The Architecture and Construction cluster is about using your skills in design, planning and management to work in careers building and maintaining structures such as buildings, homes, bridges, or machinery. Work opportunities include developing new structures, restorations, additions, alterations, and repairs. Construction is the pathway with the highest number of employment opportunities.

Civil engineers – who work on construction projects in the public and private sector – should see prospects grow due to many factors, including the need to upgrade aging infrastructure and an increase in renewable energy projects. Carpenters also should see favorable job prospects.  As the population grows, more homes will need to be built, which will drive the need for carpenters. Home remodeling needs also will drive the demand for carpenters. An increase in construction jobs over the next decade should increase the need for architects. Architects with strong technical skills and knowledge of sustainable, or “green,” design will have better job prospects.

Architecture and Construction Career Cluster PDF

Middle School or Exploratory Courses

No Courses

High School Courses

1. Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, & Plumbing I & II: #8503, #8504 (ACE)
2. CAD- Computer-Aided Drafting/3D Animation I & II: #8530, #8531 (ACE)
3. Carpentry I & II: #8601, #8602 (ACE)
4. Masonry I & II: #8512, 8513 (ACE)
5. Plumbing and Fire Protection Sprinkler Fitting I&II: #8551, #8552 (ACE)
6. Architectural Drawing/Design/CAD: #8437
7. Construction Technology: #8432

Sample Careers

1. Architectural and civil drafter or engineer
2. Environmental designer
3. Residential or commercial carpenter
4. Construction worker
5. Systems configuration manager
6. Electrical design engineer
7. Electrician
8. HVAC/HVACR technician
9. Building services technician
10. Painter
11. Sheet metal technician

High school certifications, licenses and related college majors:

High School/Industry Certifications	Certificate/License	College Degrees
EPA Technician Examination (Core)	Apprenticeship	Architectural Engineering
CAD		Civil Engineering
NCCER Introductory Craft Skill Entry Level Assessment I/Core: Carpentry, Electricity, Masonry		Construction Management
		Interior Design
		Urban Planning

In Demand Careers

Education Needed	Occupation	Median Salary	Job Growth Over next 10 years	Job Openings Projected over next 10 years
High School Diploma + Certification	Electricians	$56,180 per year	8% (Much faster than average)	62,200
High School Diploma + Certification	Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	$55,160 per year	4% (As fast as average)	20,900
High School Diploma + Certification	Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	$48,730 per year	4% (As fast as average)	15,100
Bachelor’s Degree or more	Construction Managers	$95,260 per year	8% (Much faster than average)	40,400
Bachelor’s Degree or more	Electrical and Electronics Engineers	$101,250 per year	3% (As fast as average)	10,800
Bachelor’s Degree or more	Environmental Engineers	$88,860 per year	3% (As fast as average)	1,700

Student Leadership Organizations

SkillsUSA: SkillsUSA is a United States career and technical student organization serving more than 395,000 high school, college and middle school students and professional members enrolled in training programs in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations.

Work-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) is comprised of experiences related to students’ career interests, based on instructional preparation, and undertaken in partnership with local businesses or organizations. WBL enables students to apply classroom instruction in a real-world work environment. Work-Based Learning promotes Career Awareness, Career Exploration, and Career Preparation.