Overview of UniTec Career Center
UniTec Career Center, located at 7163 Raider Road, Bonne Terre, Missouri 63628, is a vocational and technical education institution serving high school students from multiple school districts in Madison, St. Francois, and Washington counties. These “sending” districts include:
- Fredericktown R-I (Madison County)
- Bismarck R-V, Central R-III (Park Hills), Farmington R-VII, North St. Francois Co. R-I (Bonne Terre), and West St. Francois Co. R-IV (Leadwood) in St. Francois County
- Potosi R-III (Washington County)
The center provides secondary career and technical education (CTE) programs approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). A full list of approved courses is available on the DESE website.
Contact: Mr. Jeff Cauley, Director Email: jcauley@ncsd.k12.mo.us Phone: (573) 358-2271 Fax: (573) 358-3577
Programs with Adult Enrollment
Certain programs allow adult students to enroll and earn 1- or 2-year certificates. These include:
- Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology (CIP 47.0603)
- Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology (CIP 47.0604)
- Construction Trades (CIP 46.0000)
- Machine Tool Technology/Machinist (CIP 48.0501)
- Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Technology (CIP 47.0611)
- Welding Technology (CIP 48.0508)
The center offers additional secondary programs (e.g., Culinary Arts, Electrical Technology, Health Services, PLTW engineering courses) and evening adult courses (e.g., HVAC, CNA, Electrical, Welding).
Highlight: Carpentry Program (Construction Trades/Technology)
The document lists Construction Trades (CIP 46.0000) as a program open to adult enrollment for a certificate. This aligns with the center’s current Construction Technology program, a two-year hands-on course focused primarily on carpentry skills.
Students learn foundational and advanced construction techniques through simulation projects and real job sites. They must achieve 100% proficiency on all tool safety tests.
Key skills covered include:
- Transit and laser leveling
- Skid steer operation
- Material estimation
- Concrete forming and finishing
- Floor/wall layout and framing
- Rafter/truss building and installation
- Window/door setting
- Roof sheathing, shingling, soffit, and fascia
- Siding, insulation, drywall hanging/finishing, and painting
- Cabinet installation, stair building, metal studs, and interior/exterior finishing
The program articulates with:
- St. Louis Carpenters Apprenticeship Training Facility
- Laborers Apprenticeship Training Facility
- Mineral Area College (eligible for up to 36 embedded college credits, including math and communications)
This prepares students for entry-level roles in residential and commercial construction, with strong emphasis on carpentry as the core trade.
Does It Use the NCCER Curriculum?
No. The official program description on the UniTec website makes no mention of the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) curriculum or certifications. The program relies on practical, hands-on training aligned with industry standards, apprenticeship articulations, and embedded college credit, but it does not reference NCCER as the curriculum source.