Best Online Construction Classes

What is Construction?

Construction has existed since early human history. As a species we have always had a strong desire to build structures for shelter, safety, and community. Modern construction still relies on the basic principles of ancient construction, but materials and techniques have evolved over time. 

There are four main kinds of construction: house building and renovation, commercial and industrial, infrastructure, and off-site manufacture. Each type of construction has its own regulations, codes, goals, and strategies, and typically construction professionals specialized in one specific field. 

Construction is a vital industry, creating buildings and spaces that connect communities, providing jobs, and improving society. The industry provides real solutions for human needs and, as a result, boasts relatively high job security. Moreover, most roles in construction are well-paid and the industry as a whole is always changing, so work remains exciting and fulfilling. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in construction, keep reading below. 

Online Construction Classes

VDCI offers career-focused software training in 2D drafting (CAD), Building Information Modeling (BIM), and Virtual Design & Construction (VDC), all conveniently held online and on-demand. A nationally-accredited institution, VCDI courses are designed for students furthering their career education or seeking career advancement opportunities in the design and construction industry. They offer affordable, accelerated programs taught by industry professionals and take a real-world, project-based learning approach to equip students with practical and relevant skills that are instantly applicable in their fields.

Learn Construction

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

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Below are a handful of their online offerings. Their courses are divided into two main types: fast track (the first two courses listed below) and certificate programs. 

BIM Certificate Program

During this program, you’ll learn how to create a 3D model of a moderately complex commercial project and create the construction documents directly from the BIM model. You can specialize in AutoCAD Fundamentals, Revit MEP, Revit Structure, or other training paths listed in the VDCI Catalog. All courses are taught by practicing professionals and focus on a real-world, project-based approach. They’re all also nationally accredited and accelerated, condensing material into shorter, comprehensive programs. This means you’ll be able to earn a credential and enter the workforce fully trained in a fraction of the time of traditional degrees.

CAD Certificate Program

Want to learn AutoCAD from the very beginning? This course will teach you how to create construction documents and implement problem-solving strategies. You’ll develop the necessary skills and technical knowledge in 2D drafting design utilizing Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software so you can excel in a construction design career. If you’re looking to learn even more, you can supplement your CAD knowledge by specializing in Revit Fundamentals or SketchUp.

Civil 3D Certificate Program

This comprehensive course will expose you to real-world public 3D/virtual databases while you learn about 3D data management and project file sharing through a hands-on approach. The coursework will integrate web-based technologies such as project FTP, MILCON, and city/state/national databases. Throughout the training, you’ll acquire the necessary technology skills to successfully develop and refurbish public sites and infrastructure systems with comprehensive AutoCAD Civil 3D training.

Revit MEP Professional 

In this course, you’ll learn the fundamentals of Revit, followed by the MEP-specifics of using Revit MEP tools in the BIM process. You’ll master the in-demand technical skills used to generate 3D building models and coordinate building systems (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) and efficiently use Revit Architecture and Revit MEP software. Like all of VDCI’s fast-track programs, you’ll get to enjoy free student software, the ability to learn at your convenience, scheduled due dates to help you stay on track, and no set class times. 

AutoCAD Fundamentals

During the AutoCAD Fundamentals Fast-Track Program, you’ll learn how to use AutoCAD from the very beginning to create drafting symbols, kitchen/bath fixtures, and floor plans. You’ll learn the in-demand technical skills used to create 2D designs for construction documents utilizing this AEC industry-standard software. All courses are taught by practicing professionals through hands-on, project-based training. This nationally-accredited program comes with free student software, the ability to learn at your convenience, scheduled due dates to help you stay on track, and no set class times. 

What Can You Do with Construction Training?

Within each previously mentioned category of construction, there are several key roles that you could pursue. Construction is a wide and varying field encompassing many trades, so what you can do with your training depends heavily on what sort of construction training you attend. Below are some basic ideas to explore:

• Carpentry: Building and repairing frameworks, walls, door frames, rafters, and stairs using woodworking skills. 
• Masonry: Constructing walls, foundations, and other structures using bricks, concrete blocks, or stone. 
• Electrician: Installing electrical wiring, fixtures, and systems in buildings. 
• Plumber: Installing and maintaining plumbing systems including pipes, fixtures, and drainage. 
• HVAC Technician: Installing and servicing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. 
• Construction Laborer: Cleaning up work sites, setting up scaffolding, loading and unloading materials, and assisting other tradespeople.
• Construction Manager: Overseeing the entire construction project, including budgeting, scheduling, and quality control.

What Will I Learn in a Construction Class?

Generally speaking, a construction course in any trade or field will cover the same overarching categories. Firstly, they’ll provide hands-on training in the use, maintenance and repair of construction tools and equipment. Some construction courses will even teach heavy equipment operation, including how to operate construction machinery with levers, foot pedals, switches and dials to move large objects, excavate dirt holes or trenches, pave areas and surface roads.

It’s also probable that you’ll learn the basic technical skills and engineering principles necessary to help engineers supervise building construction. Technology-focused construction courses teach skills in structural design, air conditioning and refrigeration, green building techniques (residential and commercial), welding technology and more.

Most courses will also cover certain aspects of inspecting. Whether you choose to specialize in an inspecting course or not, most trainings will cover what inspections are relevant for your field and teach you how to examine new and old structures to ensure they are built properly and follow building codes and other laws. You will also learn about blueprint reading and inspecting electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems.

Construction management is another important piece to working in construction. Quality courses will help you gain knowledge in both vertical (buildings) and horizontal (roads) construction management. They’ll cover topics like safety, project budgeting and scheduling, civil engineering, proposal writing, construction equipment and financial accounting. 

What Kinds of Training Options are Available to Learn Construction?

There are four main ways to learn construction: live in-person classes, live online courses, on-demand classes, and free resources. Each one has been outlined below so that you can consider the pros and cons. 

In-Person Classes

In-person classes are held on location at scheduled times and offer face-to-face interaction with your fellow students and your expert instructor. If you encounter any challenging material, you can ask questions in real time instead of spending unnecessary time figuring it out on your own. You are also able to work with other students, allowing you to practice teamwork skills and build relationships. This collaborative environment is available for both full-time and part-time classes and provides structure and accountability, two things that can help you succeed.

Live Online Classes

Live virtual courses are considered the middle ground between on-demand and in-person classes. You’ll attend scheduled class times from the comfort of your own home (or wherever you choose) to learn from an expert instructor. Live online classes offer instant feedback from your teacher and interactions with other students, creating the opportunity for a deeper understanding of the coursework. These classes are ideal for students that thrive in a structured learning environment but perhaps don’t live near any in-person offerings. Or, if you simply prefer online learning, then a live virtual class could be for you. 

Self-Directed 

Self-directed courses are a flexible online option for those with complicated schedules. You can attend from anywhere you choose and complete each lesson on your own time, so you can speed through easy sections and spend more time on challenging ones. But, like a live online class, you’ll still have additional support and guidance from instructors or mentors, albeit with slightly more of a delay.

On-Demand Classes

On-demand classes offer the most flexibility of any class option but don’t win any awards for speed. They do have quite a few benefits for busy professionals, though. Not only can you learn from wherever you want, you can also learn whenever you want. There are no due dates or scheduled class times, so you can take your time on challenging topics or skip over ones you’ve already mastered. 

These classes are ideal for learners with complicated schedules who need to squeeze their studying in around their work and other obligations. You’ll need to be an independent and self-motivated student to succeed in an on-demand class.

Choosing the Right Training Method for You

While each of these training options have positive attributes, they also all have disadvantages. If you rely on the accountability of live online or in-person class schedules, you may struggle to stay focused in a self-directed or on-demand course. 

When it comes to online classes, these can vary widely in cost, from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the length and depth of the program. Financial assistance is sometimes available for these courses, and you can typically set up a payment plan to help make these courses more accessible, but you’ll want to seriously consider cost when making your decision. Finally, it’s very easy to lose momentum or fall behind in a self-directed or on-demand class since you won’t have any outside accountability, so these courses tend to take longer than a structured live course.

How Hard is it to Learn Construction?

While construction doesn’t have any sort of education requirements for entry into basic roles, that doesn’t mean it isn’t difficult to learn. Construction work and various trades like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical are physically demanding, requiring strength, stamina, and manual dexterity to handle tools and materials for long hours. Many construction workers learn primarily through apprenticeships or on-the-job training, gaining practical skills alongside experienced professionals.

Plus, while entry-level positions may be accessible, developing advanced skills and expertise in specific trades like carpentry, masonry, or electrical work can take years of practice and certain certifications. 

What are the most challenging parts of learning Construction?

Understanding blueprints, basic math calculations, and knowledge of different building materials and construction techniques are essential to working in the field, and can be the most challenging parts to master. There is simply a lot of information you will need to know and, while most of this you will pick up over time, it can be overwhelming at first. Additionally, the physical requirements of construction careers cannot be understated. If you’re used to a more sedentary work environment, building up the strength and stamina needed for working in construction can be challenging and take time. 

How Long Does it Take to Learn Construction?

Depending on the extent and detail of the trade or field within construction, the time it takes to learn may vary from a few months to two years. For most basic entry-level roles, you can enter the field of construction immediately and learn while on-the-job or through an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships can last around two years, so it’s important to keep that in mind when planning out your career growth and trajectory. 

For more specific trades, certain levels of training and certification may be required. This can make the learning process take longer, say anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Once you’ve completed training and/or passed the certification exam, you will then be able to find a job and gain valuable hands-on experience through your employment. Management roles or higher ranking positions within specific trades can take even more time, as they’ll expect you to have several years of experience in the field. 

Can I Learn Construction Free Online?

You could take advantage of free resources like Noble Desktop’s YouTube channel, making the most of the insights, tools, and short tutorials made available by industry experts. Coursera also boasts hundreds of various training sessions and videos lasting from just a few minutes to a few days. While free resources are financially helpful, this method can take the most time. You’ll be responsible for sourcing all your learning materials and ensuring that you’ve covered all the important subjects of construction, and this process can take a substantial amount of time. Additionally, like on-demand courses, it’s easy to lose motivation and fall behind with free resources.

What Should I Learn Alongside Construction?

If you’re looking to make the most of your training in construction, you may also consider learning a few other complementary skills and tools. Project management would be particularly beneficial as it will help you gain knowledge on how to manage construction projects, oversee budgets and timelines, and provide you with the opportunity to land higher ranking positions within construction. You should also consider learning tools like AutoCAD and Revit, two programs commonly used within the fields of construction, architecture, and interior design. These tools allow you to render 2d and 3d models of your builds that can be shared with your workers, inspectors, various tradesmen, and even your clients and stakeholders. 

Industries that Use Construction

Because every industry requires physical spaces for storage, offices, retail stores, and more, construction is used in every sector you can imagine. There are a handful of industries where it is most commonly used, like retail, healthcare and hospitals, manufacturing, and hospitality, but these are only a handful of the applicable fields. 

Medical buildings account for over 40% of all healthcare construction and, as of 2023, at least 300 urgent care facilities—many of them multi building complexes, some with structured parking—were added in the United States, bringing the number of standalone medical operations to well over 6,000 total.

Retail is no different with early 2024 construction starts surging. February 2024 boasted a staggering 164 percent year-over-year increase—or nearly 3 million square feet. March and May of that same year also posted significant growth at 80.6 percent (1.9 million square feet) and 139.4 percent (2.6 million square feet), respectively.

Manufacturing also boasts staggering construction results. In just the first month of 2025, manufacturing construction spending was $235.91 billion, an 11.28% increase from the previous year. The surge in manufacturing construction spending is driven by construction for computer, electronic, and electrical manufacturing, and by the the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and CHIPS Act that have provided funding and tax incentives for manufacturing construction.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the U.S. hotel construction pipeline reached 6,378 projects, a new record. The upper midscale and upscale chains account for 60% of all projects in the pipeline and the early planning stage of projects has seen unprecedented growth, with projects up 15% and room counts increasing by 19% year-over-year.

Construction Job Titles and Salaries

There are many jobs you could pursue in the construction industry. You could become a Construction Project Manager, also known as a PM, and be the main point of contact with the client. You would oversee all phases of the project from start to finish and collaborate with the different stakeholders to ensure everything works as it should. Your main responsibilities would include project planning, budgeting, scheduling and risk management, quality assurance, and performance tracking, among other things. The average salary for a Construction Project Manager is $95,000. 

You could also become a General Contractor (GC) and oversee subcontractor management, materials, and equipment. A GC is often confused with a PM but the roles differ in many aspects. While a PM is hired directly by the client before the project even begins, a GC is hired only for construction and has more responsibility over the finished construction work as they are being paid just for that. General Contractors make around $30 per hour or about $62,000 per year.

A Construction Engineer is a crucial part of the design team. They ensure that the design meets safety and building regulations and requirements. They oversee that the project is built according to the drawings and specifications, and they can help solve issues that arise during the construction process that might need technical solutions. This job requires industry knowledge and experience, technical proficiency to use professional construction engineering software, and problem-solving. Construction Engineer salaries can range from $85,000-$127,00 in the U.S.

Construction Corporate Training

If you’re looking to offer in-person or online training to your office or team, VDCI can help. They offer a variety of corporate training programs, including in construction. You can order vouchers in bulk at a discount, choose which courses are available to employees, and even let your employees choose their own schedule. Plus, you can choose to have your training hosted at a location of your choosing, live online, or at our Manhattan office. 

With a top-notch customizable curriculum and instructors who are experts in their industries, VDCI’s corporate training is designed to cater to your business or organization’s needs. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, you can reach out to Noble Desktop at partnerships@vdci.edu.