Grade 13 · a vocational technology learning center, by urbanicityHome & Building Inspection
11 courses · 600 clock hours · 2–4 mo full-time. Grading is competency-based: each course requires the written exam, a competent skills demonstration with zero safety faults, a signed log, and a passed safety audit; percentage weights only rank performance above the competency floor.
Universal Core: Safety, Math, Communication & Career
Shared first block for every VoTechWorks program. OSHA 10 (30 for construction management), first aid/CPR/AED, applied trade math and measurement, technical reading and writing, digital literacy, and career readiness. Completed before students enter the studio and client engagement unsupervised.
Outcomes- Hold an OSHA 10 card and current CPR/AED certification
- Convert, measure and estimate with trade units, fractions, percentages and basic geometry
- Read a specification, code excerpt or manual and write a clear technical report
- Use email, spreadsheets, and the program's digital job-management tools
- Present a resume, portfolio and interview answers to an employer panel
Course text
Shared first block for every VoTechWorks program. OSHA 10 (30 for construction management), first aid/CPR/AED, applied trade math and measurement, technical reading and writing, digital literacy, and career readiness. Completed before students enter the studio and client engagement unsupervised.
How the course runs. 7 blocks: OSHA 10: introduction, rights, hazard recognition; First aid, CPR and AED; Applied trade math I: units, fractions, conversion; Applied trade math II: geometry, ratio and estimating; Technical reading and writing; Digital literacy for the trade; Career readiness: resume, portfolio, interview.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OSHA 10: introduction, rights, hazard recognition | 10 | theory | Complete the OSHA 10-hour outreach course. |
| OSHA outreach materials | OSHA card issued |
| 2 | First aid, CPR and AED | 8 | practice | Respond to a collapse, bleed, burn or choke until help arrives. |
| Manikins, AED trainer, first-aid kit | AHA/Red Cross card issued |
| 3 | Applied trade math I: units, fractions, conversion | 20 | theory | Convert, add and scale measurements used in the trade. |
| Trade math workbook, tape measures, calculators | Quiz ≥ 70% |
| 4 | Applied trade math II: geometry, ratio and estimating | 20 | theory | Lay out from a drawing and estimate quantity, time and cost. |
| Drawings, estimating sheets | Estimate within 10% of the key |
| 5 | Technical reading and writing | 30 | theory | Read a specification or manual and write a clear technical report. |
| Spec excerpts, report template | Report rubric ≥ 3/4 |
| 6 | Digital literacy for the trade | 30 | lab | Use email, spreadsheets, and the trade's job-management tools. |
| Lab computers/tablets, the job app | IC3/MOS-style practical passed |
| 7 | Career readiness: resume, portfolio, interview | 30 | practice | Present yourself to an employer panel. |
| Portfolio templates, employer volunteers | Panel pass |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OSHA 10 and first-aid written exams | Written exam | 25% | OSHA card issued; CPR/AED card issued | Authorized outreach trainer exam plus AHA/Red Cross skills check. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
| Applied math & measurement exam | Written exam | 25% | 70% | Timed exam: conversions, layout math, estimating from a drawing or recipe/order. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
| Technical report | Project | 25% | Rubric ≥ 3 of 4 on every criterion | A written report on a real task from the trade: problem, standard, method, result. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
| Employer panel interview | Oral / panel | 25% | Panel pass | Resume, 3-minute portfolio walk-through, and interview with two employer advisors. Accuracy · Safety · Communication · Professionalism |
Structure
Competency course in Structure for the Home & Building Inspection program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the studio and client engagement, measured against professional standards and applicable law. Students plan, execute and reconcile real work in Structure and keep a work file signed off by the instructor.
Outcomes- Explain the principles, terminology and standards that govern Structure
- Select and safely use the tools, equipment and materials for Structure
- Perform the core tasks of Structure to the standard, within time, without rework
- Identify faults, hazards and non-conformities in Structure work and correct them
- Document Structure work in the work file to industry format
Course text
Competency course in Structure for the Home & Building Inspection program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the studio and client engagement, measured against professional standards and applicable law. Students plan, execute and reconcile real work in Structure and keep a work file signed off by the instructor.
Why it matters. In Home & Building Inspection, structure is not a chapter to pass through but a skill an employer will pay for on day one; every credential exam in this program tests it directly or assumes it. The course runs in studio, against professional standards and applicable law, with the practice lead as the standard of judgment.
How the course runs. 5 blocks of about 7 hours: orientation and safety first, then the tools and the vocabulary, then the standard that governs the work. Guided practice becomes independent practice; measurement and inspection teach the student to judge their own work; the fault lab teaches what failure looks like before it happens on a job. A timed production run and the documentation block close the loop, and the course ends with the written exam and the observed skills demonstration.
What competent looks like. The student can explain structure, set up for it safely, perform it to the standard within time, spot and correct what is wrong, and write it up so that a stranger could verify the work.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orientation and safety for structure | 7 | theory | State the hazards of structure work and the controls for each; pass the safety brief. |
| PPE set, hazard cards, the program safety manual | Safety quiz 100% (retake until perfect); PPE donned correctly on demand |
| 2 | Tools, materials and terminology of structure | 7 | demo | Name, select and care for the tools and materials of structure; use the trade vocabulary correctly. |
| Full tool kit for structure, material samples, tool cards | Oral check: 20 tools/terms named and their use stated |
| 3 | Fundamentals I: guided practice in structure | 7 | practice | Perform the core tasks of structure step by step under direct supervision. |
| Practice stock/consumables, step checklists, the log | Checklist completed with instructor initials on every step |
| 4 | Documentation: the log and the report in structure | 7 | theory | Record structure work in the industry format so a stranger could verify it. |
| Report template, the certifying body's hours form | Report accepted by instructor; hours form correctly completed |
| 5 | Written exam and skills demonstration: structure | 7 | assessment | Pass the course's written exam and the observed skills demonstration. |
| Exam, checklist, all tools and stock for the demonstration | Written ≥ 75%; demonstration competent on every critical step with zero safety faults |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure: written exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% | Theory, terminology, standards and safety for Structure. Multiple choice plus short calculation/interpretation items drawn from the certification body's task list. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Structure: skills demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Competent on every critical step; zero safety faults | Observed, timed performance of the core tasks of Structure against a checklist. A critical-step miss or a safety fault stops the assessment; re-attempt after remediation. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Structure: work file | Log | 15% | Complete, signed, ≥ 90% attendance of lab hours | Daily entries: task, standard, method, result, time; instructor sign-off. Serves as hours evidence for the licensing/certifying body. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Structure: safety audit | Safety audit | 15% | Pass/fail — must pass | Unannounced audit of PPE, housekeeping, lockout/guarding, and hazard communication while performing Structure work. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
Roofing
Competency course in roofing for the Home & Building Inspection program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the studio and client engagement, measured against professional standards and applicable law. Students plan, execute and reconcile real work in roofing and keep a work file signed off by the instructor.
Outcomes- Explain the principles, terminology and standards that govern roofing
- Select and safely use the tools, equipment and materials for roofing
- Perform the core tasks of roofing to the standard, within time, without rework
- Identify faults, hazards and non-conformities in roofing work and correct them
- Document roofing work in the work file to industry format
Course text
Competency course in roofing for the Home & Building Inspection program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the studio and client engagement, measured against professional standards and applicable law. Students plan, execute and reconcile real work in roofing and keep a work file signed off by the instructor.
Why it matters. In Home & Building Inspection, roofing is not a chapter to pass through but a skill an employer will pay for on day one; every credential exam in this program tests it directly or assumes it. The course runs in studio, against professional standards and applicable law, with the practice lead as the standard of judgment.
How the course runs. 5 blocks of about 7 hours: orientation and safety first, then the tools and the vocabulary, then the standard that governs the work. Guided practice becomes independent practice; measurement and inspection teach the student to judge their own work; the fault lab teaches what failure looks like before it happens on a job. A timed production run and the documentation block close the loop, and the course ends with the written exam and the observed skills demonstration.
What competent looks like. The student can explain roofing, set up for it safely, perform it to the standard within time, spot and correct what is wrong, and write it up so that a stranger could verify the work.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orientation and safety for roofing | 7 | theory | State the hazards of roofing work and the controls for each; pass the safety brief. |
| PPE set, hazard cards, the program safety manual | Safety quiz 100% (retake until perfect); PPE donned correctly on demand |
| 2 | Tools, materials and terminology of roofing | 7 | demo | Name, select and care for the tools and materials of roofing; use the trade vocabulary correctly. |
| Full tool kit for roofing, material samples, tool cards | Oral check: 20 tools/terms named and their use stated |
| 3 | Fundamentals I: guided practice in roofing | 7 | practice | Perform the core tasks of roofing step by step under direct supervision. |
| Practice stock/consumables, step checklists, the log | Checklist completed with instructor initials on every step |
| 4 | Documentation: the log and the report in roofing | 7 | theory | Record roofing work in the industry format so a stranger could verify it. |
| Report template, the certifying body's hours form | Report accepted by instructor; hours form correctly completed |
| 5 | Written exam and skills demonstration: roofing | 7 | assessment | Pass the course's written exam and the observed skills demonstration. |
| Exam, checklist, all tools and stock for the demonstration | Written ≥ 75%; demonstration competent on every critical step with zero safety faults |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofing: written exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% | Theory, terminology, standards and safety for roofing. Multiple choice plus short calculation/interpretation items drawn from the certification body's task list. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Roofing: skills demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Competent on every critical step; zero safety faults | Observed, timed performance of the core tasks of roofing against a checklist. A critical-step miss or a safety fault stops the assessment; re-attempt after remediation. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Roofing: work file | Log | 15% | Complete, signed, ≥ 90% attendance of lab hours | Daily entries: task, standard, method, result, time; instructor sign-off. Serves as hours evidence for the licensing/certifying body. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Roofing: safety audit | Safety audit | 15% | Pass/fail — must pass | Unannounced audit of PPE, housekeeping, lockout/guarding, and hazard communication while performing roofing work. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
Electrical
Competency course in electrical for the Home & Building Inspection program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the studio and client engagement, measured against professional standards and applicable law. Students plan, execute and reconcile real work in electrical and keep a work file signed off by the instructor.
Outcomes- Explain the principles, terminology and standards that govern electrical
- Select and safely use the tools, equipment and materials for electrical
- Perform the core tasks of electrical to the standard, within time, without rework
- Identify faults, hazards and non-conformities in electrical work and correct them
- Document electrical work in the work file to industry format
Course text
Competency course in electrical for the Home & Building Inspection program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the studio and client engagement, measured against professional standards and applicable law. Students plan, execute and reconcile real work in electrical and keep a work file signed off by the instructor.
Why it matters. In Home & Building Inspection, electrical is not a chapter to pass through but a skill an employer will pay for on day one; every credential exam in this program tests it directly or assumes it. The course runs in studio, against professional standards and applicable law, with the practice lead as the standard of judgment.
How the course runs. 5 blocks of about 7 hours: orientation and safety first, then the tools and the vocabulary, then the standard that governs the work. Guided practice becomes independent practice; measurement and inspection teach the student to judge their own work; the fault lab teaches what failure looks like before it happens on a job. A timed production run and the documentation block close the loop, and the course ends with the written exam and the observed skills demonstration.
