Best Construction Classes in Atlanta

What is Construction?

Construction is the process of building or assembling structures like buildings, bridges, roads, and other infrastructure. It involves turning ideas and plans into physical realities, whether it’s a residential home, commercial space, or even a public structure. The process typically includes various stages from design to planning and securing permits for the build to passing inspections to prove everything is up to code. Construction brings architectural, engineering, construction, and many other professionals together to collaborate on a meaningful project that will exist for years to come.

For as long as humans have existed, they have been involved in some form of construction -- for shelter, for safety, for storage, and other purposes. Its history dates back thousands of years, starting with basic shelters made from natural materials. Over time, as societies grew, the desire for more complex structures grew as well. From the pyramids of ancient Egypt to skyscrapers today, construction has evolved considerably and now relies heavily on advanced machinery, software like CAD, and safety standards to ensure efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Construction is more than just building structures -- it’s about creating environments that help shape our world.

Best Construction Classes in Atlanta

In VDCI’s CAD Certificate Program, you will spend 280 total hours learning necessary skills for construction design and will learn to create, manage, and organize CAD drawings with precision. This opens doors to careers in fields like architecture, engineering, and construction. You’ll study industry practices and develop mastery in 2D drafting and technical design with AutoCAD. Through projects and practice, you’ll be able to apply the best practices for file organization, document creation, and project management. With the skills you acquire, you’ll recognize the importance of accuracy and standardization through the technical drawings. The course ends with a capstone project. You’ll earn a certificate of completion and other resources to help you truly succeed.

Learn Construction

• Nationally accredited
• Create your own portfolio
• Free student software
• Learn at your convenience
• Authorized Autodesk training center

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At VDCI, you can learn all the different roles played by a typical design and construction team in the Construction Fundamentals Course Bundle. This 19-week course covers everything from the soil types and different kinds of heavy equipment like cranes to utilities and the best practices for preparing the work site. You’ll learn more about designing the building structure and enclosure, ensuring everything is up to code and safe. For instance, you’ll learn the best practices for keeping water out and the temperature inside controlled as well as using steel in structural systems. Within the interior, you’ll also explore mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) and any safety protocols, such as fire suppression systems and functional elevators. You’ll complete a final project that gives you more hands-on experience with the construction field and will earn you a certificate upon successfully passing the course.

Also from VDCI, you can explore the nine-week Blueprint Reading & Construction Estimating Course Bundle that offers comprehensive training in reading and interpreting construction drawings. It also includes strategies and practices for estimating project costs accurately. You will practice reading architectural, structural, and MEP plans as well as calculate the cost for materials, labor, and other budgeting concerns. Through quantity surveying and estimating takeoffs, you will learn how to become a proficient and productive construction employee.

You could also opt for the Blueprint Reading Course - Residential Construction course which teaches you more about the inter-relationship between drawings in construction documents and allows you to analyze these drawings for different purposes. You will learn how to further evaluate these documents as a means of recognizing how important consistency is when working in this field. Overall, you’ll pick up essential blueprint reading and drawing skills in addition to learning how to read everything from title sheets and floor plans to interior elevations and roof plans. Similarly, if you’re more interested in commercial work, you could explore the Blueprint Reading Course - Commercial Construction course. This allows you to dive deeper into construction documents for projects like hotels, retail shops, and parking garages. You’ll explore mixed-use commercial projects that differ greatly from that of residential construction. With both courses, you will have a well-developed and fully-stocked arsenal of construction skills at your disposal. 

Noble Desktop also offers an AutoCAD Certification Program that takes students through three levels of advancement and provides six additional hours of private tutoring. In this program, you’ll learn what it takes to become certified in AutoCAD, including how to use the basic tools for drawing to more complex skills like incorporating blocks and attributes. The course comes with a free retake of the class within a year as well as proctoring for the Autodesk Certified Professional exam, which also comes with a free take. By the end of the course, you’ll feel like an AutoCAD pro and have the credentials to prove it.

