Scottsdale Unified School District is rolling out a new Construction Management Career and Technical Education pathway at Saguaro High School, aiming to build a direct pipeline from the classroom to the job site.
The program is built for grades 9-12 and is designed as a dual track that pairs hands-on trade fundamentals with project management skills. District leaders say students start with lab and job-site safety, then move from basic carpentry and masonry into more advanced scope, including floor framing, wall framing, and roofing.
Along the way, students practice the kind of workflows contractors expect in the field, including material and labor cost calculations, waste estimating, schedule planning, and quality control. The district says those tasks are embedded into each build, from smaller models to larger structures as the program grows.
Industry partners tied to the pathway include the Chasse Building Team, DeWalt, NCCER, Move Over Bob, the AZ Masonry Council, and the Center for the Future of Arizona. The district says partnerships help students get site exposure, mentorship, and access to career events. For contractors looking for reliable entry-level hires, that early exposure can matter, especially when students can speak to safety expectations and show they understand takeoffs, sequencing, and quality checks.
The three-year program progresses through Construction Management Technology I and II and finishes with a senior internship. Students are also eligible to earn certifications including OSHA 10, NCCER Core, and NCCER Construction Technologies.
Families who want to learn more can attend the SUSD College and Career Fair on Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Scottsdale Civic Center Library, where more than 100 colleges, trade schools, and employers are expected to participate.
Read the full, original article from City Sun Times here.