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BCT is based at PCC’s Rock Creek Campus. Many students completing the two-year associate degree option attend part time. Others have no degree goals in mind, but attend to fill industry knowledge and skill gaps. Photo courtesy of PCC.

Nailing Down a Career

PCC’s Building Construction Technology Program helping to meet workforce demand

By Melody Finnemore

Dionne Kelly graduated from Portland Community College’s Building Construction Technology (BCT) Program in June and already is seeing the rewards as she builds a customer base for her business, which is focused on remodeling homes and making spaces safer and more functional.

“I have one multi-bathroom remodel project I am currently working on and another larger remodel project that’s in the works,” said Kelly, who received PCC’s 22-23 Golf Challenge Building Construction Scholarship. “I also do handywoman work for those who would be more comfortable with a woman coming into their home. There’s a need for that in our society and I’m hoping that I can contribute to filling in that gap.”

PCC has the only program of its kind in the Portland area that offers degrees in building construction, design/build remodeling and construction management. Students can earn an associate’s degree or take key classes to help fill knowledge or skills gaps.

Additionally, BCT offers a one-year certificate that focuses on teaching students the foundations of carpentry. The certificate embeds into the program’s hands-on degree in the event a student wants to continue with their education to develop more fine carpentry skills.

“Most of our hands-on students are new to construction, but some participated in local high school construction programs,” said instructor Shannon Baird, who previously worked in architecture and construction management. “Some students start with a single class to increase their skill set, but most want to earn a degree. A few earn all three.”

Many students completing the two-year associate degree options attend part time, and take a bit longer to complete. Others have no degree goal in mind, but instead wish to fill industry knowledge and skill gaps. The program also can accommodate students who work or may have families. Students can start any term after attending one of the program’s regularly scheduled BCT info sessions.

Based at PCC’s Rock Creek Campus, BCT faculty teach students everything they need to know to build a house. The Design/Build Remodeling Program is geared for those who want to renovate or flip houses, learn basic repairs and obtain a CCB (Construction Contractors Board) license. The construction management degree is offered in the evenings to further students’ careers in project management on both commercial and residential projects.

Kelly, who was approved as a volunteer with the nonprofit Catalyst Partnerships Northwest to provide home repairs and remodeling services for elderly, disabled and under-resourced homeowners, became a licensed residential contractor and completed a design/build remodeling degree. Even though she has graduated, she continues to stay in contact with students and teachers.

“The teachers have a wealth of knowledge and they truly love to teach. They want students to be successful and they go above and beyond to help each individual student grasp the concepts. There is a level of care for the students in this program that’s rare to find and it has made a huge impact in my life,” Kelly said. “If I have questions on a project, I know I can get assistance from the connections I’ve made in the program.”

Luke Price of Ridgefield, Washington, entered the BCT Program right out of high school and also graduated in June. Since earning his construction management degree, he has been working as an estimator for a civil construction company.

“My goal moving forward is to continue developing knowledge, and work my way up in the industry. I would like for my growth to come in a project management and/or estimating position,” he said.

Price noted that while the construction industry is extremely broad, the BCT program helped him pursue different options.

“Two years ago, I wouldn’t have had the knowledge, experience or qualifications required to work in a management position. Now, I feel that I have been equipped with a basic understanding of the industry that has allowed me to not only land a job I wouldn’t have been qualified for, but it has also allowed me to succeed in that position,” he said.

Tara Nelson, dean of PCC’s Building and Environmental Technology and Trades, described the BCT Program as “very diverse” and said the college often hears from industry partners that they need more BCT graduates.

“We recently asked a few of those grads about their earning potential and some of them, with just a few years of experience, are making $80,000 to $90,000,” Nelson said.

Melody Finnemore is a Portland-area freelance writer.