If you’re interested in learning construction, you may wonder where you can find classes that teach this topic. The good news is that there are a variety of construction classes available in-person, live online, and asynchronously. This means that learners at all levels, including those who are just getting started in construction, can find study options that are suited to their learning needs and skill level. A simple Google search can help interested learners find an array of free supplemental construction resources such as YouTube videos or online tutorials. Learners can also find live and asynchronous training options by using tools like Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me search feature, which allows them to find coursework that’s close to home and at the appropriate difficulty level.
Keep reading to find out more about how to find in-person and online construction courses, as well as the unique benefits each of these training formats provides learners.
What is Construction?
Construction is a broad term that involves building systems, objects, or organizations. Building construction includes all activities on a site that involve assembling and erecting structures. This term also includes the planning, financing, and design initiatives required throughout the building process to ensure structures remain usable. In addition to the building phase, construction entails any maintenance-related repairs, expansion projects, demolition initiatives, or dismantling tasks.
There are four primary types of construction: residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure. Residential construction involves building single or multi-family dwellings for individuals and their families. Commercial construction entails building or renovating commercial structures such as warehouses, storage facilities, or office spaces that can be sold or leased. Industrial construction is the practice of building structures or premises like power plants, processing plants, factories, or warehouses that can be used for manufacturing-related tasks. Infrastructure construction is the act of building, renovating, and maintaining private or public structures like tunnels, water supply lines, railways, roads, and bridges.
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Why Learn Construction
Studying construction is a great opportunity for those who enjoy being outdoors or working with their hands to acquire the training necessary to pursue a range of dynamic, high-paying career paths. Construction jobs are an excellent alternative to desk jobs; these physically active roles promote fitness and health. Because construction projects are available at many locations, this career path provides professionals with geographical flexibility and the possibility of working in many settings or locations. Construction training also helps individuals develop problem-solving skills, which can be used in a variety of circumstances and situations outside the professional sector. Additionally, since construction projects often involve multiple team members or teams, training can provide learners with the collaborative skills and tools necessary to effectively communicate with multiple stakeholders.
Working on a construction project is a good opportunity to experience the sense of accomplishment and pride that corresponds with seeing a project through. Those who construct houses, bridges, tunnels, or factories can see firsthand the tangible results of their labors and take comfort in knowing that these structures will be used for many years. Since construction projects play an integral role in community development and maintenance, construction professionals know that the fruits of their efforts will have a positive impact on communities. Constructing hospitals, schools, or playgrounds improves the quality of life for those in the community and can provide a sense of fulfillment for every professional who contributes to the process.
In addition to its myriad professional uses in the construction industry, construction training also can help those in other fields perform a range of pragmatic tasks. Those studying construction can apply this knowledge to fields like engineering, architecture, and graphic design. Basic knowledge of the construction process, delivery methods and contacting types, building elements, safety, construction terminology, and sustainability practices can be an asset for anyone interested in exploring how to create structures or systems. Additionally, non-professionals who acquire basic construction skills can use this knowledge for home improvement projects, including small home renovations and repairs. This skill set is also helpful for property maintenance-related tasks such as repairing drywall, fixing dripping faucets, or replacing light fixtures. Familiarity with basic construction terms and processes can also help homeowners more effectively communicate with Contractors about upcoming projects. These skills also are helpful for those who work in property management or real estate.
How to Learn Construction
If you’re interested in learning construction, you may be curious about what types of training options are available. Students can select from in-person classes, live online courses, and on-demand study options. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks to weigh before deciding which is best for you.
Learners who thrive in the traditional classroom environment will find in-person construction training the most interactive and engaging way to learn this skill set. Students attend class at a designated training facility located in or near a major city and use computers with the most current software installed. An expert instructor with real-world construction experience leads each session and provides a supportive environment in which students can ask questions as they arise and receive immediate support. This training format requires that students have access to a reliable form of transportation and that they live relatively close to a training center.
One popular alternative to in-person construction training is live online study. This type of coursework is a good option for those who prefer live classes but don’t want to commute to and from meetings. All classes are taught remotely using a live teleconferencing platform like Zoom. Those enrolled can ask questions in the moment and even grant the instructor permission to share their screen if they need more individualized guidance on tricky concepts. The live training format allows students to connect with one another in real time, which can add a sense of community and camaraderie during training. While live online study does require being able to attend classes that meet regularly, it eliminates the need to battle rush-hour traffic or waste time and money on parking.
Self-paced construction training is the most flexible way to learn this topic. Whereas live classes occur in real-time, self-paced classes are pre-recorded and placed online. Students can access them as their schedule permits and devote as little or as much time each day to their studies as they wish. On-demand training is available to learners at all levels, including those with little or no construction training. Many top educators like Udemy and Coursera offer self-paced classes that range in length from just a few hours to several weeks or months. Some beginner-level programs are even available for free. Those interested in self-paced training should keep in mind that since courses are asynchronous, no instructor will be present to answer questions.
Where to Find In-Person Construction Classes
If you’re the kind of learner who thrives in a traditional classroom environment, in-person construction classes are for you. In-person training is available at computer labs located in or near most major US cities. These facilities include computers with the most up-to-date construction software already installed and ready to use. Students learn in real time from an instructor who’s there to guide lessons, share real-world insights, and ensure that all learners are receiving individualized support along the way. In-person courses are available for beginners, intermediate, and advanced-level students. Learners can select from short skills courses that generally take several days to complete, bootcamps that usually require a few weeks, and certificates that offer the most comprehensive, in-depth form of training over several weeks or months.
If you want to search for in-person construction training options near where you live, you can use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool. This provides essential information that you can compare, including the course’s difficulty level, length, cost, and basic learning outcomes. Learners can select from programs that focus on specific tools like AutoCAD or Civil 3D, as well as programs that teach topics like construction management, fire protection design, or BIM construction best practices.
