Since launching in September 2019, Build California has reached more than 7.5 million students, parents, teachers, influencers and job-seekers across the state through its robust mix of outreach and programmatic efforts, educating them on the incredible career opportunities available in the construction industry.
We have tallied over 55,000 engagements (likes, shares, or comments) with online content, and drawn over 31,000 visitors to Build California’s website. To our partners, supporters and friends, thank you for engaging with us and continuing to help spread the word. None of this is possible without you.
Capitalizing on this success, AGC of California (AGC) and AGC Construction Education Foundation (CEF) are proud to announce the launch of a new online learning platform to prepare the next generation of construction professionals for the next step in their construction careers: Build California e-cademy
Introducing Build California e-cademy
Build California e-cademy is an online playground for the next generation of construction talent, aged 12 to 24 years-old. Young people who utilize the platform will get to explore and learn about construction through interactive, dynamic, and immersive lessons and virtual experiences! This online platform will offer users the opportunity to learn about the industry from experts – like AGC members – via courses tailored to their interests and preferences, all while providing career counseling and mentorship. From virtual, open enrollment classes and courses to certificate programs, Build California e-cademy offers something for all students – and the industry at large.
Preparing Career-Ready Learners
Recognizing the need to cultivate and sustain student interest in construction careers and develop students into new professionals who not only understand the industry but have what it takes to succeed, Build California e-cademy developed two pathways of instruction.
“Explore and Learn” Pathway
Students can interactively learn about the fun aspects of construction with this pathway. It features curriculum on topics such as robots in construction, woodshop, technology in construction and of course, an introduction to Build California. This pathway will help cultivate and sustain student interest in construction careers from their early years through high school until they qualify for a pre-apprenticeship/apprenticeship programs.
“Construction Ready Certificate” Pathway
This track serves as a first entry point on a construction career pathway and as a feeder into pre-apprenticeship/ apprenticeship programs and/or college programming. The certificate is comprised of four one-hour courses developed in partnership with AGC members and union representatives, including: introduction to skilled trades, introduction to apprenticeships, get jobsite ready, and introduction to construction management. Once completed, participants receive a certificate recognized by unions, apprenticeship programs and member firms as an indication that the student has done their research and is seriously interested in taking the next step in their construction career. This certificate is designed to serve as a way to increase readiness and knowledge as young people take the next step. After completion, participants will receive a 30-to-60-minute career coaching session with a Build California staff member who can help connect the student to partner organizations, apprenticeship opportunities, member firms or schools, depending on their desired pathway.
This curriculum was created with the help of a committee consisting of labor and management partners, including: A-C Electric Company, Carpenters Training Committee for Northern California, Flatiron Construction Corporation, Laborers Southern California Joint Apprenticeship Committee, Northern California Laborers Training Center, Royal Electric Company, and Southern California Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee
Measuring the Impact
Build California’s e-cademy will have the ability to measure impact over time, tracking how many students who received a certificate enter a pre-apprenticeship program or go work for AGC member companies. This learning management system will allow AGC CEF to study the impact of Build California and pivot as needed to create a steady workforce pipeline.
Get in Front of Eager Young People via Build California e-cademy
Starting today, you can leverage this new platform to get in front of excited and eager young people in a new way to help you build your best team! We are looking for passionate, knowledgeable industry experts to serve as instructors. As an instructor, you can help students looking to learn and break into the industry become pre-apprenticeship ready by hosting virtual, open enrollment classes and courses designed to excite and educate California’s 12-24-year-old’s about construction professions and the skilled trades.
Courses to be offered include:
- One-hour Explore & Learn Classes – Topics could include Virtual Reality in Construction, Robots in Construction, Girls Build California, Drones in Construction, Technology in Construction, Woodshop.
- Four-week Custom Certificate Courses – These courses help students identify a skilled trade they are interested in and lay out the steps to find an apprenticeship that meets their interests, skills, and needs. Courses could include Intro to Skilled Trades, Intro to Apprenticeships, Get Jobsite Ready, Intro to Construction Management.
Are you interested in learning more about the Build California e-cademy and/or becoming an instructor?
Contact Abigail Palomares at palomaresa@agc-ca.org. Visit buildcalifornia.com/learn/ to explore classes now.
