Manufacturing & the Trades

Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Cascade Virtual Academy’s (CVA’s) pre-apprenticeship program prepares students for a bright trade career and gives them a competitive edge when applying to a construction apprenticeship program.

About the Program

Our pre-apprenticeship program delivers the academic and hands-on training required by the National Center for Construction and Research (NCCER). Students learn about on-site safety, construction math and measurement, hand and power tool operation, construction drawings, and more.

Pre-Apprenticeship Program Students

This program was specifically designed to prepare students for entry into any formal construction apprenticeship program, including fields such as heavy equipment operations, carpentry, plumbing, electrical and many more. Students who complete the program can opt to apply for apprenticeships for organizations such as the Internation Union of Operation Engineers Local 701 or enter the construction workforce directly.

Apprentice programs help students gain paid, on-the-job experience and graduate with a nationally recognized industry credential, allowing them to enter the workforce without student loan debt.

How it Works

Students who take the CVA pre-apprenticeship course will receive dual credits through Central Oregon Community College (COCC) and CVA. A CVA construction teacher will teach the academic portion of the class and a COCC instructor will instruct the required hands-on training. COCC instructors have a mobile equipment trailer with all the necessary tools for training.

Additional Courses in the Manufacturing Pathway

Construction Explorations

This course provides an overview of the various types of heavy equipment used in construction. Students learn about basic job responsibilities, including safety and on-the-job communications. 

Basic Maintenance of Mobile Equipment

Students explore preventative maintenance of mobile equipment. The course covers safety, correct use of hand tools, and maintenance requirements of major heavy equipment components. 

Manufacturing Explorations

Students learn basic concepts used in many types of manufacturing. They’ll explore potential career options and the topics of personal safety, machine maintenance, and interpersonal skills. 

Engineering Explorations

Students are guided through an investigation of engineering careers where they’ll be introduced to the basics of engineering, learn how to turn problems into ideas, and develop a basic understanding of civil, mechanical, chemical, and biological engineering.