Construction And Building Systems
Plan, build, and operate construction projects— develop the skills to manage teams, control costs, and run a construction firm.
Program Overview
The Construction & Building Systems program at JETS is designed to develop grounded, capable individuals prepared for real work, real responsibility, and real decision-making in the built environment.
This program integrates building systems knowledge, project coordination, cost estimating, and hands-on construction experience with real-world applications. Students don’t just learn how buildings are assembled in theory—they learn how projects are planned, sequenced, budgeted, and executed, and how decisions on the jobsite impact safety, quality, and cost.
The program is intentionally structured for students coming from a Judaic learning environment, aligning professional studies with the rhythm, values, and expectations of a yeshiva-based schedule.
Courses
In the second year of the Construction & Building Systems program, students move from foundational literacy to applied building systems, project coordination, and ownership thinking. Building on the shared Foundations of Personal & Professional Formation year, Year Two focuses on how construction projects are planned, sequenced, budgeted, and executed in the real world.
Coursework is integrated, applied, and intentionally sequenced to reflect how construction decisions are made in practice—combining classroom instruction, supervised hands-on labs, and mentored project work.
Year Two Focuses On:
- Construction Systems & Building Science (with Lab)
Understanding how buildings function as integrated systems, reinforced through hands-on construction labs.
- Project Management & Jobsite Coordination
Planning, sequencing, safety, communication, and accountability across trades and stakeholders.
- Cost Estimating, Budgeting & Construction Finance
Pricing work accurately, managing cash flow, and understanding where profit is made—or lost.
- Business Toolkit for Builders
Contracts, risk, liability, and ownership mindset for future general contractors and builders.
- Capstone Practicum & Mentorship
A mentored, project-based experience integrating planning, budgeting, and execution.
Construction Systems & Building Science (with Lab)
Course Description
This course introduces students to how buildings are designed and constructed as integrated systems. Students study structural systems, framing, building envelopes, and the interaction between major trades, including electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.
Classroom instruction is paired with supervised hands-on labs, where students use tools, build mock assemblies, and translate plans into physical structures. The emphasis is on sequencing, safety, and understanding how decisions on paper affect outcomes in the field.
Learning Objectives & Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Explain how major building systems interact
- Read and interpret basic construction drawings
- Understand sequencing dependencies between trades
- Safely use tools and equipment in supervised lab settings
- Translate plans and measurements into physical assemblies
- Identify common construction errors and their consequences
Project Management & Jobsite Coordination
Course Description
This course focuses on the organizational and leadership aspects of construction projects. Students learn how jobsites are planned, coordinated, and managed, with attention to scheduling, communication, safety, and accountability.
Rather than training for a single trade, the course prepares students to think like project managers and site leads—responsible for people, timelines, and outcomes.
Learning Objectives & Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Understand construction project sequencing and scheduling
- Coordinate tasks across multiple trades and stakeholders
- Apply jobsite safety principles and best practices
- Communicate clearly in construction environments
- Identify and resolve common jobsite challenges
- Demonstrate responsibility and leadership in project settings
Cost Estimating, Budgeting & Construction Finance
Course Description
This course teaches students how construction projects are priced, budgeted, and financially managed. Students learn how labor, materials, overhead, and risk factor into estimates and how cash flow affects project viability.
The emphasis is on understanding how financial decisions impact profitability and sustainability, reinforcing the connection between technical work and business outcomes.
Learning Objectives & Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Perform basic quantity takeoffs and cost estimates
- Understand labor and material pricing structures
- Explain overhead, margin, and profitability in construction
- Track project costs and cash flow
- Evaluate financial risks and tradeoffs
- Understand how estimating accuracy affects project success
- 4. Business Toolkit for Builders
Course DescriptionThis course integrates essential business concepts into the construction context. Students learn how contracts, insurance, liability, and client relationships shape construction businesses, and how ownership differs from employment.The course reinforces an ownership mindset—preparing students to operate responsibly, ethically, and sustainably as builders or contractors.Learning Objectives & OutcomesStudents will be able to:- Understand common construction contracts and agreements
- Explain basic liability, insurance, and risk management concepts
- Apply ownership thinking to construction decision-making
- Navigate client relationships and expectations
- Understand the responsibilities of running a construction business
- Evaluate when and how to transition from worker to owner
Business Toolkit for Builders
Course Description
This course integrates essential business concepts into the construction context. Students learn how contracts, insurance, liability, and client relationships shape construction businesses, and how ownership differs from employment.
