Call Us Today! (859) 788-3818
Now Enrolling for the Fall 2025 Semester!
Lexington: 650 Kennedy Rd, Lexington, KY 40511
Our Backstory:
Many talented, skilled tradespeople were driven from the industry when the housing market took a dive along with the negative shift of the national economy. Today, consumers are finding themselves in a position to go forward with remodeling projects they put on hold, and homes are beginning to sell again. With the recent increase in demand for their services, Builders and Remodelers face an unfamiliar predicament – a substantial reduction in available skilled tradespeople to do the work. When the only qualified workers are tied up on someone else’s job, unwelcome delays in the building timeline occur. And, this creates an issue that is not good for anyone!
The Building Institute is approved by the State of Kentucky to license students in half the time as compared to not going to a trade school.
The Building Institute of Central KY is operated by the Building Industry Association of Central KY (BIA Central KY). The BIA of Central KY is the trade association for the building & construction industry in Central KY, with jurisdiction over 10 counties. Members of the BIA Central KY include home builders, remodelers, plumbers, electricians, HVAC service providers, realtors, insurance agencies, carpenters, industry vendors / suppliers, and more. For more details about the Building Industry Association of Central KY, please visit www.biacentralky.com.
Mission:
The mission of the Building Industry Association of Central KY Apprentice and Workforce Development Training Program (The Building Institute) is to educate those who wish to excel in the skilled trades related to the Residential and Commercial Construction Industry through rigorous academic and real world experiential opportunities; providing the construction industry in Central Kentucky with the most highly trained and highly skilled workforce possible.
Vision:
The vision for the Building Industry Association of Central KY Apprentice and Workforce Development Training Program (The Building Institute) is to become the primary provider of employable individuals who have attained a high degree of skill development within the trades associated with residential and commercial construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How old do I have to be to enroll in the Building Institute?
A: You can enroll at any age, however to be employed, you have to be 18, have a driver's license and reliable transportation.
Q: Where is the Building Institute located?
A: 650 Kennedy Road, Lexington, KY 40511. The school’s entrance is on the far / right side of the building. You will see Building Institute signs.
Q: When does school start?
A: There are TWO entry times. One is in September and the other is in January.
Q: What trades are instructed at the Building Institute?
A: Plumbing (1 year program), HVAC (1 year program), and Electrical (2 year program). For the Plumbing and HVAC programs, students attend Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 6pm – 9pm. For the Electrical program, students attend two evenings, 6pm – 9pm, per week.
Q: Is Federal Student Aid accepted?
A: We are a licensed trade school that is licensed based and as a result, students are not eligible for Federal Student Aid / Loans.
Q: Will my KHEEAS money apply for tuition?
A: YES, however, the student must be registered with the Kentucky Department of Labor as an Apprentice. The Building Institute will help with this process FOUR weeks after the semester starts. Typically, the funds are available FOUR weeks after completion of the form. The KHEEAS money will be delivered to the student’s residence.
Q:
Are there any tax deductions for enrolling in the Building Institute?
A: Unfortunately, the Building Institute does not provide any tax advice. Please contact your tax/accounting professional for more information.
Q: What is tuition and how do I pay?
A: The tuition amount depends on the student's TRADE SELECTION. The amounts are either $8,000 or $10,000 for the ENTIRE program. Tuition includes everything the student will need in the classroom and lab. If you pay the tuition upfront/in-full before the first day of the semester, a $700 discount will apply. The other option is to pay the required $2,000 enrollment fee, and then setup monthly payments to have the tuition paid off by the time of graduation.
Q: What are the hours of classes at the Building Institute?
A: Monday – Thursday, 6pm – 9pm
Q:
What is the attendance requirement?
A:
The State of Kentucky requires a minimum of 288 classroom hours for our programs. If you miss any day, you must make that time up.
Q: Will I be employed when I am enrolled in the Building Institute?
A: We are a trade school, not a job placement service. However, due to our close relationship with the building industry, we can provide a list of potentially hiring companies for students to call. This takes after enrollment and tuition payment. We have over a 95% job placement rate after the first semester for eligible students.
Q: Will I graduate with a Journeyman’s License?
A: The earliest you can file for your license is the day after graduation, however, most students need to complete the Kentucky mandated “On the Job Hours” or “OJT” per trade, which is either 12 or 24 months.
Q:
Will get paid while I am enrolled in the Building Institute?
A:
We are a trade school, not an employer, however, once employed by a trade company, you will be receiving a paycheck. Typical students work 40+ hours per week. The wage is negotiated between the student and the employer.
Q: Are online classes available?
A: NO. Our instructors are either Master Licensed, Company Owners, or Journeyman Licensed. Qualified individuals are hired to provide “hands on training” in our labs. Unfortunately, online classes are not available.
Q: When I’m ready to enroll in the Building Institute, what happens?
A: Please contact us and we will meet in person to make sure the Building Institute meets your needs. Next, an enrollment contract will be emailed to you for your review, electronic signature and payment information. Once the enrollment contract is returned to the Building Institute, the Accounting Department will process your enrollment fee and set up a monthly payment plan. The payment plan will be calculated for you to be paid IN FULL by the time of graduation. If you desire to pay in full anytime before the first day of school a settlement amount will be calculated with the discount applied. THE ENROLLMENT CONTRACT IS LEGALLY BINDING.
Q: What happens if I decide to quit the Building Institute before completing program?
A: The enrollment contract that you completed at the time of enrollment is legally binding. If you paid in-full, the tuition is NOT REFUNDABLE. If you still owe the Building Institute tuition, you are obligated to pay the balance.
Q: Can I enroll in the Building Institute without a High School Diploma or G.E.D.?
A: Yes, however, you must be able to read, write and understand basic math.
Q: How much can I expect to earn once I get my Journeyman’s License?
A: Great question! Please research the trade in Kentucky for yourself. The answer is easy to find in an online search!
Q: What do I need to bring with me on the first day of class?
A: A positive attitude! Everything else is included in the tuition. All books, writing material, etc. is included and provided.
Q: What is the dress code?
A: We recommend belted long pants, comfortable non-baggy shirt, and closed-toe shoes.
Q: Do students receive “hands-on” learning?
A:
Yes, in addition to classroom time, students have time with their instructors in the Building Institute’s Labs. Plumbing and HVAC students will receive more lab time than Electrical students.
Q: What is the Building Institute’s semester schedule?
A: Typically, the school runs for FIVE continuous weeks and then takes a ONE week break, then FIVE more continuous weeks and then a ONE week break. Then, after TWO to THREE weeks, the semester ends. However, that applies to the Building Institute only, you will be working in your trade during this time.
Q: As a student, is the Building Institute my employer?
A: NO. The Building Institute will provide a list of potentially hiring companies upon enrollment and tuition payment.
Q: How will I know if class is cancelled due to inclement weather?
A: Announcements will be made that include the date(s) of cancellation on the Building Institute of Central KY's Facebook page. Click here for a link.