Construction and Technical Programs

Program Chair Rodney Thomas
Program Advisor Tom Mason

The purpose of the Construction and Technical Programs is to prepare individuals for initial employment in a wide range of industrial occupations. Individuals completing Construction and Technical Programs are qualified to function as skilled or semi-skilled workers. Instruction is provided in a classroom setting for technical-related theory, safety, mathematics, and science, and in a laboratory and shop setting for manipulative skill development, and on-the-job experience. Many of the programs are housed in Santa Fe’s Charles R. Perry Construction Institute (Building O). The college also utilizes apprenticeship and cooperative methods of instruction.

The programs provide a wide range of opportunities to enhance current employment and to provide a career ladder for advancement. Students who choose to change majors at Santa Fe may have their transcripts evaluated for credit toward our degrees. It is possible for students who have partially completed General Education requirements toward an Associate in Arts degree to transfer these credits toward the Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science.

A program advisor is available in the Construction and Technical Programs area to provide information about the programs as well as admission, advisement, and registration assistance to prospective, currently enrolled and returning students. For an appointment: call 352-395-5362, email tom.mason@sfcollege.edu. or visit the office on the Northwest Campus in Building O, room 127.

Scholarships will be awarded annually to provide financial assistance to eligible graduating seniors from Alachua and Bradford counties who attend Santa Fe College. Additionally, scholarships are available to assist women entering the Construction and Technical programs of Automotive, Building Maintenance and Management, Construction Management, HVAC, or Welding who are enrolled full time at Santa Fe College. Funds include full tuition fees, lab fees, and books. Please call 352-395-5362 for more details on scholarships.

Building Construction Associate in Arts Degree
Please consult the Associate in Arts degree section of this catalog as a well as the catalog of the university that you plan to attend.

High School Dual Enrollment
Many of our programs can be attended by High School Dual Enrollment (HSDE) students. The HSDE option is one that would save money and help put a young person on the fast track towards a great technical career. Options vary depending on the program of interest.

For more information, call Tom Mason at 352-395-5362 or email tom.mason@sfcollege.edu. For information on High School Dual Enrollment, call the Dual Enrollment office at 352-395-5490.

Apprenticeship Programs
“Earn while you learn” is the philosophy of Santa Fe College’s Apprenticeship Program. The construction industry needs electricians, carpenters, plumbers, and A/C and heating technicians. Because of this demand, worlds of opportunity open to those who learn a valuable trade through one of these apprenticeships. Expect to earn a good salary while working up to the level of journeyperson.

Apprenticeships provide the individual who is working in the field an opportunity to learn the technical aspects of a trade in the classroom while applying this knowledge on the job. The combination of these two aspects prepares the apprentice to advance through the trade at an accelerated rate. Apprentices earn a guaranteed wage throughout the training with incremental raises at various stages in the program.

Students attend class two nights a week during the fall and spring terms. The length of most of the programs is four years except for carpentry, which is two years. Classroom activities in conjunction with on-the-job training prepare the students to perform as tradespersons upon completion. Students not currently employed in the field will be helped in seeking employment with sponsoring contractors. The program is sponsored by the Builders Association of North Central Florida. For more information, call Justin MacDougall at 352-395-5251 or email justin.a.macdougall@sfcollege.edu.

New trainees for all apprenticeship programs must first complete the core curriculum, which provides a basic introduction to construction skills and covers the following:

Basic Safety (OSHA 10)
Introduction to Construction Mathematics
Introduction to Hand Tools
Introduction to Power Tools
Introduction to Blueprints
Basic Riggings
Material Handling

Programs

Associate in Applied Science

Automotive Service Management Technology, A.A.S.

Associate in Science

Construction Management Technology, A.S.

Certificate