What competent looks like. The student can explain electrical, set up for it safely, perform it to the standard within time, spot and correct what is wrong, and write it up so that a stranger could verify the work.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orientation and safety for electrical | 7 | theory | State the hazards of electrical work and the controls for each; pass the safety brief. |
| PPE set, hazard cards, the program safety manual | Safety quiz 100% (retake until perfect); PPE donned correctly on demand |
| 2 | Tools, materials and terminology of electrical | 7 | demo | Name, select and care for the tools and materials of electrical; use the trade vocabulary correctly. |
| Full tool kit for electrical, material samples, tool cards | Oral check: 20 tools/terms named and their use stated |
| 3 | Fundamentals I: guided practice in electrical | 7 | practice | Perform the core tasks of electrical step by step under direct supervision. |
| Practice stock/consumables, step checklists, the log | Checklist completed with instructor initials on every step |
| 4 | Documentation: the log and the report in electrical | 7 | theory | Record electrical work in the industry format so a stranger could verify it. |
| Report template, the certifying body's hours form | Report accepted by instructor; hours form correctly completed |
| 5 | Written exam and skills demonstration: electrical | 7 | assessment | Pass the course's written exam and the observed skills demonstration. |
| Exam, checklist, all tools and stock for the demonstration | Written ≥ 75%; demonstration competent on every critical step with zero safety faults |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical: written exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% | Theory, terminology, standards and safety for electrical. Multiple choice plus short calculation/interpretation items drawn from the certification body's task list. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Electrical: skills demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Competent on every critical step; zero safety faults | Observed, timed performance of the core tasks of electrical against a checklist. A critical-step miss or a safety fault stops the assessment; re-attempt after remediation. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Electrical: work file | Log | 15% | Complete, signed, ≥ 90% attendance of lab hours | Daily entries: task, standard, method, result, time; instructor sign-off. Serves as hours evidence for the licensing/certifying body. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Electrical: safety audit | Safety audit | 15% | Pass/fail — must pass | Unannounced audit of PPE, housekeeping, lockout/guarding, and hazard communication while performing electrical work. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
Plumbing
Competency course in plumbing for the Home & Building Inspection program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the studio and client engagement, measured against professional standards and applicable law. Students plan, execute and reconcile real work in plumbing and keep a work file signed off by the instructor.
Outcomes- Explain the principles, terminology and standards that govern plumbing
- Select and safely use the tools, equipment and materials for plumbing
- Perform the core tasks of plumbing to the standard, within time, without rework
- Identify faults, hazards and non-conformities in plumbing work and correct them
- Document plumbing work in the work file to industry format
Course text
Competency course in plumbing for the Home & Building Inspection program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the studio and client engagement, measured against professional standards and applicable law. Students plan, execute and reconcile real work in plumbing and keep a work file signed off by the instructor.
Why it matters. In Home & Building Inspection, plumbing is not a chapter to pass through but a skill an employer will pay for on day one; every credential exam in this program tests it directly or assumes it. The course runs in studio, against professional standards and applicable law, with the practice lead as the standard of judgment.
How the course runs. 5 blocks of about 7 hours: orientation and safety first, then the tools and the vocabulary, then the standard that governs the work. Guided practice becomes independent practice; measurement and inspection teach the student to judge their own work; the fault lab teaches what failure looks like before it happens on a job. A timed production run and the documentation block close the loop, and the course ends with the written exam and the observed skills demonstration.
What competent looks like. The student can explain plumbing, set up for it safely, perform it to the standard within time, spot and correct what is wrong, and write it up so that a stranger could verify the work.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orientation and safety for plumbing | 7 | theory | State the hazards of plumbing work and the controls for each; pass the safety brief. |
| PPE set, hazard cards, the program safety manual | Safety quiz 100% (retake until perfect); PPE donned correctly on demand |
| 2 | Tools, materials and terminology of plumbing | 7 | demo | Name, select and care for the tools and materials of plumbing; use the trade vocabulary correctly. |
| Full tool kit for plumbing, material samples, tool cards | Oral check: 20 tools/terms named and their use stated |
| 3 | Fundamentals I: guided practice in plumbing | 7 | practice | Perform the core tasks of plumbing step by step under direct supervision. |
| Practice stock/consumables, step checklists, the log | Checklist completed with instructor initials on every step |
| 4 | Documentation: the log and the report in plumbing | 7 | theory | Record plumbing work in the industry format so a stranger could verify it. |
| Report template, the certifying body's hours form | Report accepted by instructor; hours form correctly completed |
| 5 | Written exam and skills demonstration: plumbing | 7 | assessment | Pass the course's written exam and the observed skills demonstration. |
| Exam, checklist, all tools and stock for the demonstration | Written ≥ 75%; demonstration competent on every critical step with zero safety faults |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing: written exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% | Theory, terminology, standards and safety for plumbing. Multiple choice plus short calculation/interpretation items drawn from the certification body's task list. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Plumbing: skills demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Competent on every critical step; zero safety faults | Observed, timed performance of the core tasks of plumbing against a checklist. A critical-step miss or a safety fault stops the assessment; re-attempt after remediation. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Plumbing: work file | Log | 15% | Complete, signed, ≥ 90% attendance of lab hours | Daily entries: task, standard, method, result, time; instructor sign-off. Serves as hours evidence for the licensing/certifying body. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Plumbing: safety audit | Safety audit | 15% | Pass/fail — must pass | Unannounced audit of PPE, housekeeping, lockout/guarding, and hazard communication while performing plumbing work. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
HVAC
Competency course in HVAC for the Home & Building Inspection program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the studio and client engagement, measured against professional standards and applicable law. Students plan, execute and reconcile real work in HVAC and keep a work file signed off by the instructor.
Outcomes- Explain the principles, terminology and standards that govern HVAC
- Select and safely use the tools, equipment and materials for HVAC
- Perform the core tasks of HVAC to the standard, within time, without rework
- Identify faults, hazards and non-conformities in HVAC work and correct them
- Document HVAC work in the work file to industry format
Course text
Competency course in HVAC for the Home & Building Inspection program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the studio and client engagement, measured against professional standards and applicable law. Students plan, execute and reconcile real work in HVAC and keep a work file signed off by the instructor.
Why it matters. In Home & Building Inspection, hVAC is not a chapter to pass through but a skill an employer will pay for on day one; every credential exam in this program tests it directly or assumes it. The course runs in studio, against professional standards and applicable law, with the practice lead as the standard of judgment.
How the course runs. 5 blocks of about 6.8 hours: orientation and safety first, then the tools and the vocabulary, then the standard that governs the work. Guided practice becomes independent practice; measurement and inspection teach the student to judge their own work; the fault lab teaches what failure looks like before it happens on a job. A timed production run and the documentation block close the loop, and the course ends with the written exam and the observed skills demonstration.
What competent looks like. The student can explain hVAC, set up for it safely, perform it to the standard within time, spot and correct what is wrong, and write it up so that a stranger could verify the work.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orientation and safety for hVAC | 6.8 | theory | State the hazards of hVAC work and the controls for each; pass the safety brief. |
| PPE set, hazard cards, the program safety manual | Safety quiz 100% (retake until perfect); PPE donned correctly on demand |
| 2 | Tools, materials and terminology of hVAC | 6.8 | demo | Name, select and care for the tools and materials of hVAC; use the trade vocabulary correctly. |
| Full tool kit for hVAC, material samples, tool cards | Oral check: 20 tools/terms named and their use stated |
| 3 | Fundamentals I: guided practice in hVAC | 6.8 | practice | Perform the core tasks of hVAC step by step under direct supervision. |
| Practice stock/consumables, step checklists, the log | Checklist completed with instructor initials on every step |
| 4 | Documentation: the log and the report in hVAC | 6.8 | theory | Record hVAC work in the industry format so a stranger could verify it. |
| Report template, the certifying body's hours form | Report accepted by instructor; hours form correctly completed |
| 5 | Written exam and skills demonstration: hVAC | 6.8 | assessment | Pass the course's written exam and the observed skills demonstration. |
| Exam, checklist, all tools and stock for the demonstration | Written ≥ 75%; demonstration competent on every critical step with zero safety faults |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC: written exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% | Theory, terminology, standards and safety for HVAC. Multiple choice plus short calculation/interpretation items drawn from the certification body's task list. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| HVAC: skills demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Competent on every critical step; zero safety faults | Observed, timed performance of the core tasks of HVAC against a checklist. A critical-step miss or a safety fault stops the assessment; re-attempt after remediation. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| HVAC: work file | Log | 15% | Complete, signed, ≥ 90% attendance of lab hours | Daily entries: task, standard, method, result, time; instructor sign-off. Serves as hours evidence for the licensing/certifying body. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| HVAC: safety audit | Safety audit | 15% | Pass/fail — must pass | Unannounced audit of PPE, housekeeping, lockout/guarding, and hazard communication while performing HVAC work. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
Report writing
Competency course in report writing for the Home & Building Inspection program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the studio and client engagement, measured against professional standards and applicable law. Students plan, execute and reconcile real work in report writing and keep a work file signed off by the instructor.
