Program Spotlight: Construction Management

Building Safety Month • May 2020

The Construction Management program at Dakota County Technical College prepares you for supervisory and management positions in the construction industry. Delivered entirely online, the curriculum combines basic fundamentals with key courses in applied management, engineering, design and business that are required to manage complex construction projects.

Construction management is an ideal career choice if you have a strong, general interest in building and design plus an aptitude for taking the lead role on big projects from start to finish. As a construction manager, you’ll oversee all phases of a project, from planning to budgeting to production.

The program offers two associate degrees: Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) and Associate of Science (A.S.). The A.S. degree is designed to transfer to the following four-year schools:

• University of Minnesota: B.A.S. in Construction Management
• Minnesota State University Moorhead: B.S. in Construction Management (Twin Cities)
• Bemidji State University: B.S. in Construction Management

Anne Painter serves as the director of the Construction Management program. Also an instructor in the program, Anne holds a Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. She reported that one of the program’s strongest features is that all courses are delivered online.

“Most of our students are already working in the construction industry,” she said. “They want to move up at their workplace, make more money and take on a managerial role that requires less strenuous physical labor, but they need to keep the job they have while going to college. They have the knowledge, but they need the degree. Online coursework is the best way to make that happen.”

Construction management is a very high-wage career, paying well above the statewide median of $20.95/hour. In Minnesota, the median wage for construction managers is $44.57/hour.

— Minnesota State CAREERwise Education

Anne Painter

Anne noted that DCTC has a transfer agreement with Minnesota State University Moorhead, which offers an online B.S. in Construction Management, meaning students can take full advantage of the flexibility and convenience of earning a bachelor’s degree via the Internet.

“Our students also take advantage of Credit for Prior Learning, or CPL,” Anne said. “They can turn their know-how and experience into college credits. For example, if they’re proficient with AutoCAD, they can get credit for that skill.”

Anne explained that fall semester 2020 marks the third year of Construction Management at DCTC. The program got its start at Inver Hills Community College.

“Scott Holm taught Construction Management courses at Inver Hills,” Anne said. “He is faculty in the DCTC program and his expertise is essential. Scott works in the industry and has many professional contacts. He also serves on our advisory board.”

More about Scott Holm…

Scott Holm

Born and raised in Cokato, Minnesota, Scott Holm, MEd, CBO, has more than 38 years of experience in the construction industry, including 30 years as a building inspector and currently as a building science consultant. Scott augmented the practical understanding he achieved working as a carpenter and concrete worker by earning three industry-related degrees and a certificate.

He has an M.Ed. in business and industry education and a B.A.S. in Construction Management from the University of Minnesota as well as an A.A.S. in Building Inspection Technology from North Hennepin Community College and a two-year certificate in Carpentry from St. Cloud Technical & Community College.

40th Annual Building Safety Month¹

May 2020: Safer Buildings; Safer Communities, Safer World

Building Safety Month is an international campaign celebrated in May to raise awareness about building safety.

This campaign reinforces the need for the adoption of modern, regularly-updated building codes, and helps individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures.

The International Code Council, its 64,000 members, and a diverse partnership of professionals from the building construction, design and safety communities come together with corporations, government agencies, professional associations and nonprofits to promote building safety through proclamations, informational events, legislative briefings and more. We come together to support Building Safety Month because we understand the need for safe and sustainable structures where we live, work and play.

All communities need building codes to protect their citizens from disasters like fires, weather-related events and structural collapse. Building codes are society’s best way of protecting homes, offices, schools, manufacturing facilities, stores and entertainment venues. Code officials work day in and day out to keep the public safe.

Work environment for construction managers

Working in this field is likely to include both office and construction site work. Construction managers are in charge of building and maintaining structures, facilities and systems. Working with subordinate supervisory personnel, they take part in concept development before directing and coordinating project activities. Construction managers supervise countless details on a project, including:

• Obtaining work permits
• Hiring contractors
• Troubleshooting emergencies
• Organizing and scheduling
• Keep clients informed on work timetables and progress

Construction Managers

Coordinate all the work that is involved in building or maintaining structures.

WAGE

This is a very high-wage career. It pays well above the statewide median of $20.95/hour

Minnesota

Median: $44.57/hour
High: $54.28/hour

Seven-county Twin Cities metro

Median: $45.27/hour
High: $55.29/hour

OUTLOOK

In Minnesota, there are 5,340 workers employed in this medium-sized career. This career is currently in high demand and is seeing high growth compared to other careers. Growth rate is 8.1 percent, or above the statewide average.

There will be a need for about 5,247 new Construction Managers to meet market demand between 2016–2026. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.

WORKPLACE OPTIONS

• Construction of Buildings
• Specialty Trade Contractors
• Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

— Minnesota State CAREERwise Education

Learn more about Construction Management at Dakota County Technical College by contacting: