WNCC construction management program first to offer bachelor's

Construction professionals seeking better wages and job prospects, as well as those new to the industry, just got another avenue of opportunity with the creation of the first four-year degree program at Western Nevada Community College in Carson City.

Perhaps as early as fall 2007, WNCC will offer a bachelor of technology degree in construction management following a unanimous vote by the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents.

The program is expected to help fill an ever-present shortage of educated tradespeople and construction managers, says Rick DeMar, chief executive officer of the Builders Association of Western Nevada. DeMar says the degree also provides incentive to high school students to choose a career in the building industry.

"Students who take earned credits through our endowment program, if they determine they want to go on to construction management, engineering or architecture, the credits earned while enrolled in our program will go toward their degree," says Demar. "A percentage of young people have no idea what they are going to do with their U.S. history or English education. Some of these students need hands-on tangible education they can touch."

BAWN has established an endowment fund with WNCC in which the builders' organization pays college tuition for juniors and seniors to attend a construction trades development program. WNCC currently offers an associate of applied science degree in construction technology and project management.

The new 128-credit program in construction management is designed to attract and retain new students and skilled workers, and to provide an educational route toward a career as a construction manager.

Skilled workers will be able to enter the program at the level that fits with their prior experience and education.

Students can begin with dual-credit courses in local high schools, continue with an associate's degree in construction technology, and then move to the bachelor of technology degree, says Gene Martin, WNCC construction technology instructor.

The college will use existing facilities and equipment in the new program. Some classes are expected to meet in the evenings to accommodate students working while attending college.

"We currently have 46 students enrolled in construction technology and I project 15 of them will go for their bachelor's degrees," Martin says.