Skilled Trades & Technology

Every trades worker uses a variety of fasteners, adhesives, and sealants for many different tasks in construction. As a worker in the building trades industry, you are expected to know how to select the appropriate fastener, adhesive, or sealant for the specific job and then install or use it properly and safely.

After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:

• Select the appropriate fastener type and size for common construction jobs.
• Explain how to use common fastener types correctly.
• Describe different types and uses of common adhesives.
• Describe common sealants and their uses.

Every trades worker uses a variety of tools to complete their tasks. Some of these tools are general construction tools and others are highly specialized tools needed to accomplish a specific task. It is essential that every trades worker understand how to use tools safely and properly as well as how to maintain, care for, and store them. This course focuses on how to use common hand tools properly and safely as well as how to maintain the tools so that they last for years.

After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:

• Explain and apply general and tool safety, care, and storage practices.
• Identify and explain how to use various types of measurement and layout tools.
• Identify and explain how to use a variety of hammers and nail pullers.
• Identify and explain how to use various types of pliers, screwdrivers, and wrenches.
• Identify and explain how to use various cutting tools.
• Identify and explain how to use various digging tools.
• Identify and explain how to use various holding, securing, and moving tools.
• Identify and explain how to use various fitting tools.
• Explain procedures and concepts related to handling materials safely.
• Identify and explain the use of non-motorized material handling equipment.

In order to complete the required tasks, trade and construction workers use construction drawings that show the actual components of the building project. Drawings provide the locations of the parts of a structure, the types of materials to be used, and the proper layout. There are several types of drawings, each with a specific purpose. There are also basic components, standard drawing elements, and specific measurement tools that are used with construction drawings. Construction and trades workers must develop their skills in reading and using construction drawings properly.

After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:

• Identify the types of construction drawings, including their fundamental components and features.
• Properly an engineer’s and architect’s scale.

Most jobs in the construction and craft trades industry require a solid foundation in basic math to measure, calculate, read plans, and layout materials. This math includes basic adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing as well as accurate measuring, algebra, geometry, and sometimes trigonometry.

After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:

• Use whole numbers in basic math problems related tasks in the trades
• Use various tools to make accurate linear measurements
• Use fractions in basic math problems related tasks in the trades
• Use decimals in basic math problems related to tasks in the trades
• Convert units of length, weight, volume, and temperature between the U.S. customary scale and the metric system
• Apply basic geometry concepts to trade-related problems
• Calculate area and volume of two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes
• Perform basic business math problems related to the trades
• Correctly solve trades-related math problems

The building trades industry is broad based and complex. Activities range from general construction skills to highly technical job-specific skills such as welding, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and many others. There is a very strong demand for workers and it is expected that that demand will only increase as populations, business, and local economies expand. There are currently tens of thousands of new jobs and replacement worker jobs as the current workforce leaves or retires.

Nationally, it is expected that over one million construction-related jobs will be created over the next ten years at all levels. This lesson provides an orientation to the building trades and technology industry and identifies several career path options as well as required professional skills for entry level workers.

After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:

• Describe the building trades industry
• Explain the concept of green building
• Describe a residential and commercial construction site
• Identify various career options within the building trades
• Identify the required professional skills in the building trades industry

Every trades worker uses a variety of power tools to complete their tasks. Some of these tools are general construction tools and others are highly specialized according to their specific skill set. It is essential that every trades work understand how to use power tools safely and properly as well as how to maintain and store them. This course focuses on how to use common power tools properly and safely as well as how to maintain the tools so that they last for years and stay safe to use.

After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:

• Identify and explain how to use selected power tools.
• Identify and explain how to use various types of power saws.
• Identify and explain how to use various types grinder and grinder attachments.
• Identify and explain how to use a variety of other selected power tools.

A common activity at many construction sites is the movement of materials and equipment from one place to another. In order to do this, you need various types of lifting equipment. This process is called rigging. Rigging describes the use of ropes, straps, chains, slings, and related fittings to hoist heavy objects into place with a crane. If you work on a construction site – either residential or commercial - you must at least understand the rigging equipment and process and how to use the Emergency Stop hand signal in case of an emergency.

Safety is a critical consideration in rigging. Though you will require additional training to participate in rigging procedures, you should understand the equipment and safety practices.

After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:

• Identify and describe the types of rigging equipment.
• Explain how to inspect common rigging equipment for safety.
• Use the Emergency Stop hand signal.

Working at a construction site can be dangerous. The risk for injury or worse can be reduced by eliminating at-risk behavior by workers and visitors, training, and assuring that every person recognizes the hazards and knows how to avoid them as well as handle an incident if it does occur.

Safety must be incorporated into all aspects of the job of every employee. With that in mind, this module focuses on basic construction site safety. You will learn why it is important, how to look for and identify common hazards, and what to do when you find them as well as how to protect yourself using some common sense and personal protective equipment.

After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:

• Explain why safety is important in the workplace, the causes of incidents and accidents, the associated costs, and the process of hazard recognition and control, including HAZCOM and SDSs.
• Explain requirements for working safely in elevated working using ladders, stairs, and scaffolds, including fall prevention, arrest, and protection guidelines
• Explain struck-by hazards and caught-in-between, including how to avoid them
• Explain energy-related hazards, including how to avoid them and lockout/tagout procedures
• Explain proper use of personal protective equipment used in construction worksites
• Explain specific job-site safety hazards including exposure hazards, environmental extremes, hot work and firefighting procedures, and confined spaces.