Beginning with a firm foundation in drafting with instruments, and followed with an introduction to computed aided drafting (CAD), students learn to conceptualize the building process. Using the latest construction methods, and under close supervision, they construct a residence inside the MTI building lab where the weather is always nice. 

In the second year of the program, students working in construction units build a student-designed house in the Mitchell community.  Students learn about concrete work as they construct the foundation, rough-finish a basement, and finish a three-bedroom home. 

Additionally, students will be exposed to many techniques and skills required in the area of commercial construction: steel, welding, commercial construction equipment operation, and more.  Valuable experience will be gained during a commercial construction internship during the final semester of the program.

What makes this program special?

• Our instructors are Certified Green Professionals and Home Energy Raters
• We are a 100% ENERGY STAR BUILDER
• All our houses are built and rated by the Residential Energy Services Network & Home Energy Rating Standards of Practice (RESNET HERs).
• We focus on energy efficient building practices
• Our students are involved with the NAHB (student chapter)
• Bottom line - we are teaching students how to build the homes of the future!

Graduates from this program find employment with lumberyards, building contractors, architectural firms, and commercial construction companies.  Their skills in CAD, carpentry, surveying, estimating, cabinetry, commercial construction and green building technologies make the students who graduate from this program valuable employees in the building trades industry. 

A special note about laptop computers:

This program requires a laptop computer so that you can effectively integrate computing skills with your technical education. Many resources that instructors assign are online or require specialty software. To address these needs, MTI requires that students entering this program purchase their laptops from MTI. The cost for an MTI laptop averages about $1000. Please be aware that our machines come fully loaded with the software required for this program. 

Whether it's Microsoft Office, or a specialty software for a technical program, your needs will be met by your MTI laptop.  And our laptops are serviced for free by our Technology office. You will not be able to bring a laptop from home into an MTI laptop program as we cannot provide support services for every make and model of laptop. Please consider this carefully before making any laptop purchase and check with the Admissions office for more details.

Feel free to check out our progress. Click on one of the links below to view a photo gallery