Careers in Construction Colorado

Background Statement

History:

CICC gives local high school students pathways to success in the residential and commercial building trades using the Home Builders Institute’s curriculum. Students are able to earn US Department of Labor-recognized pre-apprenticeship certificates which are stackable, industry-accepted credentials. The curriculum is also recognized by the Colorado Department of Education as a credit-bearing Career Technical Education class. The program accelerated in the ability to grow to the current state due to the prior financial support from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

Organizational Goals and Objectives:

1. To offer instruction to students providing real-life skills and the opportunity to learn a building trade as well as the professional skills needed to obtain employment;

2. To demonstrate to students across the state of Colorado, – as well as their families, educators and community leaders – the depth and the breadth of the construction industry and value of learning a trade for career and educational opportunities;

3. To provide career pathways to employment via internships and apprenticeships leading to permanent employment for students who want careers in the industry;

4. To engage fellow businesses to support this valuable program that addresses the shortage of skilled tradespeople in Colorado, and will enable the construction industry to grow in the long run. Program goals are achieved by offering pre-apprenticeship training, teaching professional skills, developing student relationships and industry connections, and job placement.

Since the start of the program, the full CICC program has had 5,274 students take courses, Quantitatively, the number of students taking the program, the number of PACT and OSHA certificates earned, and the number of students placed into employment or internship will all be measured.

Current Industry and Student Need:

• Surveys nationally and locally have shown the labor shortage is the number one issue affecting the construction industry. Over the next decade, it is estimated that the Colorado Construction industry will grow by 15%.

• There are currently 175,000 individuals in the construction workforce in Colorado, and by 2027, the workforce needs to grow to 220,000 workers. Taking retirements into account, the industry needs to add 60,000 employees to the workforce within the next six years.

• Of the students that graduate from college, many come out carrying a debt load. In 2016 on average, a college graduate had $37,000 in debt. Many students who graduate from college are not equipped with the skills required in the economy.

• A National Skills Coalition study stated only 43% of the current labor force is suitable for the 53% of job openings that are “middle-skill” and require less than a four-year degree but more than a high school education.