They also offer an AutoCAD Bootcamp that covers basic drawing and editing commands, such as using text to annotate your drawing. You’ll also cover more advanced techniques like object types and layering techniques as well as working with tracking points and construction lines. In addition, you’ll learn how to create data tables, which are essential for keeping information organized and structured. By working through the projects and activities, you’ll receive a certificate of completion, and your confidence in using AutoCAD for projects both big and small will skyrocket.

What Can You Do with Construction Training?

With construction training, you will acquire tons of practical skills that open new doors to working on projects varying in size, type, and purpose. You can build homes, commercial spaces, or large infrastructure like bridges. The skills you’ll gain help you handle a variety of projects, such as reading blueprints and working with construction software like AutoCAD and Revit. Moreover, you’ll practice collaborating with others as you’ll have to do frequently in the real world. All in all, you’ll learn to get the project done with less stress and more efficiency.

Construction is about more than just building projects. In a typical course, you’ll likely build incredibly important project management skills where you’ll keep projects on track including everything from delegating tasks, handling budgets, and staying on top of schedules. Plus, you’ll learn how to solve problems and be resourceful enough to handle any issues should they pop up.

Plus, construction training gives you opportunities to specialize in a particular area. You may be interested in construction estimating, project management, or even building information modeling (BIM). There’s plenty of room to grow in this field whether you’re estimating costs, managing budgets, or using the latest industry-standard software to design projects. There are many directions you can choose -- with proper training, you’ll be equipped to contribute your expertise to projects both big and small.

What Will I Learn in a Construction Class?

Construction classes vary in length, depth, and content but there are some skills you’ll acquire in a typical construction course. You’ll learn how to read blueprints, which is the foundation of any project. Knowing how to interpret construction drawings is essential for getting started on anything, from a residential build to a commercial space. You will also become familiar with AutoCAD, Revit, and BIM, which are all powerful tools that make the designing, planning, and collaborating process far less tedious. With these skills, you can visualize designs and keep everything running smoothly on-site.

You’ll also explore construction estimating, which is figuring out the total cost of a project. This includes anything needed for the build like labor, materials, and equipment. Some construction classes focus on estimating and breaking down the major details of a project so you can provide more accurate estimates. This skill is needed for new builds and renovations alike and is an essential part of keeping the project on track. 

Beyond the technical skills, you’ll pick up several important soft skills that complement your construction education. For instance, you’ll learn the importance of working with a team and communicating clearly. Many construction professionals work with others in fields like architecture and engineering but also have to discuss plans and concerns with clients. Just as important, the project management skills you’ll acquire in many construction classes help keep you organized and make sure everything stays on track.

What Kinds of Training Options are Available to Learn Construction?

When you’re just starting to learn construction, you’ll want a training option that suits your needs, schedule, goals, and learning style. There are many different ways to learn, such as in-person training. This method allows you to experience a traditional learning style, where you’ll attend classes, collaborate with peers, and learn under the guidance of an expert instructor. You will work on hands-on projects and get practical exposure to the subject and its common tasks. Overall, this is great for those who need structure to hold them accountable.

However, if you aren’t willing or able to make the commute yet still want live, instructor-led training, consider a live online class. These allow you to join from anywhere, whether you live down the street or across the globe. You can work from home, the office, or even a quiet coffee shop if you prefer, which gives you a lot of additional flexibility. You can still benefit greatly from the instructor’s guidance and feedback as well as the support of your virtual peers.

For those who need even more flexibility, self-directed classes are a great choice. The course providers often have instructors and mentors ready to provide support and clarification, but you will otherwise learn the material solo. You control your schedule and complete activities at your leisure. All in all, there is a lot more freedom when you enroll in a self-directed course.

Lastly, there are on-demand classes that offer the most flexibility and freedom. You can learn whenever you want, as much as you want, or as little as you need. This gives you the chance to take your education into your own hands. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare offer construction courses where you’ll want video lectures, read articles, and do assignments on your own time.

