Emily Griffith Technical College Launches Construction Leadership Program with Employer Input
Emily Griffith Technical College has officially launched the Project SCALE High Potential Leadership Program, a new employer-designed initiative aimed at preparing experienced construction professionals for advancement into frontline supervisory and project leadership roles. The program represents a collaborative effort between industry employers and education providers to address growing workforce needs in Colorado’s construction sector.
The initiative was developed through the Project SCALE Construction Collaborative, an employer-led workforce development partnership co-hosted by the Associated General Contractors of Colorado and Colorado Succeeds. The program has been shaped with direct input and leadership from both union and non-union construction employers, ensuring that its curriculum reflects real-world jobsite requirements and evolving industry expectations.
At its core, the Project SCALE High Potential Leadership Program is designed to bridge the gap between skilled craft work and leadership responsibilities. It provides experienced construction professionals with the tools and knowledge required to step into supervisory roles where they are responsible for managing crews, coordinating schedules, overseeing budgets, and ensuring effective communication across active construction projects.
The inaugural cohort for the program has already been filled, with 50 participants nominated directly by employer partners. This employer-driven selection process ensures that the program targets high-potential workers who are already established in the industry and are ready to take the next step in their careers.
Delivered through Emily Griffith Technical College, Denver’s public technical college, the program is specifically designed for working adults in the construction industry. To accommodate participants’ schedules, the program is delivered fully online in the evenings, allowing students to continue working while developing new leadership skills.
The program spans 11 months and leads to a 15-credit leadership certificate. Importantly, the initiative is offered at no cost to participants. This is made possible through a combination of employer contributions, philanthropic funding, and institutional support from the college. By removing financial barriers, the program aims to ensure broader access to career advancement opportunities within the construction workforce.
The curriculum has been carefully developed based on input from construction employers who identified key skill gaps in emerging leaders. Coursework focuses on high-demand areas such as project management, construction scheduling, cost control, site supervision, and vendor and stakeholder communication. These competencies are essential for workers transitioning from hands-on craft roles to leadership positions on complex construction projects.
In addition to technical and managerial training, the program also emphasizes communication and decision-making skills, which are critical for effective leadership on construction sites. Participants are trained to handle real-world challenges such as coordinating multiple subcontractors, managing timelines, and ensuring safety and compliance standards are met across projects.
A key feature of the Project SCALE initiative is its integration with broader education and workforce development pathways in Colorado. Supported by 2025 state legislation, certain registered apprenticeship programs can now be translated into college credit. This creates a more flexible and connected system that allows workers to progress from apprenticeship training into formal education programs.
For some participants, the leadership certificate earned through this program can be applied toward the completion of an Associate Degree in Construction. This creates a “stackable” education model that supports continuous learning and career advancement, allowing workers to move from apprenticeship roles into leadership positions and further academic achievement over time.
Industry leaders have emphasized the importance of employer involvement in shaping workforce development programs. Scott Laband, President and CEO of Colorado Succeeds, highlighted the significance of the collaborative model behind Project SCALE. He noted that the program demonstrates what can be achieved when employers take an active role in co-designing training solutions alongside educational institutions.
Laband emphasized that the partnership between employers, Emily Griffith Technical College, and industry stakeholders such as Loenbro and other Project SCALE partners is helping to create a structured and scalable pathway from jobsite experience to leadership roles. This model is designed to strengthen both individual career opportunities and the overall talent pipeline within Colorado’s construction industry.
The SCALE High Potential Leadership Program represents a shift toward employer-led workforce development strategies that are closely aligned with industry needs. By directly involving construction companies in curriculum design and participant selection, the program ensures that training outcomes are practical, relevant, and immediately applicable in the field.
As the construction industry continues to face labor shortages and increasing demand for skilled leadership, programs like Project SCALE are expected to play a critical role in building a stronger, more sustainable workforce. The integration of education, apprenticeship pathways, and employer engagement provides a comprehensive approach to workforce development that supports long-term industry growth.
The launch of the program also highlights the growing importance of partnerships between educational institutions and private industry in addressing workforce challenges. By aligning academic programs with real-world job requirements, institutions like Emily Griffith Technical College are helping to ensure that workers are equipped with the skills needed to succeed in evolving construction environments.
Overall, the Project SCALE High Potential Leadership Program introduces a new model for construction workforce development in Colorado. It connects apprenticeship training, leadership education, and degree pathways into a unified system that supports career advancement and strengthens the talent pipeline for the construction industry.
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