Construction & Millwork

Whether you are building your own home or just looking for practical skills to help with projects around the house, the Basic Construction & Millwork Certificate program is consolidated and focuses on hands-on construction cabinet-making/woodworking skill sets.

Students who want to gain applicable skills for personal construction projects or to become more employable in the construction industry can look no further… the Basic Construction & Millwork program focuses on four classes that will help you become the handyman or woman you’ve always wanted to be.

One way to manage the affordable housing issue in our area is to have skills that can provide sweat equity in your own home or perhaps help pay the rent. These are practical skills that can be taken anywhere while providing the security of a labor force that is difficult to outsource in the global economy. Come utilize our great shop & equipment resources & see why A-B Tech is the community’s Community College.

This program can be split into a Fall/Spring or taken in one Fall semester

Specific Requirements

Courses requiring a grade of “C” or better: BPR, CST

First Semester

Course Code	Course	Credit Hours	Link to course details
BPR-130		3
This course covers the interpretation of prints and specifications that are associated with design and construction projects. Topics include interpretation of documents for foundations, floor plans, elevations, and related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to read and interpret construction prints and documents. View course details for Print Reading-Construction ‌‌
CAB-119		7
This course introduces wood technology, cabinet construction, and mill-working. Topics include safety, hand/power tools, wood identification and use, wood joinery, abrasives, cabinet layout, laminates, finishing techniques, and other related topics. Upon completion, students should be able to select and process materials using accurate drawings and cut lists and install finished products. View course details for Cabinetry/Millworking ‌‌
CST-111		4
This course covers standard and alternative building methods to include wall framing. Topics include safety and footings, foundations, floor framing systems, and wall framing systems commonly used in the construction industry. Upon completion, students should be able to safely erect all framing necessary to begin roof framing. View course details for Construction I ‌‌
CST-112		4
This course covers building methods and materials used to dry-in a building. Topics include safety, ceiling/roof framing applications, roof finishes, windows, and exterior doors. Upon completion, students should be able to safely erect different roof types and properly install window and exterior doors, roofing, and exterior finish materials. View course details for Construction II ‌‌

Total Credit Hours Required:

Curriculum is based on the 2024-2025 catalog.

Ever wonder how A-B Tech awards credit for a certain course?

A-B Tech complies with the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges Code, so your courses are assigned the course level and receive the same amount of credit as courses at all 58 North Carolina Community Colleges.

If you want to read more about this, see the A-B Tech Policy and Procedure for the Assignment of Course Level Credit.

Alumni with this credential could apply for advanced framing carpentry positions or with a cabinet shop/woodworking business. This certificate can be completed in one Fall semester or split between Spring & Fall semesters. This credential provides students with tangible skillsets that also apply to homesteading, home repair, and various DIY projects.

Carpenters in our area can make $20-45/hour depending on the company & skill level. As of Jun 29, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Carpenter in Asheville is $25.45 an hour.

We partner with local industry & sustainability advocate groups which provides our students & alumni great opportunities for networking and employment with business members.

Heath Moody, Chair, Construction Management

Email: brantonhmoody@abtech.edu
Phone: (828) 398-7349

Maggie M. Shoup, FT Faculty - Construction Management & Building Science

Email: maggiemshoup@abtech.edu
Phone: (828) 398-7232