of Achievement in Construction Technology—Construction Management Option prepares students with the knowledge-base necessary to be employable in the construction industry. Topics will include the critical evaluation of established building standards including codes, architectural design, and project management. The educational outcomes will include the ability to identify code-compliant construction, interpret legal requirements, differentiate the use of technical vocabulary, analysis of blueprints and specifications, and examination of project sequence.

The Construction Technology (CT) program has two options; Building Inspection and Construction Management. The Building Inspection option has an emphasis on code interpretation and project design. The Construction Management option has an emphasis on business management and project supervision. Students can enroll into an individual class in order to develop a specific skill set such as a license or industry certification, or complete a one-year vocational Certificate of Achievement degree, or complete a two-year Associate of Science degree, or prepare for transfer to a university-level Bachelor of Science program. Ventura College CT students are prepared for a wide range of construction-related positions such as self-employed contractors, building inspection, project designers, and various levels of supervision. The CT program provides many different courses to serve diverse student needs.

The CT program at Ventura College is over 40 years old. The program was founded as a means to help educate and train builders and inspectors along the central California coast. The courses are designed for beginning students as well as working professionals. Our emphasis is on helping to train qualified construction managers and industry craftsmen. There are two programs: Building Inspection and Construction Management. Job opportunities in both fields are excellent. Students can enroll into an individual class in order to develop specialized skills, or complete a one-year Certificate of Achievement program, or complete a two-year Associate of Science degree.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• Prepare and evaluate construction cost estimates using quantity takeoffs, unit pricing, and cost-control methods appropriate to residential and light commercial projects.
• Interpret and apply construction drawings and written specifications to determine scope of work, materials, and sequencing requirements.
• Develop and analyze construction schedules that establish the logical sequence of construction activities and coordination of trades.
• Differentiate and coordinate office operations and field operations to support project planning, documentation, communication, and site supervision.
• Apply applicable building codes, safety standards, and regulatory requirements to evaluate construction work for compliance and risk management.