Choosing the Right Training Method for You

With any educational pursuit, you’ll want to consider several factors before deciding which training method is right for you. In-person training offers interaction and hands-on experience which makes it easy to pick up the skills. An instructor is also there to help you progress through the curriculum and you can network with others in the class. However, you need to be present for each class, which means having the time, transportation, and funds to attend. If you have a flexible schedule and live within a reasonable distance from the training center, an in-person course is a great option. This is especially true if you want to take your training from the classroom to the workplace.

Those who can’t attend an in-person class but still want structured, professional training can opt for a live online class. You can attend from anywhere with an internet connection without needing to leave the house. The classes are interactive and collaborative and you still follow course guidelines and timelines, which works for busy professionals who want to learn new skills. Still, you have to consider several factors. First, live online training gives you more options but you may have to consider time zones. Likewise, you’ll want to avoid technical issues that could potentially disrupt your experience. Although live online training is flexible, you still have to attend a class so your schedule has to be somewhat open.

Self-directed courses give you the option to pace yourself. You can access a mentor if you need clarification, but otherwise, the course is hands-off. This method is ideal for driven individuals who don’t need someone hovering over them to make sure they get their work done. On the other hand, this requires such a high level of discipline that it could be easy for even the most determined learner to fall off course. Plus, the limited interaction makes it a little less effective if that’s not your vibe. You might find that you spend more time on certain trickier topics and fall a little behind where you thought you would be.

Lastly, on-demand classes are incredibly flexible and offer a wide range of options, from beginner to advanced and short courses to certificates. They are cost-effective and allow you to revisit material as you wish, skip information that you feel is unnecessary, and study according to your comfort level. However, these classes lack interaction, so you can procrastinate or lose motivation as a result. Most importantly, consider the quality of the on-demand course you pick. Some providers have a wide variety of courses, but some are not aligned with current industry standards. Above all else, ensure the provider is reputable before choosing an on-demand course.

Construction Job Titles and Salaries

A Construction Project Manager oversees all aspects of a construction project, from start to finish. They manage budgets, timelines, and coordination between contractors, subcontractors, and stakeholders to ensure everything stays on the right track. Construction Project Managers living in Atlanta can expect an average salary of $99,000, per reports from Indeed. This is roughly the same as the national average and the field offers room for growth.

CAD Drafters use computer-aided design software to create technical drawings and blueprints. They work with sketches provided by Engineers, Architects, and Designers to turn ideas into precise plans used for construction or manufacturing. A CAD Drafter located in Atlanta can earn close to $60,000 but has plenty of room for growth and advancement, according to Indeed.

A Construction Estimator calculates the total cost of a project by analyzing blueprints, materials, labor, and other factors. They provide detailed cost estimates to ensure projects don’t go out of budget. According to Indeed, Atlanta-based Construction Estimators earn 16% above the national average, landing at roughly $94,000. However, salaries can vary depending on your level of seniority. For instance, a Junior Construction Estimator earns closer to $68,000 whereas a senior-level employee could earn closer to $103,000.

Construction Corporate Training

One of the best ways for companies to build a stronger, more skilled workforce is through corporate training. For specialized, technical areas like construction, having reputable training is imperative. Luckily, with options like those offered at VDCI, your team can have all their needs met. Whether your team needs more focus on estimating, project management, or safety protocols, the instructor can adjust the lessons to cover exactly what’s most important. You can choose from live online or in-person lessons that are customized to suit the team's specific needs so your team will get to cover exactly what is most important. With hands-on practice, your team will get realistic experience in the field and be able to apply their skills right away.

VDCI also allows your organization to purchase bulk vouchers for regular classes at a discounted rate. This is ideal if you need to train multiple teams or employees but want to be smart about your spending. If you are curious about corporate training at VDCI, reach out to partnerships@vdci.edu to ask questions, get insight into training options, and schedule today.