Overview of Northland Career Center
Northland Career Center (NCC), located at 1801 Branch Street, Platte City, Missouri 64079, is a public career and technical education school serving secondary students and adults. Directed by Mr. Jeff Green (email: greenj@platteco.k12.mo.us; phone: 816-858-5505), it partners with sending school districts in Clay and Platte counties (including North Kansas City 74, Smithville R-II, Park Hill R-V, Platte Co. R-III, and West Platte Co. R-II) to provide support services such as guidance, placement, counseling, and financial assistance.
The center offers approved secondary career education programs, with a full list available on the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) website at http://dese.mo.gov/college-career-readiness/career-education.
Programs with Adult Enrollment (1- or 2-Year Certificates)
Certain secondary programs allow adult enrollment, enabling participants to earn 1- or 2-year certificates. The approved programs include:
- Child Care Provider/Assistant (CIP 19.0708)
- Culinary Arts/Chef Training (CIP 12.0503)
- Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician (CIP 47.0607)
- Carpentry/Carpenter (CIP 46.0201) — highlighted below
- Computer Technology/Computer Systems Technology (CIP 15.1202)
- Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician (CIP 47.0605)
- Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (CIP 47.0201)
- Welding Technology/Welder (CIP 48.0508)
The document also references additional 500+ contact hour adult career education programs, but the provided excerpt cuts off before listing them.
Current programs at NCC (based on the school’s website) include Agricultural Sciences, Aviation Technology, Construction Technology (encompassing carpentry), Culinary Arts, Diesel Technology, Health Sciences, Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning, Industrial Welding, IT Professionals, Industrial Automation and Robotics, Law Enforcement/Crime Scene Investigation, and Teaching Professions.
Highlight: Carpentry Program
The attached document lists Carpentry/Carpenter (CIP code 46.0201) as an approved secondary program open to adult enrollment, allowing participants to earn a 1- or 2-year certificate.
On the current NCC website, this aligns with the Construction Technology program, which focuses on home building, light commercial construction, and building trades. Students engage in hands-on shop work building projects, with emphasis on safety, technical skills, and practical application.
Key areas of study include:
- Measuring
- Fasteners
- Blueprint reading
- Hand and power tools
- Carpentry fundamentals
- Electricity
- Framing
- Roofing
- Painting
Students can earn college dual credit through Metropolitan Community College (up to 11 credit hours) or articulated credit at Missouri Western State University (12 hours toward Engineering Technology).
Certifications earned:
- OSHA 10 (required)
- Carpentry Level 2 and 3
- Possible additional: OSHA 30 and Carpenters Union Level 2 & 3 Test
Career pathways include roles like carpenter, construction manager, electrician, cost estimator, brickmason, cabinet maker, painter, and construction laborer, with opportunities for advanced placement in union apprenticeship programs.
The instructor is Mr. Blankenship, with over 10 years of industry experience in construction, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing.
Does the Carpentry Program Use the NCCER Curriculum?
The attached document does not mention any specific curriculum, including NCCER.
However, the current Construction Technology program awards nationally recognized Carpentry Level 2 and 3 certifications, which directly align with the standardized level structure of the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Carpentry curriculum. NCCER is the industry standard for craft training in construction trades, including carpentry, and its modular levels (typically starting from Core/Level 1 through Levels 2–4) are widely used in CTE programs and union apprenticeships. The program’s additional ties to Carpenters Union testing further support compatibility with NCCER, as many union programs incorporate or recognize NCCER credentials.
While the school’s program page does not explicitly name “NCCER,” the certification levels and structure strongly indicate that the program uses or is aligned with the NCCER curriculum.