The Ferrum College Technical Studies program was created through community partnership in response to an ongoing need for career pathways in technical trades in the region. Our mission is to provide education and practical credentialing that helps develop leaders in trades including carpentry, electrical, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), industrial maintenance, marine trades, plumbing, welding, and construction management.
A plumbing, HVAC, electrical contractor, or construction contractor who owns/operates their own company. Typically doing primarily residential work, rather than commercial. Building or renovating smaller structures like houses and apartments, with a focus on aesthetics and livability for individual occupants
List of required courses needed to take and pass in order to receive certificate.
Introduction to budgeting, managerial accounting, financial accounting, tax accounting, and government/nonprofit accounting. 3 Credit(s).
This course is designed to help trainees become familiar with the basic principles of business, marketing, legal, operations, codes, and ethics of owning and running a contracting business. Students will have the opportunity to earn an NCCER certificate in this course. (Partnership with Build Smart Institute) 3 hours, 3 credits.
This course is designed to help trainees become familiar with the bid/estimating process, from initial bid meeting until bid day. This will be accomplished by introducing the process one section at a time. Individual problems will be used at each stage to practice the new topic, along with a continuing project which runs the entire course completed per stage as each new topic is mastered. Finally, there will be a timed final project to immerse trainees into a simulated bid day experience. Students will have the opportunity to earn an NCCER certificate in this course. (Partnership with Build Smart Institute) 2 hours, 2 credits.
This course is designed to assist the trainee as to how to prepare for the Virginia Contractors Licensing Exam. (Partnership with Build Smart Institute) 2 hours, 2 credits.
This course is designed to introduce the skills or enhance the skills of a project manager. It is beneficial for anyone that has recently entered or about to enter into a project management role and includes performance tasks to assist the learning process. Students will have the opportunity to earn an NCCER certificate in this course. (Partnership with Build Smart Institute) 9 hours, 9 credits.