Outcomes- Explain the principles, terminology and standards that govern report writing
- Select and safely use the tools, equipment and materials for report writing
- Perform the core tasks of report writing to the standard, within time, without rework
- Identify faults, hazards and non-conformities in report writing work and correct them
- Document report writing work in the work file to industry format
Course text
Competency course in report writing for the Home & Building Inspection program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the studio and client engagement, measured against professional standards and applicable law. Students plan, execute and reconcile real work in report writing and keep a work file signed off by the instructor.
Why it matters. In Home & Building Inspection, report writing is not a chapter to pass through but a skill an employer will pay for on day one; every credential exam in this program tests it directly or assumes it. The course runs in studio, against professional standards and applicable law, with the practice lead as the standard of judgment.
How the course runs. 5 blocks of about 6.8 hours: orientation and safety first, then the tools and the vocabulary, then the standard that governs the work. Guided practice becomes independent practice; measurement and inspection teach the student to judge their own work; the fault lab teaches what failure looks like before it happens on a job. A timed production run and the documentation block close the loop, and the course ends with the written exam and the observed skills demonstration.
What competent looks like. The student can explain report writing, set up for it safely, perform it to the standard within time, spot and correct what is wrong, and write it up so that a stranger could verify the work.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orientation and safety for report writing | 6.8 | theory | State the hazards of report writing work and the controls for each; pass the safety brief. |
| PPE set, hazard cards, the program safety manual | Safety quiz 100% (retake until perfect); PPE donned correctly on demand |
| 2 | Tools, materials and terminology of report writing | 6.8 | demo | Name, select and care for the tools and materials of report writing; use the trade vocabulary correctly. |
| Full tool kit for report writing, material samples, tool cards | Oral check: 20 tools/terms named and their use stated |
| 3 | Fundamentals I: guided practice in report writing | 6.8 | practice | Perform the core tasks of report writing step by step under direct supervision. |
| Practice stock/consumables, step checklists, the log | Checklist completed with instructor initials on every step |
| 4 | Documentation: the log and the report in report writing | 6.8 | theory | Record report writing work in the industry format so a stranger could verify it. |
| Report template, the certifying body's hours form | Report accepted by instructor; hours form correctly completed |
| 5 | Written exam and skills demonstration: report writing | 6.8 | assessment | Pass the course's written exam and the observed skills demonstration. |
| Exam, checklist, all tools and stock for the demonstration | Written ≥ 75%; demonstration competent on every critical step with zero safety faults |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report writing: written exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% | Theory, terminology, standards and safety for report writing. Multiple choice plus short calculation/interpretation items drawn from the certification body's task list. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Report writing: skills demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Competent on every critical step; zero safety faults | Observed, timed performance of the core tasks of report writing against a checklist. A critical-step miss or a safety fault stops the assessment; re-attempt after remediation. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Report writing: work file | Log | 15% | Complete, signed, ≥ 90% attendance of lab hours | Daily entries: task, standard, method, result, time; instructor sign-off. Serves as hours evidence for the licensing/certifying body. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Report writing: safety audit | Safety audit | 15% | Pass/fail — must pass | Unannounced audit of PPE, housekeeping, lockout/guarding, and hazard communication while performing report writing work. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
Standards of practice
Competency course in standards of practice for the Home & Building Inspection program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the studio and client engagement, measured against professional standards and applicable law. Students plan, execute and reconcile real work in standards of practice and keep a work file signed off by the instructor.
Outcomes- Explain the principles, terminology and standards that govern standards of practice
- Select and safely use the tools, equipment and materials for standards of practice
- Perform the core tasks of standards of practice to the standard, within time, without rework
- Identify faults, hazards and non-conformities in standards of practice work and correct them
- Document standards of practice work in the work file to industry format
Course text
Competency course in standards of practice for the Home & Building Inspection program. Instruction moves from demonstration to supervised practice to independent performance in the studio and client engagement, measured against professional standards and applicable law. Students plan, execute and reconcile real work in standards of practice and keep a work file signed off by the instructor.
Why it matters. In Home & Building Inspection, standards of practice is not a chapter to pass through but a skill an employer will pay for on day one; every credential exam in this program tests it directly or assumes it. The course runs in studio, against professional standards and applicable law, with the practice lead as the standard of judgment.
