Building/Construction, Commercial, Electrical, Fabrication & Industrial Trades
Civil Engineering and Drafting Technologies Careers
Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Technology
When the temperature outside is blazing hot or plummeting below zero, the comfort of interior spaces becomes a necessity. The Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Technology program at MCC will prepare you for a career where your skills are always in demand – or perhaps prepare you to own your own business. This hands-on program covers all aspects of installing, troubleshooting and servicing heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems as well as refrigeration, food, ice, and beverage systems.
Complete course information is available on the catalog page.
Faculty
Bob Ruther (402) 289-1380, rruther@mccneb.edu
James Revoy (402) 289-1378, jrevoy@mccneb.edu
Career Facts
- In Nebraska, the median wage for heating and cooling system mechanics is $33,218 per year.*
- Refrigeration certification may be obtained through Metropolitan Community College’s Refrigeration Certification class. This class has no prerequisite courses. Upon completion of the course, students must pass a national test for certification.
- A contractor’s license is available through the City of Omaha, and can be pursued after obtaining five years experience in the heating and air conditioning field.
- Apprenticeship programs usually consist of 3-5 years of on-the-job training.*
- Apprentices usually begin at about half of the wage rate paid to experienced mechanics.*
- The Heating and Air Conditioning Contracting Association (HACCA) provides students with employment leads, and the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) seeks out trained students ready to work.
- A bachelor’s degree is not required to start in this field.
- Over 90 percent of graduates are placed quickly in jobs because of the high demand for these workers.
*Nebraska Department of Labor statistic.
Career opportunities for students in this field include:
- Business owners
- Wholesalers
- Repair persons
- Residential sales
- Job estimates
Is A/C, Refrigeration, & Heating Technology for You?
Do you have
- Mechanical ability?
- The ability to read and follow directions?
- Basic math skills?
- Good hand-eye coordination?
- The ability to lift at least 50 pounds?
- The ability to plan ahead and conceptualize?
- The ability to recognize and solve problems?
Extra Costs, Tools and Equipment
Each student is required to buy their own tools at $1,025 for the entire program.
Short-term learning options
Specialist Diplomas in:
Architectural Design Technology
Virtually any structure built today results from a computer-aided design (CAD) drawing. Combine your drawing skills with powerful CAD software tools to start a career as a professional design technician. You will build a strong foundation with classical drafting techniques, the art and language of architecture, the design process, how methods and materials shape buildings, the relationship between structural types, space usage and how architecture reflects the culture. Building upon these fundamentals, you will learn today’s CAD principles and techniques and apply them in a lab environment on practical lab projects, thus preparing you for employment as a technician in the offices of architects, engineers, contractors and materials suppliers.
Complete course information is available on the catalog page
Faculty
John Knapp (402) 289-1372, jknapp@mccneb.edu
Career Facts
- In Nebraska, the median wage for drafters is $32,711 per year.*
- Students in this field may build an opportunity for employment as a technician in the offices of architects, engineers, contractors and materials suppliers.
- Certification is optional for technicians. However, certification indicates that a worker has attained a certain level of skill.*
- Architectural technicians draw architectural and structural features of buildings and other structures. They may specialize by the type of structure, such as residential or commercial, or by material used, such as reinforced concrete, masonry, steel or timber.*
- In Metro’s Architectural Design Technology program, students learn how to work for architects, how to integrate building systems and how buildings are constructed
*Statistics taken from the Nebraska Department of Labor (NCIS).
Is Architectural Design Technology for you?
Are you
- A self-starter?
- Flexible?
- Good at using a computer?
- Able to concentrate for extended periods of time?
- A team player?
- Persistent?
- Naturally curious?
- Desiring to work with building processes?
- Interested in using math and CAD skills to pursue a career?
Extra Costs, Tools and Equipment
None
Short-term learning options
Civil Engineering Technology
Civil engineering is the field of adapting our environment so that we can live in it. Without civil engineering, there would be no clean water, sewage disposal, transport system, heat, light or power. We would be at the mercy of the elements and natural forces that have shaped our planet for millions of years. Metro’s Civil Engineering Technology program will prepare you to contribute to this important field as an engineering technician in areas such as construction, transportation, surveying or testing laboratories. The program provides a strong foundation in current basic civil engineering techniques, with emphasis placed on computers and software, and prepares you for occupational entry and advancement as a civil engineering technician.
Faculty
Career Facts
- In Nebraska, the median wage for civil engineer technicians is $37,440 per year.* Earnings vary greatly based on the level of education. Those with advanced degrees usually earn higher wages.*
- A typical starting wage for entry-level civil engineering technicians is between $9 and $15 per hour. Wage varies based on place of employment and the employee’s expertise.
- Civil engineer technicians work with the project engineers on the planning, design and supervision of construction for such things as buildings, roads, airstrips, bridges and dams. They may draw or make models and discuss plans with clients.*
*Statistics taken from the Nebraska Department of Labor (NCIS).
Career opportunities for students in this major include:
- Road building
- Stream and erosion control
- Soil and material testing
- Cost estimating
- Sales
- Structural analysis/design
- Construction site supervising
- City engineer
- Teaching, research or design
Is Civil Engineering for You?
Do you
- Want to work in a competitive field?
- Have exceptional math and science skills?
- Have the ability to plan ahead and conceptualize?
- Have critical thinking skills?
- Have the ability to lift 50 pounds?
- Have initiative?
Extra Costs, Tools and Equipment
Students may have a minimal expense of about $30 each quarter for supplies.
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Short-term learning options
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Construction Technology
Interested in building a great career? If you are not the type to be deskbound, and would rather contribute to your community by building houses, roads and businesses, turn your enjoyment of working with your hands into a degree and a career in Construction Technology. This hands-on program prepares you for opportunities in Concrete/Masonry Construction, Residential Carpentry, Construction Management, General Construction/ Remodeling, Residential Finish Carpentry/ Cabinetry and more. Once you have experience, you can work toward attaining leadership positions like foreman or contractor, or start your own contracting business.
See the catalog page for all program requirements.
Faculty
Roger Mi |
