Apprenticeship: Carpentry Pile Driver
16 courses · Santiago Canyon College · 2025-2026 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026
ACPD 021 Orientation
This course examines fundamental trade skills, employee-employer roles and responsibilities, and safe work practices needed for entry level performance for pile drivers in the construction industry. While an emphasis will be placed on attaining standard industry safety credentials, the course is designed to provide students with practical experience using construction terminology, math operations and basic measuring techniques, and tool identification and use in preparation for the next level of training. Safety will cover OSHA training for jobsite hazard recognition, accident prevention, and safe tool and equipment operation. Open Entry/Open Exit.
ACPD 022 Safety and Health Certifications
- Prerequisite
- ACPD 021 (Orientation)
This course is designed to increase the pile driver students’ awareness of construction hazard communication systems, proper tool/equipment operation, and will emphasize the importance of the individual responsibility for workplace safety and health. The students will discern that the construction environment has a higher potential for injuries and accidents than most workplaces and therefore requires the ability to assess danger, employ prevention measures, and take appropriate action in emergencies. This training will expose students to various health emergency scenarios, and provide students with ample opportunities to practice the appropriate CPR and first aid response. Because many injuries are the result of improper tool and equipment use, students will be trained on how to correctly select, inspect, use, and operate fall protection systems, tools, and powered lift truck equipment. Open Entry/Open Exit.
ACPD 023 Tool/Equipment Applications
- Prerequisite
- ACPD 021 (Orientation); ACPD 022 (Safety and Health)
This course promotes hand/power tool and equipment skill development for various construction applications. Scaffold building and aerial lift safety and operating procedures will also be covered. Upon successful completion, students will be issued United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) Aerial Lift and Scaffold Erector-Welded Frame Qualification Cards. Open Entry/Open Exit.
ACPD 024A Piles and Hammers A
- Prerequisite
- ACPD 021 (Orientation); ACPD 022 (Safety and Health)
This course provides an overview of the types of piles used in construction as load-bearing support for commercial buildings, bridges, and piers when ground stratum is insufficient in strength. The rigging methods, driving techniques, and pile hammers utilized in the installation process will be presented. Students will use the proper procedures to install a lap-joint wood sheet pile system during this part of the training. Open Entry/Open Exit.
ACPD 024B Piles and Hammers B
- Prerequisite
- ACPD 021 (Orientation); ACPD 022 (Safety and Health)
This course provides an overview of the types of piles used in construction as load-bearing support for commercial buildings, bridges, and piers when ground stratum is insufficient in strength. The rigging methods, driving techniques, and pile hammers utilized in the installation process will be presented. Students will use the proper procedures to install a tongue and groove wood sheet pile system during this part of the training. Open Entry/Open Exit.
ACPD 026A Falsework A
- Prerequisite
- ACPD 021 (Orientation); ACPD 022 (Safety and Health)
As part one of two courses, training will focus on bridge falsework construction. The techniques for bent assemblies, base sub-assemblies, deck soffits, and hardware installation will be presented. The procedures presented will include timber construction methods and alignment techniques to install and level base and bent assemblies. Students will develop skills using sand jacks, transit levels, and rigging procedures to set corbels, beams, and posts. Related safety, math, and print reading will be covered in the training. Open Entry/Open Exit.
ACPD 026B Falsework B
- Prerequisite
- ACPD 021 (Orientation); ACPD 022 (Safety and Health)
As part two, this course continues the focus on box girder bridge falsework construction. The techniques for bent assemblies, base sub-assemblies, deck soffits, and hardware installation will be reviewed. During this part of the training, procedures will include setting and installation of deck soffit assemblies. Students will develop skills using layout and rigging procedures to set and secure cap beams, stringers and joists support. Related safety, math, and print reading will be covered in the training. Open Entry/Open Exit.
ACPD 027A Abutment A
- Prerequisite
- ACPD 021 (Orientation); ACPD 022 (Safety and Health)
This course provides students with the skills needed to layout abutment formwork and construction of footings to industry standards. A close look at assembly components will describe key terms and abutment anatomy. The importance of earth strata in the construction of footings, piers, and retaining walls will be covered. The techniques for laying out keyway centerline and footing formwork construction will be the main focus during this part of abutment training. Open Entry/Open Exit.
ACPD 027B Abutment B
- Prerequisite
- ACPD 021 (Orientation); ACPD 022 (Safety and Health)
This course provides students with the skills needed to layout, and to construct abutment wall panel formwork to industry standards. A close look at assembly components will describe key terms and abutment anatomy. The importance of earth strata in the construction of footings, piers, and retaining walls will be covered. The techniques for layout, and keyway, wing/headwall panel formwork construction will be the main focus during this part of abutment training. Open Entry/Open Exit.