How the course runs. 5 blocks of about 6.8 hours: orientation and safety first, then the tools and the vocabulary, then the standard that governs the work. Guided practice becomes independent practice; measurement and inspection teach the student to judge their own work; the fault lab teaches what failure looks like before it happens on a job. A timed production run and the documentation block close the loop, and the course ends with the written exam and the observed skills demonstration.
What competent looks like. The student can explain standards of practice, set up for it safely, perform it to the standard within time, spot and correct what is wrong, and write it up so that a stranger could verify the work.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orientation and safety for standards of practice | 6.8 | theory | State the hazards of standards of practice work and the controls for each; pass the safety brief. |
| PPE set, hazard cards, the program safety manual | Safety quiz 100% (retake until perfect); PPE donned correctly on demand |
| 2 | Tools, materials and terminology of standards of practice | 6.8 | demo | Name, select and care for the tools and materials of standards of practice; use the trade vocabulary correctly. |
| Full tool kit for standards of practice, material samples, tool cards | Oral check: 20 tools/terms named and their use stated |
| 3 | Fundamentals I: guided practice in standards of practice | 6.8 | practice | Perform the core tasks of standards of practice step by step under direct supervision. |
| Practice stock/consumables, step checklists, the log | Checklist completed with instructor initials on every step |
| 4 | Documentation: the log and the report in standards of practice | 6.8 | theory | Record standards of practice work in the industry format so a stranger could verify it. |
| Report template, the certifying body's hours form | Report accepted by instructor; hours form correctly completed |
| 5 | Written exam and skills demonstration: standards of practice | 6.8 | assessment | Pass the course's written exam and the observed skills demonstration. |
| Exam, checklist, all tools and stock for the demonstration | Written ≥ 75%; demonstration competent on every critical step with zero safety faults |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standards of practice: written exam | Written exam | 25% | 75% | Theory, terminology, standards and safety for standards of practice. Multiple choice plus short calculation/interpretation items drawn from the certification body's task list. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Standards of practice: skills demonstration | Skills demonstration | 45% | Competent on every critical step; zero safety faults | Observed, timed performance of the core tasks of standards of practice against a checklist. A critical-step miss or a safety fault stops the assessment; re-attempt after remediation. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Standards of practice: work file | Log | 15% | Complete, signed, ≥ 90% attendance of lab hours | Daily entries: task, standard, method, result, time; instructor sign-off. Serves as hours evidence for the licensing/certifying body. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
| Standards of practice: safety audit | Safety audit | 15% | Pass/fail — must pass | Unannounced audit of PPE, housekeeping, lockout/guarding, and hazard communication while performing standards of practice work. Standard met · Safety · Time · Quality/finish · Documentation |
Capstone Project
An integrated, assessed piece of real work that draws on every trade course in Home & Building Inspection: planned, estimated, executed and documented by the student, reviewed by an employer advisor. Capstones are shown in the Student Yard or the Museum of VoTech where the work allows.
Outcomes- Plan and estimate a complete job from a specification
- Execute the job to standard within the estimate
- Present the finished work and its documentation to an employer panel
Course text
An integrated, assessed piece of real work that draws on every trade course in Home & Building Inspection: planned, estimated, executed and documented by the student, reviewed by an employer advisor. Capstones are shown in the Student Yard or the Museum of VoTech where the work allows.
How the course runs. 4 blocks: Capstone brief and specification; Capstone build I; Capstone build II; Capstone presentation and defense.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capstone brief and specification | 18 | theory | Read the capstone specification and plan the job. |
| Capstone spec, estimating sheets | Plan and estimate approved |
| 2 | Capstone build I | 18 | practice | Execute the first half of the capstone to standard. |
| All materials per estimate | Mid-point inspection passed |
| 3 | Capstone build II | 18 | practice | Complete the capstone to standard within the estimate. |
| As above | Work complete; package complete |
| 4 | Capstone presentation and defense | 18 | assessment | Present the finished work and its documentation to the panel. |
| Presentation space, the finished work | Rubric ≥ 3/4 on every criterion |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capstone: finished work + documentation | Project | 60% | Rubric ≥ 3 of 4 on every criterion | Employer advisor + instructor score the finished work against the specification, the estimate, and the documentation package. Meets specification · Within estimate · Workmanship · Safety · Documentation |
| Capstone: portfolio | Portfolio | 20% | Complete | Photos/drawings/logs of every course skills demonstration plus the capstone, in the program portfolio format. Completeness · Organization · Evidence quality |
| Capstone: defense | Oral / panel | 20% | Panel pass | 15-minute presentation and questions from the panel. Explains decisions · Answers technical questions · Professional communication |
Externship / Worksite Placement
Supervised placement with an employer partner in Home & Building Inspection work. Hours are logged against the certifying body's task list; the employer evaluates against the same rubric used in the shop.
