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Willits High School

Residential & Commercial Construction Pathway

CTE Residential & Commercial Construction Pathway

Willits High School offers five classes in the CTE Residential & Commercial construction pathway: Electrical, Plumbing, Heavy equipment, and Construction. Each class gives students the opportunity to learn new skills, such as accountability, time management, & decision-making. As well as having a greater chance of finding a successful career. Activities done in this class include making benches, structures, and electrical use.

Several people work together on a construction project, assembling scaffolding and wooden beams.

Students work together in a workshop, assembling wooden structures with tools.

The Benefits of this Pathway and Associated Careers

Students who complete this pathway are ready to dive into many different professions. Below are a sample of the professions and their associated average salaries. While students may need to complete further college or university degrees to be fully ready for these professions, they have the understanding of the skills required and what the profession entails.

Jobs Requiring less than a Bachelor of Science

Jobs Requiring a Bachelor of Science or above

Required Courses Needed to Complete Pathway

  • This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of electricity as applied in residential construction and renovation. Students are introduced to the general principles of electricity, job site considerations, and safety practices. Proper use of tools and materials will be demonstrated and applied in a lab setting. This course includes an introduction to the National Electric Code (NEC), and content on energy efficiency, and prepares students for employment and certification options.

    Available for grade 9-12(11-12 preferred

    Two people work together on a wooden structure, one reaching up to adjust it.

  • This course introduces students to the basic concepts, vocabulary, tools, materials, and practices of residential plumbing. Students learn about various plumbing systems, focusing on pipes, fittings, fixtures, layout, water heating, and concepts related to energy and resource-efficient plumbing. This course includes an introduction to the Uniform Plumbing Code and hands-on practice in design, layout, installation, troubleshooting, and repair.

    Available for grades 9-12

    A person in orange overalls and a blue cap works on a large metal pipe.

  • This course will introduce students to power lifts and heavy equipment common on construction sites, and provide training in their safe operation, including powered industrial trucks (forklifts) and through a simulator, other heavy equipment. Students will participate in demonstrations of equipment use and equipment maintenance.

    Available for grades 9-12

    A large yellow bulldozer sits on a dirt construction site under a dramatic cloudy sky.

  • Construction I is an overview of the construction trades, with integrated Geometry content. Students master measurement systems, safe use of hand and power tools, calculation and characteristics of materials, basic carpentry, framing, introduction to electrical wiring and plumbing, and site preparation. Students will learn scale modeling, sketching, and basic blueprinting. Students learn about construction careers. Coursework is research and project-based, developing teamwork and project management skills. The culminating project is a house design project: scale modeling, sketches, rough blueprints, materials lists and pricing, personnel needed, and in-class presentation. Students demonstrate responsibility for personal and occupational safety on the job site.

    Available for grades 9-12

    Two people in hats work on a roof, appearing to be constructing or repairing it.

  • This course covers stage design theory and principles and practices of set construction. Students employ skills in communication, research, creativity, critical thinking, technology, and project management to cooperatively design and build sets for the stage. Students demonstrate these skills by constructing sets suitable to the physical space, mood, time period, and client needs and desires. Instruction includes the use of project planning/business tools, technical instruction, and an introduction to the materials, tools, and set mobility methods frequently used in live staged events.

    Available for grades 9-12

    A wooden stage with red velvet curtains and a golden valance.

Teacher Bio

A man wearing a green polo shirt and a baseball cap with a yellow 'W' smiles at the camera.

Hello! My name is Kenneth Pedersen and I teach all the classes in the CTE Residential & Commercial Construction pathway.

I have been teaching for two years. My first year was at Sanhedrin High School, this is my first year at Willits High School. Previous to teaching my first career was in construction and building trades. I teach Construction, Plumbing, Electrical, and Advanced construction.

I attended California State University, East Bay. Some of my hobbies are Boy Scouts and hanging out with my family.

One fun fact about me is that I'm an Eagle Scout, I became an Eagle Scout in 1992.

CTE Residential & Commercial Construction Pathway Map