Quick Facts

• Location: Sterling Heights, Michigan
• Address: 36250 Van Dyke Ave, Sterling Heights, MI 48312
• School Type: Private Construction Trade & Apprenticeship Training School
• Programs Offered: Electrical, HVACR, Carpentry, Welding and Introduction to Construction Trades
• Training Style: Hands-on shop instruction combined with classroom learning and an earn-while-you-learn model
• Tuition Range: $2,700 for first semester; $2,100 per semester afterward for most 2026 programs
• Program Length: Electrical 4 years; HVACR 2 or 4 years; Carpentry 1 year; Welding 1 semester; Intro to Construction 1 semester
• Online Programs Available: No fully online core trade program prominently advertised
• Hybrid Learning: No — core programs emphasize in-person instruction
• Financial Aid: ABC member discounts may apply; traditional federal aid is not prominently advertised
• Class Options: Evening classes, generally Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday, 6:30–9:00 p.m.
• Accreditation/Recognition: NCCER-accredited training provider
• Average Rating: ⭐ 4.1 (16 Reviews)
• Website: Official website

Overview

Southeast Michigan Construction Academy, commonly called SEMCA, is a construction-focused training school with campuses in Sterling Heights and Westland. Its flagship Sterling Heights facility provides hands-on instruction in electrical, HVACR, carpentry and welding, along with a short introductory construction program. SEMCA says it was created more than 30 years ago to help recruit and train workers for the construction industry.

The school follows an earn-while-you-learn model: students can work in their trade during the day and attend classes at night. Training is built around practical shop work with instructors who have industry experience, making SEMCA particularly relevant for working adults and apprentices.

Programs Offered

Electrical

SEMCA’s Electrical program is a four-year pathway covering residential, commercial and industrial electrical systems. Current coursework includes:

• Electrical safety and theory
• National Electrical Code fundamentals
• Residential services
• Conduit bending
• Motors and controls
• Grounding and bonding
• Transformers
• Commercial electrical services
• Fire alarm systems
• Emergency and standby systems
• HVAC controls
• Medium-voltage terminations and splices

The current 2026–27 school year runs from August 31, 2026 through May 13, 2027, with evening classes Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday from 6:30–9 p.m.

SEMCA states that after completing the required coursework and on-the-job experience, qualifying apprentices may become eligible for Michigan’s journey-level electrical examination. Completing classes alone does not automatically grant an electrical license.

HVACR

Students can choose a two- or four-year HVACR pathway, depending on career goals and employer direction. After the second year, students may stop or continue through Levels 3 and 4.

Training covers:

• Heating and cooling fundamentals
• Electricity
• Refrigerants
• Soldering and brazing
• Heat pumps
• Compressors
• Leak detection and recovery
• Troubleshooting
• Hydronic and steam systems
• Commercial refrigeration
• Building-management systems
• HVAC design and system balancing

Carpentry

The Carpentry program lasts one year and trains students in:

• OSHA 10
• Hand and power tools
• Construction materials
• Plans and documents
• Site layout
• Floor systems
• Wall systems
• Roof framing
• Stair layout
• Building-envelope systems

Welding

SEMCA’s introductory Welding program is a one-semester course. The Fall 2026 class runs August 31 through December 14, with evening classes twice weekly.

Training includes:

• Welding safety
• Oxyfuel cutting
• Plasma cutting
• Metal preparation
• Weld-quality fundamentals
• Equipment setup
• Introductory SMAW / stick welding

Introduction to Construction Trades

Students who are unsure which trade to pursue can take the one-semester introductory course. It covers safety, construction math, hand and power tools, drawings, materials handling and exposure to careers including plumbing, HVAC and concrete. The current Fall 2026 course runs August 31–December 14, 2026.

Tuition & Financial Aid

SEMCA currently publishes Fall 2026 tuition as:

• Electrical Year 1 Semester 1 — $2,700
• Electrical remaining semesters — $2,100 each
• HVACR Year 1 Semester 1 — $2,700
• HVACR remaining semesters — $2,100 each
• Carpentry Semester 1 — $2,700
• Carpentry Semester 2 — $2,100
• Welding — $2,700
• Introduction to Construction — $2,700

That puts the published four-year electrical classroom tuition at roughly $17,400 before any discounts or additional expenses, assuming the current semester pricing remained unchanged across all four years. Actual future-year rates can change.

ABC member discounts may apply. SEMCA does not prominently market Pell Grants or traditional FAFSA-based aid, so students should verify financing and employer sponsorship options directly.

Why Students Choose This School

• Strong focus on construction trades
• Four-year electrical pathway
• Two- or four-year HVACR option
• Evening scheduling for working students
• Hands-on shop instruction
• Earn-while-you-learn structure
• NCCER-aligned training
• Relatively transparent tuition
• Career-placement assistance

Career Opportunities

Students may prepare for roles such as:

• Electrician Apprentice
• HVAC Installer
• HVAC Service Technician
• Carpenter
• Construction Worker
• Welder/Fabricator
• Building Maintenance Technician

Licensed trades still require the applicable state experience, examination or licensing steps.

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied listing data:

⭐ Average Rating: 4.1 (16 Reviews)

The review sample is fairly small, so prospective students should also visit the Sterling Heights shop and speak with current students or employers.

Enrollment Tips

As of August 31, 2026, SEMCA says Fall applications are closed for most trades except Carpentry, with Winter 2027 applications expected to open later in the fall.

Electrical and HVAC students should also ask whether an employer will sponsor or reimburse tuition and how classroom hours coordinate with their required on-the-job experience.

Bottom Line

Southeast Michigan Construction Academy is a strong Michigan option for students who want electrical, HVACR, carpentry or welding training while continuing to work. Its biggest advantages are evening scheduling, hands-on instruction and an apprenticeship-oriented structure. The four-year electrical and HVAC pathways are much more comprehensive than short introductory trade courses, while welding and construction-introduction programs provide faster entry points.