Carpentry
Builds and repairs structures made of wood and other materials, from framing to finish carpentry.
Skills neededPrecision measurement, blueprint reading, tool proficiency, physical stamina
Education optionsHigh school diploma, then apprenticeship or technical college program
Apprenticeships4-year registered carpentry apprenticeships through unions or local contractors
CertificationsNCCER Carpentry Certification
Typical work environmentActive jobsites, mostly outdoors or in unfinished structures, physically demanding
How Spartan prepares studentsFraming and finish work on the Spartan build is direct hands-on carpentry practice.
Electrical
Installs and maintains the electrical systems that power homes, schools, and commercial buildings.
Skills neededAttention to detail, math, safety awareness, problem-solving
Education optionsRegistered apprenticeship (4–5 years) or technical college pre-apprenticeship
ApprenticeshipsIBEW/NECA or independent electrical apprenticeships
CertificationsJourneyman Electrician License (State of Utah)
Typical work environmentJobsites and finished buildings, indoor and outdoor work, some overhead and confined-space work
How Spartan prepares studentsStudents complete electrical rough-in work on the build under licensed supervision.
Plumbing
Installs and repairs the pipes, fixtures, and systems that carry water, gas, and waste.
Skills neededSpatial reasoning, mechanical aptitude, problem-solving, physical work
Education optionsRegistered apprenticeship or technical college pre-apprenticeship
ApprenticeshipsUA Plumbers & Pipefitters apprenticeship, 4–5 years
CertificationsJourneyman Plumber License (State of Utah)
Typical work environmentJobsites and existing buildings, tight spaces, physically demanding
How Spartan prepares studentsPlumbing rough-in on the build gives students real system-installation experience.
HVAC
Installs and services the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems that keep buildings comfortable.
Skills neededTechnical troubleshooting, mechanical skill, customer communication
Education optionsTechnical college certificate or registered apprenticeship
ApprenticeshipsEmployer-sponsored HVAC apprenticeships, 3–4 years
CertificationsEPA 608 Certification; NATE Certification
Typical work environmentIndoor and outdoor mechanical systems, attics, crawlspaces, rooftops
How Spartan prepares studentsStudents are introduced to HVAC fundamentals during the mechanical systems unit.
Finishes
Handles the final layer of a build — trim, cabinetry, flooring, paint, and the detail work that makes a house feel complete.
Skills neededPrecision, patience, an eye for detail, care with finished materials
Education optionsOn-the-job training or technical college finish carpentry program
ApprenticeshipsOften part of a broader carpentry apprenticeship
CertificationsNCCER Carpentry Certification (finish carpentry module)
Typical work environmentIndoor, later-phase jobsites, careful and detail-oriented pace
How Spartan prepares studentsFinish work is the final phase students complete on the build, tying every earlier skill together.
Heavy Equipment
Operates the excavators, loaders, and graders that move earth and materials on a jobsite.
Skills neededSpatial awareness, mechanical understanding, focus, physical coordination
Education optionsEmployer training or operating engineer apprenticeship
ApprenticeshipsOperating Engineers Local 3 apprenticeship
CertificationsOSHA-10; equipment-specific manufacturer certifications
Typical work environmentOutdoor jobsites, all weather conditions, working around active construction
How Spartan prepares studentsStudents learn site preparation fundamentals that precede equipment operation.
Concrete
Places, finishes, and cures the concrete that forms foundations, slabs, and structural elements.
Skills neededTiming and precision, physical stamina, teamwork, attention to detail
Education optionsOn-the-job training or technical college program
ApprenticeshipsCement Masons apprenticeship, 2–3 years
CertificationsACI Concrete Field Testing Technician Certification
Typical work environmentOutdoor jobsites, early mornings, physically demanding, weather-dependent
How Spartan prepares studentsFoundation work on the build gives students direct experience with concrete placement and finishing.
Framing
Builds the structural skeleton of a building — walls, floors, and roof systems — before it's enclosed.
