Construction Innovations Program

    • Course Description

      Students customize a year or semester of construction exploration to match their interests by choosing from a variety of quarter long courses which offer a solid foundation of basic knowledge and experience. Upon completion of the course, students can continue into an Advanced Construction course senior year.

    • Prerequisites at the Time of Junior Year Enrollment

      Minimum of 7 core credits (1.5 must be English), on track to graduate

    • Credits & Certifications Offered

      High School Credit
      • 3 CTE Year One

      Certifications
      • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – 10 hour Construction Industry Certification
      • CPR
       
      *College credit and certification are not guaranteed. Their attainment is dependent on student performance in both the course and on external industry assessments. All certifications are through external agencies and the accommodations permitted will vary from assessment to assessment. Additionally, students must participate in the full two years of the program to be potentially eligible for all certifications listed.

    • How Will My Time Be Spent? 

      Program Year Classroom Time Lab Time
      CTE Year One 25% or less 75% or more

    • Tech is Real World Learning

      Students in this program learn through the use of a variety of industry grade tools and equipment and texts. Their real world labs also require uniforms and personal protective equipment.

      Tools & Equipment

      The Construction Innovations program allows students to rotate through a variety of courses introducing them to all of our construction offerings. They will use a variety of powered and non-powered tools and equipment. For a complete list, please review the following programs:

      Academic Materials

      • The PACT CORE Instructinal Guide - a postsecondary text
      • The PACT CORE Student Workbook - a postsecondary text

      Uniform Requirements

      • Work pants with a belt (no shorts or athletic pants)
      • Cotton shirt
      • Hard-soled, leather work boots
      • A high visibility vest will be provided
      • Hardhats and safety glasses will be provided and must be worn in the lab at all times.

    • Essential Skills Needed for Success

      Students learn the entry level skills necessary to prepare for post-secondary education and the highly competitive world of work. Traditionally, successful students have mastered the processing and/or physical skills listed below prior to enrollment.

      Core Essential Skills

      • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry as well as their application

      • Demonstrate familiarity with tools

      • Have an awareness of personal safety in the shop, adhere to safety procedures and assume personal responsibility

      • Grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects and quickly move hands together with arm, or move two hands together

      • Make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects

      • Able to climb, lift and carry objects of 50 pounds or more, and handle taxing physical activity

      • Tolerate a construction environment which includes high places, small spaces, extreme temperatures, dirty spaces, loud noises, and a variety of construction-related smells

      • Able to see up close clearly

      • Able to stand and move for extended periods of time

      For a complete list of essential skills please review the Course Overview Guide.

    Program Information

    • Nick Beck Nick Beck
      Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
      314.989.7523
      Send an Email

      Mr. Nick Beck has been in the HVAC industry for 12 years, and began working at South Tech High School in 2015. Prior to joining the Tech team, Mr. Beck worked in residential and commercial construction.
       

      Paul HuemannPaul Heumann
      Construction Trades
      314.989.7550
      Send an Email

       

      Mr. Paul Heumann has been in the construction industry for 17 years and began teaching at South Tech High School in 1999. Prior to joining the Tech team, Mr. Heumann was a brick and stone mason and is the South Tech High authorized OSHA outreach trainer. Paul also has extensive knowledge of many aspects of construction.
       

      Barclay Hirth

      Barclay Hirth
      Electrical Trades
      314.989.7554
      Send an Email

      Mr. Barclay Hirth began teaching at South Tech High School in 2011 and is also a 2001 South Tech Electrical Trades graduate. Mr. Hirth obtained his electrical mechanics degree from Vatterott College and in 2009 received his Independent Electrical Contractors Apprenticeship certification.
       

      Dustin Meyer Dustin Meyer
      Floor Layers Middle Apprenticeship
      314.989.7441
      Send an Email

      Mr. Dustin Meyer has been in the construction Industry for 8 years and began teaching at South Tech High School in 2015. Mr. Meyer began teaching after graduating from the Floor Layers Apprenticeship program at Bayless High School in connection with South Tech.
       

      Paul Petrus

      Paul Petrus
      Construction Trades
      314.989.7434
      Send an Email

      Mr. Petrus has been in the construction industry for over 30 years. He started out working for small remodeling companies during high school and college. Eventually he joined the Carpenters union and advanced to the level of journeyman. In 2008, he took early retirement and began teaching at South Tech. As a member of South Tech, he enjoys coming to work and sharing his experiences with his students.
       

      Matt Westhoff

      Matt Westhoff
      Carpentry
      314.989.7487
      Send an Email

      Matt Westhoff joined the South Tech High School team in 2018. He started his career in carpentry in 2003. Matt graduated from Ranken Technical College in 2002 and joined the St. Louis Carpenters Union in 2005. In his spare time, Matt enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors.