St. George’s Technical High School Students Excel with International Code Council’s Technical Training Program

St. George’s Technical High School in Middletown, Delaware, has achieved notable success with the implementation of the International Code Council’s Technical Training Program (TTP), a significant step toward shaping the next generation of building safety professionals.

The journey began before the COVID-19 pandemic when the New Castle County Land Use Department introduced the TTP to other vocational schools. Although the pandemic temporarily paused these efforts, the county remained dedicated to building safety education after seeing the value the TTP provided students.

After the pandemic, Mark Veasey, Licensing Manager at the Department of Land Use for New Castle County Government, prioritized reestablishing connections with educators like Bryan Ross, a drafting instructor at St. George’s Technical High School and a Delaware Air National Guardsman.

“When we picked back up on promoting the TTP to schools, we were excited to see all the changes the Code Council had made to the platform, including an online portal and digital access to building codes,” said Veasey.

After hearing about the TTP from Veasey and encouraged by testimonials from other instructors, Ross took on the challenge of teaching building codes to his students. His innovative approach included activities like scavenger hunts through the codes and scenario-based learning, which made the learning materials engaging and practical.

“I turned it into a scavenger hunt to make it as fun as possible. I layered in scenarios and asked students to find the reference for a specific code breach and explain what the code says, providing reasons why it is or isn’t correct,” said Ross.

Addressing the Industry’s Needs for Building Safety Professionals

Veasey’s support aligns with New Castle County’s goal to support the next generation of building safety professionals, addressing the industry’s shortage of young talent. By providing detailed knowledge of building codes, the TTP prepares students to become better building safety professionals.

“When Ross’ students understand both the specifics and the reasoning behind the code, they become better designers in their respective trades upon graduation. The program’s emphasis on code knowledge aims to improve the entire community,” said Veasey.

In his class, Ross stressed the importance of understanding the “why” behind the codes, which prevents future mistakes on the field and makes students look better to potential employers.

Ross’ approach emphasized that students shouldn’t focus on memorizing the codes but rather on understanding how to locate and apply them. This practical knowledge is crucial for their success as future professionals in the building industry, whether as designers, inspectors or in other roles.

This year, all of Ross’ students passed the final exam, showcasing their understanding of building safety codes and positioning themselves as strong candidates for careers in the field.

Benefits of the Code Council’s Technical Training Program

The TTP is a flexible educational program based on the Code Council’s International Residential Code® divided into five disciplines: building, plumbing, HVAC (mechanical), electrical and energy.

This structure enables an instructor to integrate one or more disciplines of the program into their current construction trade curricula to better prepare students for careers in the construction and building field.

Key benefits of the TTP include: 

• Leading Edge Learning: Students gain up-to-date code information and practical technical training 
• Flexibility: Equipped with TTP knowledge, students are better prepared for building safety careers and college opportunities 
• Comprehensive: The program provides necessary course materials, exams and certificates for easy implementation 
• Nationally Recognized: Students receive an industry-recognized Certificate of Completion from the Code Council upon completing any of the five disciplines and passing the final exam 
• Career Preparation: Completing all five disciplines prepares students for the Code Council Residential Building Inspector Certification exam, essential for obtaining a residential building inspector position in most jurisdictions 
• ICC Membership: Students receive a complimentary 3-month Code Council Participating Membership

St. George’s Technical High School: A Model for Success

St. George’s Technical High School’s implementation of the TTP showcases the program’s potential to transform vocational education and address industry needs.

By providing students with comprehensive code knowledge and practical skills, the school is helping to build a safer and more competent future workforce. The success of Ross and his students serves as a model for other schools and educators aiming to integrate similar programs into their curriculum.

To learn more about the Code Council’s Technical Training Program, click here.