Outcomes- Perform the trade's tasks in a real workplace under supervision
- Meet employer expectations for attendance, safety and conduct
- Log hours and tasks in the format the certifying body accepts
Course text
Supervised placement with an employer partner in Home & Building Inspection work. Hours are logged against the certifying body's task list; the employer evaluates against the same rubric used in the shop.
How the course runs. 4 blocks: Placement orientation; Supervised work: weeks 1–2; Supervised work: weeks 3–4; Supervised work: final weeks.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Placement orientation | 27 | theory | Know the site, its rules, and the competency list you will be evaluated on. |
| Site handbook, competency list, hours log | Induction signed |
| 2 | Supervised work: weeks 1–2 | 27 | field | Perform entry tasks under close supervision. |
| Hours log | Log current; supervisor initials |
| 3 | Supervised work: weeks 3–4 | 27 | field | Perform the trade's routine tasks with normal supervision. |
| Hours log, evaluation form | Mid-point evaluation satisfactory |
| 4 | Supervised work: final weeks | 27 | field | Meet employer expectations for a new hire on the competency list. |
| Evaluation form, hours verification | Final evaluation satisfactory on every competency; hours verified |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employer evaluation | Skills demonstration | 70% | Satisfactory on every competency | Mid-point and final evaluation by the site supervisor on the program competency list. Competency · Safety · Attendance · Conduct · Initiative |
| Hours & task log | Log | 30% | Required hours complete and verified | Signed log of hours and tasks; verified by the registrar for the board/certifying body. Complete · Verified |
Certification Exam Preparation
Structured preparation for ASHI ACI; InterNACHI CPI; State Home Inspector License: content review mapped to the exam blueprint, timed practice exams, practical-exam rehearsal, and registration/eligibility paperwork with the registrar.
Outcomes- Score ≥ 80% on two timed mock exams
- Complete the eligibility application and hours verification
- Rehearse the practical exam format to time
Course text
Structured preparation for ASHI ACI; InterNACHI CPI; State Home Inspector License: content review mapped to the exam blueprint, timed practice exams, practical-exam rehearsal, and registration/eligibility paperwork with the registrar.
How the course runs. 4 blocks: The exam blueprint; Mock exam I and review; Practical exam rehearsal; Mock exam II and registration.
| # | Lesson | Hr | Type | Objective | Activities | Materials | Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The exam blueprint | 7.5 | theory | Map the credential exam blueprint to what you have learned. |
| Published blueprint, study plan template | Study plan on file |
| 2 | Mock exam I and review | 7.5 | assessment | Sit a timed full-length mock and review every miss. |
| Mock exam, answer keys | Score recorded; review complete |
| 3 | Practical exam rehearsal | 7.5 | practice | Rehearse the practical/skills portion to the exam's time and format. |
| Practical exam materials | Rehearsal within time, no critical misses |
| 4 | Mock exam II and registration | 7.5 | assessment | Sit the second mock and complete exam registration. |
| Registration forms, hours evidence | ≥ 80%; registration submitted |
| Assessment | Type | Weight | Pass standard | Method & rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mock certification exam (×2) | Mock certification exam | 100% | ≥ 80% on both | Full-length timed mocks built from the certifying body's published blueprint; second attempt after targeted review. Score · Time management |
External credential: ASHI ACI; InterNACHI CPI; State Home Inspector License
The program completion credential(s). Sat at the school's authorized testing center or the body's test site; results recorded in the student record and reported in the annual outcomes report. Pass standard: Credential issued by the body.
Back to Home & Building Inspection · How the school gets authority to award these credentials