CONSTRUCTION TRADES
Hands-on service skills like carpentry, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing.
GRADE: 11 & 12 | DUAL CREDIT OPTION
PROGRAMS
AGRICULTURE
Horticultural Science
ARCHITECTURE & CONSTRUCTION
CAD (Computer Aided Design) & Animation
Construction Trades
ARTS, AV TECHNOLOGY & COMMUNICATION
Graphic Design
Radio & Television
BUSINESS & MARKETING
Marketing & Sales
Strategic Marketing Internship/Field Experience
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Early Childhood Education
Education Professions
HEALTH SCIENCES
Dental Careers
Health Science Education I
Health Science Education II Sports Medicine and Athletic Training
HOSPITALITY & HUMAN SERVICES
Cosmetology Professional Services
Culinary Arts & Hospitality
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Computer Tech Support
MANUFACTURING
Electrical Maintenance Technology
Industrial Maintenance Technology
Precision Machining
Welding Technology
PUBLIC SAFETY
Criminal Justice I
Criminal Justice II
Emergency Medical Services
Fire & Rescue Services
TRANSPORTATION
Automotive Technology
Diesel Technology
VETERINARY
Veterinary Careers
Do you like to work with your hands? Do you like to work outdoors? Would you like to join a construction crew with your classmates and actually build a house or other hands on construction work? Then sign up for Construction Tech this program!! You will be given the opportunity to prepare for employment and learn the attitudes and behavior necessary to get a job in this field. If you’re interested in gaining pre-apprenticeship training in carpentry, electrical, heating, air conditioning, painting, drywalling, interior finishes, plumbing, and masonry trades, sign up today.
Our new program in Construction Trades: HVAC program will give you a chance to learn how to operate, install and repair home and commercial furnaces and air conditioning units. You will learn how to control the temperature and air quality in a home or other building. The class is based at Ivy Tech Community College in Valparaiso.
Students can receive Core 40 and Academic Honors Diploma Science credit
Students enrolled in this course are also eligible for dual credits through Ivy Tech Community College.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
- Purdue University
- Ivy Tech Community College
- Career Connections
- Vincennes University
- Apprenticeships with Trade Unions
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
- Carpenter
- Masonry Worker
- Electrician
- Plumber
- Sheet Metal Worker
- Painter
- General or Sub-Contractor
- Construction Estimator
- Superintendent
- Project Manager
- Insulator
- Entrepreneur
- And Many More…
INSTRUCTORS
KEVIN BONTRAGER
WILLOWCREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mr. Bontrager has been teaching for seven years and has his BS degree in Construction Management. He brings to the classroom 18 years of commercial project management experience as well as 12 years of residential construction. His class has been working on a subdivision development in Portage.
ROBERT WESLEY
THOMAS JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
Mr. Wesley lives in Wheeler, with his 3 year old beagle, REO. He’s a proud parent to one daughter, Samantha, 28, who is a middle school English teacher and cheerleading coach, and he has a 5 year old granddaughter.
He retired in March from the fire department, after 35 years of service. His last 12 years he served the Town of Burns Harbor and was the Deputy Fire Chief, when he retired.
He’s an NFPA Certified Instructor I, and has been teaching in the fire service for 20+ years. Has taught numerous classes to well over 2000+ students around the State of Indiana.
He works for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security as a District 1 Fire Academy Instructor at the MAAC.
He loves classic and muscle cars, and is constantly buying and selling antiques from his booth in Crown Point.
KEVIN ORTIZ
CHESTERTON HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Ortiz is in his 2nd year at Chesterton High School and has his AAS degree from Ivy Tech. He has 35 years of experience of working in the construction industry.
GEORGE DVOJACKI
IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE – HVAC
Mr. Dvorjacki has been teaching for nine years and he himself did his training with Ivy Tech. He has been in the trade for more than 30 years. For 10 of those years, he was a Field Service Manager of a large refrigeration company where he also served as a Lead Tech Support for the company. He now also owns his own HVAC company. In his spare time, he is a drummer and an electronics hobbyist. So he notes his idols would have to be Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla and John B. Goodenough. He has a constant thirst for knowledge in the HVAC industry.
CHARLIE WATSON
PORTER COUNTY CAREER CENTER
In 1999, Mr. Watson started my apprenticeship as a union carpenter. Working as a Carpenter, he found the trade offered a lot more than just building houses. Carpenters are involved in building everything from roads and solar farms, to the tallest skyscrapers and bridges. He has worked in the residential, industrial, and commercial sectors. He has helped to build and maintain many buildings in the Chicago skyline, built houses, done renovations, and worked at the BP refinery. Before becoming a teacher in February of 2021, he spent four years running his own professional woodworking and trim business.