The course reinforces an ownership mindset—preparing students to operate responsibly, ethically, and sustainably as builders or contractors.
Learning Objectives & Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Understand common construction contracts and agreements
- Explain basic liability, insurance, and risk management concepts
- Apply ownership thinking to construction decision-making
- Navigate client relationships and expectations
- Understand the responsibilities of running a construction business
- Evaluate when and how to transition from worker to owner
Capstone Practicum & Mentorship
Course Description
The Capstone Practicum is a mentored, project-based experience that runs alongside Year Two coursework. Each student meets regularly with a faculty member or mentor to plan, analyze, and develop a comprehensive construction-related project.
Projects may include a full project plan with drawings, schedule, budget, and risk analysis, or a detailed evaluation of a real or simulated construction project.
Learning Objectives & Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Integrate technical, financial, and organizational learning
- Develop a complete construction project plan
- Demonstrate professional judgment and accountability
- Communicate plans and decisions clearly
- Reflect on readiness for work, apprenticeship, or continued study
Outcomes & Pathways
Graduates of the Construction & Building Systems program demonstrate:Students leave with:
- Practical construction and building systems literacy
- Experience translating plans and estimates into real-world execution
- A clearer sense of direction, responsibility, and professional identity
This program emphasizes capability, accountability, and applied understanding—not just technical knowledge.
- Practical understanding of building systems, sequencing, and jobsite coordination
- Experience with tools and supervised hands-on construction work
- Ability to plan, budget, and evaluate construction projects
- Ownership mindset, professional responsibility, and sound judgment
- Readiness for construction management roles, apprenticeships, or entrepreneurial pathways
Outcomes & Pathways
Graduates of the Construction & Building Systems program demonstrate:
- Practical understanding of building systems, sequencing, and jobsite coordination
- Experience with tools and supervised hands-on construction work
- Ability to plan, budget, and evaluate construction projects
- Ownership mindset, professional responsibility, and sound judgment
- Readiness for construction management roles, apprenticeships, or entrepreneurial pathways
Students leave with:
- Practical construction and building systems literacy
- Experience translating plans and estimates into real-world execution
- A clearer sense of direction, responsibility, and professional identity
This program emphasizes capability, accountability, and applied understanding—not just technical knowledge.
Faculty & Mentors
Courses are taught by instructors with real-world construction and building experience, supported by mentors who guide students through applied projects, planning, and execution.
Faculty engagement emphasizes:
- Practical application and hands-on learning
- Individual feedback and supervision
- Accountability, safety, and professional growth
Students benefit from ongoing mentorship throughout the program, not just classroom instruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a degree program?
No. This program is focused on applied construction knowledge, systems understanding, and real-world readiness. JETS plans to pursue degree-granting accreditation in the future.
Do I need prior construction experience?
No. The program is designed to build skills from the ground up and does not require prior trade or jobsite experience.
Does this program include hands-on work?
Yes. Students participate in supervised hands-on construction labs and applied projects designed to reinforce building systems, sequencing, and safety.
How is learning assessed?
Assessment is based on applied work, projects, supervised lab performance, and demonstrated understanding—not multiple-choice testing.
Can this program lead to further study or apprenticeships?
Yes. The Construction & Building Systems program provides a strong foundation for apprenticeships, construction management pathways, entrepreneurial pursuits, or continued education.
Is this program compatible with Judaic studies?
Yes. The schedule and structure are intentionally designed to integrate with daily Judaic learning.