ACPD 028A Bridge and Deck Forms A
- Prerequisite
- ACPD 021 (Orientation); ACPD 022 (Safety and Health)
This course provides students with an overview of basic bridge and deck construction. Descriptions for exterior and interior girders; edge forms; bulkheads; hinge and deck forms will be presented. Bridge and deck formwork projects will include bridge panel construction, assembly, and hardware attachment tasks. Related safety, math, and print reading will be covered in the training. Open Entry/Open Exit.
ACPD 028B Bridge and Deck Forms B
- Prerequisite
- ACPD 021 (Orientation) and ACPD 022 (Safety and Health)
This course provides students with an overview of basic bridge and deck construction. Descriptions for exterior and interior girders; edge forms; bulkheads; hinge and deck forms will be presented. Bridge and deck formwork projects will include bridge panel construction, assembly, and hardware attachment tasks. Related safety, math, and print reading will be covered in the training. Open Entry/Open Exit.
ACPD 029A Structural Welding-AWS A
- Prerequisite
- ACPD 021 (Orientation); ACPD 022 (Safety and Health)
This course is designed to be compliant with the American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 code requirements and provide workers with industry-recognized structural welding credentials. A careful examination of the applicable codes will include terminology, shielded metal arc welding processes (SMAW), equipment and safety requirement, electrode identification and applications, welding positions, and deposits. Practical experience will include symbol identification, print interpretation, code citation, safe equipment set-up and operation, and recognition/remediation of welding flaws. This course will focus on the written examination and production of practical test plates required for AWS D1.1 certification. Open Entry/Open Exit.
ACPD 029B Structural Welding-AWS B
- Prerequisite
- ACPD 021 (Orientation) and ACPD 022 (Safety and Health)
This course provides practical experience for structural welding skills used in commercial and industrial construction. Instruction will include a review of welding terminology, welding processes, welding equipment, and safety requirements. Key discussions will be used to identify electrode characteristics and metal inert gas/tungsten inert gas (MIG/TIG) welding applications. Practical experience will include safety procedures, proper equipment set-up and operation, electrode selection, fillet and groove weld formation in three positions, and recognition/remediation of welding flaws. This course will focus on developing the manipulative ability required for producing test plates acceptable for AWS D1.1 certification. Open Entry/Open Exit.
ACPD 030 Print Reading
- Prerequisite
- ACPD 021 (Orientation) and ACPD 022 (Safety and Health)
This course introduces print reading skills as a basic communication tool of the trades. The material covered will focus on developing the students' ability to interpret two-dimensional views in such a way to convey the shape and characteristics of construction elements, and provide an overview of the scope of the project. Students will be able to recognize standard drawing methods, pictorial views, and how to read visual and verbal communication cues. Students will develop skills through a series of exercises including identifying parts of drawings, locating the building, pier, and heavy highway features, calculating dimensions, and using views to determine construction methods. Open Entry/Open Exit.
ACPD 031A Welding Fabrication A
- Prerequisite
- ACPD 021 (Orientation); ACPD 022 (Safety and Health)
This course provides an introduction to fabrication skills using oxygen/acetylene torch and welding equipment. A review of torch cutting principles will cover parts identification, gas characteristics, torch accessories and tips, safe operating and inspection criteria, and manufacturer’s guidelines for use and care. Instruction will include inspection, torch set-up, criteria for interchanging of cutting tips and attachments, and identification of applicable symbols and codes. An emphasis will be placed on interpreting fabrication drawings, cutting stock materials, and torch heating and welding of parts. The importance of fire and shop safety, reading and monitoring of gages, and the importance of following project instructions will be stressed during cutting/welding fabrication exercises. Open Entry/Open Exit.
ACPD 031B Welding Fabrication B
- Prerequisite
- ACPD 021 (Orientation); ACPD 022 (Safety and Health)
This course provides an introduction to fabrication skills using oxygen/acetylene torch and arc welding equipment. A review of arc welding principles will cover equipment parts identification, gas characteristics, arc welding accessories, and electrodes, safe operating and inspection criteria, and manufacturer’s guidelines for use and care of the machinery. Instruction will include inspection, torch set-up, criteria for welding machine settings, applications for electrodes use, and identification of applicable symbols and codes. An emphasis will be placed on interpreting fabrication drawings, cutting stock materials, and torch heating and welding of parts. The importance of fire and shop safety, reading and monitoring of equipment gages and settings, and following project instructions will be stressed during welding fabrication exercises. Open Entry/Open Exit.