MESA, Arizona - July 12, 2023 –The Construction Trades program at Mesa Community College (MCC) will offer new certificate programs beginning with the Fall 2023 semester.
Plumbing courses will be offered in Fall 2023, HVACr courses in Spring 2024 and masonry and solar classes will be available in Summer 2024 at the Southern and Dobson Campus.
“We’re implementing the construction trades programs in annual phases,” said David Cain Ph.D., MCC Construction Trades program director. “These are the traditional trades that keep our economy going. All through COVID and within the foreseeable future, skilled trade workers are in high demand.”
“We have contractors, suppliers, and vendors calling weekly looking to hire our students,” Cain added. “The Construction Trades program spaces will be expanding in our parking lot to the east of the Applied Science and Technology Building. The plan is to have a fenced area that has three non-brick and mortar buildings that are assembled with shipping containers and Quonset structures that allow MCC to hold classes outside in the building environment. It is our goal and mission to deliver qualified skilled trades workers to meet the growing demand in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.”
A Certificate of Completion (CCL) can be completed in two semesters. Students begin with an eight-week online course covering construction safety, hand and power tools, calculations and blueprint reading. The last eight weeks consist of hands-on training in a lab, based on the student's chosen area of specialization.
The 30-credit program is conveniently set up to offer day and evening classes and flexible teaching modalities including In person, Online only, Live online and Hybrid.
MCC student Agustin Hernandez works full-time in construction and says he wouldn’t be able to attend classes if it wasn’t for the evening courses.
After a number of years in the field, Hernandez decided to continue his education. “I realized without a degree, I wouldn’t be able to advance,” he says. Plus, Hernandez likes that, “there are other students just like me in the program, some younger and some older who are looking to do what I want to do.”
Hernandez’s daughter, Lilly, also an MCC student, is on track to graduate from the Construction Management program in Spring of 2024.
Learn more about the MCC Construction Trades program at mesacc.edu/construction. To enroll, contact Student Services Analyst Megan Taylor, megan.taylor@mesacc.edu.
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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892
Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, service-learning and innovative approaches to education. Host to more than 24,400 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations. On average MCC students provide 23,000 hours of community service annually. For more than 50 years, the college has served as a resource for education, workforce development and lifelong learning. MCC is transforming student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution. Nearly 50% of MCC students are the first in their families to attend college. MCC has the largest indigenous student population of all the Maricopa Community Colleges. The American Indian Institute serves students from 22 federally recognized Arizona tribes and out-of-state tribes. Our diverse student body includes hundreds of international students from around the world. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to attain their goals. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional territories of the O'odham, Piipaash and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Visit mesacc.edu to learn more.
MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.