Colorado Succeeds is helping align business and education to tackle one of Colorado’s biggest challenges: a shortage of more than 30,000 construction and skilled trades workers by 2030. Careers in Construction Colorado (CICC) is one of the major partners leading the way, building a pipeline that connects students to credentials, employers, and good jobs.
Operating in 91 high schools, CICC equips thousands of students each year with hands-on training, industry-recognized credentials, and direct connections to employers, placing nearly 600 students into construction jobs this year alone. Its unique Career Navigator model ensures students find meaningful, skilled trades career pathways and long-term success.
As a core partner in Project SCALE (Scaling Construction Access for Learners & Earners), CICC’s proven model is amplified through stronger data systems and statewide advocacy, shaping a talent pipeline that strengthens Colorado’s economy and future.
CICC: From Classroom to Career
Careers in Construction Colorado (CICC) was founded in 2015 and today is one of the biggest funnels for the state’s construction talent pipeline. CICC aims to give students real opportunities to learn skilled trades while they are still in high school by bringing hands-on, vocational construction education into high schools. Beginning in a single school a decade ago, the program is now in 91 schools statewide, making it a nationally recognized leader in career-connected learning.
Through CICC, students take construction courses using nationally recognized curriculum, earn industry certificates, and build real-world skills that prepare them for the workplace. For those who pursue a career in construction, CICC connects them directly with employers to secure high-wage jobs. For others, the program provides transferable skills—like problem-solving, teamwork, and safety training—that serve them well in any industry.
“The Careers in Construction class has taught me a lot about the tools I use along with their purposes and given me a view into the construction fields and a lot of first-hand experience in them. It has opened up opportunities for jobs in my area in construction and given me the knowledge I need to apply for them.”
– Carson, Junior at Florence JR/SR High School
Inside the CICC Model
Students enroll in courses teaching the Home Builders Institute Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (HBI PACT) curriculum. They learn core safety and job readiness skills and later take specialized courses across nine trades such as plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and more.
HBI PACT certificates and OSHA-10 safety training qualify for Colorado’s Career Development Incentive Program (CDIP), which grants school districts up to $1000 in funding for each student who completes a credential. HBI PACT is the most earned credential across the state.
By covering startup costs and connecting schools to CDIP funding, CICC lowers the barrier for schools to join, making it one of the most accessible and scalable training models in the state.
CICC brings industry into the classroom and students into the industry. The organization works with local trade associations and business groups to help fund schools, bring in employers as mentors and guest speakers, and directly connect students with employment opportunities. Last year, CICC programs had 322 guest speaker visits and offered 133 field trips or job shadow opportunities. Once students complete their core training and earn safety credentials, they can participate in internships, part-time jobs, or full-time positions with member companies, all while still in high school.
Each spring, CICC partners host career fairs and placement events where students connect to open opportunities in their communities, employers come ready to hire, and hundreds of graduates secure jobs each year.
“We have recently hired two participants that are enrolled in the program at a participating high school. These individuals are bringing skills from their program that are above entry level. Due to the training, skills, and safety this program provides, students can enter the work field earlier with the skills they need to develop a successful career.”
– Alexia Doyle, Independent Plumbing Solutions
One of CICC’s biggest differentiators is its Career Navigator model. Navigators build personal relationships with students and help them transition into meaningful careers in construction.
A 2024 pilot outreach to graduates confirmed the impact: CICC alumni working in construction reported higher wages, higher job satisfaction, and higher rates of full-time employment compared to peers in other industries.
From Pilot to Powerhouse: CICC Expanded to 91 Schools in 10 Years
What started as a single school in 2015 has grown into a statewide movement. Today, CICC operates in 91 high schools, reaching more than 4,600 students in the 2024-2025 school year alone. This year, nearly 600 students have been placed into construction jobs, and more than 3,000 industry-recognized certificates have been earned.
The program’s growth shows no sign of slowing. By 2028, CICC aims to:
- Have programs in 100 schools statewide
- Enroll 5,000 students annually
- Place at least 20% of certificate earners in construction careers
Tyler graduated from Coronado High School in 2024 after spending 4 years in the Careers in Construction program. During that time, he helped build a 1,200-square-foot modular home through the CICC Home Build Program and competed in regional and state-level SkillsUSA competitions. After graduation, Tyler was hired by Encore Electric, a Project SCALE partner.
Amplifying Impact Through Project SCALE
As the largest high school construction pipeline in the state, CICC is a critical part of Project SCALE. By sparking student interest, equipping them with credentials, and connecting them to employers, CICC fills the top of the funnel.
Project SCALE and Colorado Succeeds help amplify that impact by helping CICC track, analyze, and expand its value. Recently, Colorado Succeeds supported CICC in building stronger data and alumni tracking systems. With funding and technical support, CICC piloted a graduate outreach initiative, created new data collection protocols, and began analyzing wage and employment outcomes. These insights allow CICC to demonstrate long-term impact, refine its programs, and give students and families clearer information about what a career in construction can offer.
Project SCALE also elevates CICC’s efforts into statewide advocacy and data efforts, ensuring their successes inform broader system change. Colorado Succeeds has been a key policy advocate for the retention and expansion of the Career Development Incentive Program (CDIP), which helps schools cover startup costs and sustain credentialing pathways.
Building Colorado’s Future
“Thanks to CICC, I’ve connected with local employers and found opportunities that align perfectly with the skills I developed in class.”
– Reid, 2025 Graduate from Coronado High School
Colorado’s construction workforce challenge is big, but programs like CICC and Project SCALE show how we can meet it head-on. By introducing thousands of students to the skilled trades, equipping them with industry credentials, and connecting them directly to employers, CICC is proving that a strong talent pipeline is possible.
For students, that pipeline means real opportunities to build stable, rewarding careers. For employers, it means a new generation of skilled workers who graduate ready to step onto job sites. And for Colorado, it means stronger communities, more housing, and a thriving economy.
As CICC continues to grow and Project SCALE works to complement and scale those efforts statewide, it’s clear that everyone wins when industry and education come together.