WMCI’s high school program is a state-approved career and technical education (CTE) program allowing students to receive high school credit while attending.
Students attend WMCI courses during their regular school day. For students wishing to continue their trade certification, WMCI courses function like dual enrollment, allowing them to continue their training at WMCI after high school graduation.
Courses last a full year and are open to juniors and seniors. They are all held onsite at the Institute.
Note: Students must enroll in the program through their school counselor & Kent Career Technical Center.
Hear the story of how High School program graduate Keunte Swarn used the skills he developed at WMCI to launch his career!
Figuring out what to do after graduating high school can be a difficult and often stressful process. WMCI offers a unique opportunity to explore the skilled trades BEFORE graduation so students can gain confidence on their decision all while developing lifelong construction and employability skills.
6 Reasons why High School Students Enroll at WMCI:
WMCI students don't just talk about tools, they use them everyday in one of the interactive construction labs.
Each high school course is taught by a top West Michigan construction professional with years of experience in their trade or by state certified experts in their field.
Qualified second-year students may work paid internships in the construction industry.
Students graduate with several nationally recognized certifications including: NCCER Core, OSHA 10, First Aid/CPR & NCCER Carpentry or Electrical credentials.
Students will have hands on field trip experiences on active, commercial, construction job sites.
Students may interview with industry employers ready to hire qualified professionals, if desired.
The WMCI curriculum is designed as a rigorous, competency-based, industry recognized program for career and technical education. Completing this program gives the student the basic skills needed to jump into the commercial construction industry.
We currently offer two options. While students will learn the basics in both, they can choose between a focus in two high-demand skilled trades: Carpentry and Electrical.
CORE + Carpentry is a competency-based, hands-on curriculum nationally recognized through NCCER certification. While the program focuses on the carpentry trade, graduates will gain the skills they need to continue education in any craft area they choose.
Course Details
Transportation: Arranged through school district or provided by student.
Credit: High school credit and industry certifications earned.
Enrollment: Students must enroll via their school counselor through the KCTC portal starting in February.
Course Curriculum
Modules:
CORE + Electrical is a competency-based, hands-on curriculum nationally recognized through NCCER certification. WMCI offers the only high school electrical program in Kent County and is a first step toward electrical apprenticeship programs..
Course Details
Transportation: Arranged through school district or provided by student.
Credit: High school credit and industry certifications earned.
Enrollment: Students must enroll via their school counselor through the KCTC portal starting in February.
Course Curriculum
Modules:
Prospective students are encouraged to attend a tour of WMCI to identify a program of interest. Students should contact their school counselor to schedule a tour or via our Schedule a Tour page.
During your visit at WMCI, you'll be able to learn about each of the available skilled trades offerings and sit down with a dedicated student services representative to identify which construction career path works best for you.
High School
Once a program of choice is identified, the student should contact their sending school counselor to submit an enrollment request in the OE online portal.
Note: Enrollment requests are not a guarantee of placement.
For Homeschool Students:
After selecting a program, a student's parent/guardian should contact the registrar to submit an enrollment request. You can do this via phone by calling 616-364-8421.
Select 'Option #2' and then 'Option #4.'
To qualify students must:
All Kent County schools are eligible to enroll students in WMCI. Enrollment is managed through the Kent ISD not through WMCI. WMCI also has a cooperative agreement with Jenison High School and Hudsonville High School in Ottawa County.
11th and 12th grade students may attend WMCI high school programs.
Students may attend WMCI carpentry and electrical programs for one or two years. Students who join either program as 11th grade students and earn their general carpentry or electrical 1 credential may enroll as 12th grade students and participate in our work-based learning program. This program matches students with employers in their trade allowing them to work during their school session (12pm-2:15pm).
Learn more about earning high school credits by visiting the Tech Center website here: https://www.thetechcenter.org/enrollment/highschoolcollegecredit/
Making a career move is a big decision - one you'll want to make sure you have the information you need to feel confident in taking the next step.
Don't hesitate to reach out to us for more information on the WMCI course catalog, scheduling a facility tour, and meeting our instructors.
A great place to jumpstart your successful career is Exterior Envelope. This course teaches students the fundamentals of commercial construction.
Graduated high school and trying to decide what you should do next? Or maybe you’ve been in the workforce for a couple years but are looking for something better?
The best way to answer those questions and more is by taking a tour of the West Michigan Construction Institute.
You’ll have a one-on-one guide to show you the classrooms and hands-on learning labs, the in-session courses (depending on schedule), and meet other WMCI staff, students and instructors!