Where to Find Live Online Construction Classes
If you want to study construction through live coursework but are unable to attend courses that meet at a training facility, an excellent alternative is live online training. Similar to in-person study, live online classes provide students with the benefit of connecting with a live instructor and learning alongside others in real time. Participants attend training using a live teleconferencing platform like Zoom, which allows them to ask questions in the moment and receive immediate support and guidance. Those seeking additional help can even grant the instructor permission to share their screen for more help. Since all construction training can be completed remotely, learners don’t have to waste time battling rush-hour traffic to attend class or spend money on tolls, gas, and parking.
If studying construction through live online training seems like a good option for you, many providers offer part-time and full-time classes. Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool is also a great resource for locating live online construction classes. Many providers offer construction classes in both the in-person and live online format to accommodate those unable to attend training physically. This form of study is a great option for those who live far from major cities or who don’t have access to a reliable form of transportation.
Where to Find Self-Paced Construction Classes
Some learners can’t commit to attending classes that meet at regularly scheduled intervals such as twice a week. For them, self-paced construction classes are a good alternative. This type of training is the most flexible way to learn construction since all content was recorded at an earlier time and loaded online. Students can access lessons, which typically include video instruction, tutorials, and exercises, and complete these as their schedule permits. This may mean devoting an entire weekend to exploring fire safety design or spacing this training out for an hour each night after work for two weeks. Each student can decide when to pause lessons, rewind them, or rewatch them to ensure they’re absorbing the material. These programs are a great option for those who work full-time, have busy personal lives, travel a lot, or simply want to be in charge of their own learning speed.
The VCD Institute offers a range of self-paced construction classes for learners at all levels. Beginner-friendly, on-demand classes are available in topics like construction management, cost estimation, fire protection, interiors and finish site work, and self-management. Learners can opt for short, stand-alone classes or more comprehensive bundles that include multiple courses. Certification programs are also offered, which provide in-depth training for those who already have construction knowledge and want to master advanced-level concepts for professional purposes. Learners can select from certifications in software like Revit, Civil 3D, and AutoCAD.
Where to Find Free and Supplemental Construction Classes
In addition to for-pay construction classes, many providers offer free construction classes as well. Since no monetary investment is required, these provide a low-stakes way to get started learning construction without the need to invest a penny in training. A simple Google search can yield a range of free construction training options from reputable providers like Coursera and Udemy. Udemy has several short, pre-recorded video courses that focus on construction-related topics. Its class, Delivering the Perfect Construction Project, takes less than one hour to complete and includes an overview of the stages of a construction project, fundamental construction management skills, and how these skills can be used on various construction projects. Coursera has a free ten-module program, Construction Project Management, which is intended for those seeking more in-depth training pertaining to construction management. This on-demand class includes instruction on topics like supply chains and logistics, operations management, project planning, and technology trends.
Another great resource for free supplemental construction training is YouTube. There are many YouTube channels devoted entirely to construction and construction-related tools and software. Learners can find short introductory videos that take just ten or fewer minutes to watch and teach them basic construction management concepts. They can also opt for more specialized content pertaining to skills like house framing, electrical wiring, building codes, or software like Autodesk Revit or AutoCAD. Video content is available for learners at all levels.
Free resources usually aren’t sufficient on their own to provide comprehensive construction training. They can, however, be an effective supplement to live training. Since no instructor is available with free resources, learners don’t receive the same individualized attention and guidance they would receive through live instruction. In addition, because of how prevalent free construction training resources are, those interested in learning this subject with tools like YouTube or free classes should do a bit of research into the source of the content to ensure it’s current and reflects the most up-to-date best practices in the industry. While live classes do cost money to attend, they are often worth the financial investment because they provide hands-on training and real-time support to ensure all students are mastering the concepts being taught.
Learn Construction with Self-Paced VDCI Courses
If you’re interested in learning more about construction, you can find construction classes at VDCI. The Virtual Design and Construction Institute (VDCI) is an accredited educator that provides comprehensive online training in a range of construction-related tools and topics.
Those interested in learning construction basics can enroll in the Construction Fundamentals Course Bundle. This beginner-level program provides participants with training in all the core elements of the building construction process, from preliminary site work to final installations. This bundle includes six courses that prepare participants to work with all major systems and materials in a building. Students acquire basic construction terminology and the steps for constructing a building. This set of classes includes a free 1-on-1 individual training session.
In the Construction Management Bundle Course, learners devote several weeks to building a solid foundation in the skills and tools required to work in construction management or project management. This two-part immersive program includes an overview of the construction industry, various sectors, site logistics, document control, master planning, and scheduling. A 1-on-1 bonus training is included with tuition.
The VDCI also offers a Construction Estimator Course. This introductory-level program is led by a professional Construction Estimator with real-world experience creating cost estimates. Participants devote several weeks to exploring the different types of estimates and how they are organized. Students study the reason for offering estimates, the tools available to assist with this process, and the skills needed to provide accurate estimates. All participants complete a graded project.
Aspiring construction professionals can also enroll in VDCI’s Blueprint Reading Fundamentals Course Bundle. This set of self-paced courses offers expert instruction in basic blueprint reading skills for use in commercial or residential construction projects. This comprehensive class requires several weeks of on-demand study. Coursework is taught by a licensed Architect and includes basic training in scale, drawing types, and specifications for mixed-use projects. This class is intended to help professionals like Engineering Interns, Architects, Drafters, and Designers understand and interpret blueprints. By course completion, participants will be able to independently navigate a set of construction documents. This class includes a free 1-on-1 bonus training session.