Skills neededBlueprint reading, precision measurement, teamwork, physical stamina
Education optionsHigh school diploma, then apprenticeship or on-the-job training
ApprenticeshipsOften part of a broader carpentry apprenticeship
CertificationsNCCER Carpentry Certification
Typical work environmentOutdoor jobsites, early phase of construction, physically demanding
How Spartan prepares studentsFraming is one of the first and most hands-on phases students complete on the build.
Architecture
Designs buildings, balancing function, safety, and aesthetics from concept through construction drawings.
Skills neededDesign thinking, drafting, math, communication, spatial visualization
Education optionsBachelor's or Master's degree in architecture, plus licensure
ApprenticeshipsArchitectural internship (AXP) required for licensure
CertificationsLicensed Architect (NCARB)
Typical work environmentDesign studios and offices, with periodic jobsite visits
How Spartan prepares studentsBlueprint reading in the program builds the foundation for understanding architectural drawings.
Construction Management
Oversees a construction project's schedule, budget, subcontractors, and quality from start to finish.
Skills neededLeadership, organization, communication, problem-solving under pressure
Education optionsBachelor's degree in construction management, or extensive field experience
ApprenticeshipsNot typically apprenticeship-based; field experience substitutes
CertificationsCCM (Certified Construction Manager)
Typical work environmentJobsite trailers and active sites, plus office planning work
How Spartan prepares studentsCrew-lead roles on the Spartan build are a direct, small-scale introduction to this role.
Civil Engineering
Designs and oversees infrastructure projects — roads, water systems, foundations, and site work.
Skills neededMath, physics, analytical thinking, attention to detail
Education optionsBachelor's degree in civil engineering, plus licensure (PE)
ApprenticeshipsEngineering internships common during college
CertificationsProfessional Engineer (PE) License
Typical work environmentOffices for design work, jobsites for oversight and inspection
How Spartan prepares studentsFoundation work on the build introduces the site and structural concepts civil engineers manage.
Structural Engineering
Ensures that a building's frame and foundation can safely support the loads placed on it.
Skills neededAdvanced math, physics, precision, problem-solving
Education optionsBachelor's or Master's degree in structural or civil engineering, plus licensure
ApprenticeshipsEngineering internships common during college
CertificationsProfessional Engineer (PE) License, Structural (SE) endorsement
Typical work environmentPrimarily office-based design work, with jobsite inspections
How Spartan prepares studentsFraming work gives students a physical, practical sense of how structural loads behave.
Surveying
Measures and maps land boundaries and features to guide design and construction.
Skills neededPrecision, math, attention to detail, outdoor fieldwork
Education optionsAssociate or bachelor's degree in surveying, plus licensure
ApprenticeshipsSurvey technician apprenticeship / on-the-job training
CertificationsLicensed Professional Land Surveyor (PLS)
Typical work environmentOutdoor fieldwork in all conditions, plus office data processing
How Spartan prepares studentsSite layout work on the build introduces the measurement principles surveyors rely on.
Real Estate Development
Identifies, finances, and oversees projects that turn land or buildings into finished, usable property.
Skills neededBusiness acumen, negotiation, project oversight, risk tolerance
Education optionsBachelor's degree in business, real estate, or construction management
ApprenticeshipsNot apprenticeship-based; internships common
CertificationsNone required; real estate license optional
Typical work environmentOffices, client meetings, and periodic jobsite visits
How Spartan prepares studentsUnderstanding the full build process gives future developers a grounded, practical perspective.
Construction Entrepreneurship
Starts and runs an independent contracting or trade business.
Skills neededInitiative, financial literacy, trade skill, customer service
Education optionsTrade experience plus business fundamentals; formal education optional
ApprenticeshipsTrade apprenticeship recommended before starting a business
CertificationsUtah Contractor's License
Typical work environmentJobsites and client work, plus the business side of running a company
How Spartan prepares studentsRunning crews and managing phases of the build builds the operational instincts entrepreneurship requires.