Careers in Construction Colorado tells El Paso County commissioners program now in 91 schools, emphasizes job placement and local funding

Representatives of Careers in Construction Colorado (CICC) told the El Paso County Board of Commissioners that the program now operates in 91 high-school locations across Colorado and that local partnerships and a voluntary Building Futures Fund support training and placement for students in the Pikes Peak region.

George Hess, chairman of the local Careers in Construction committee, said the statewide network has issued “almost 10,000 certifications,” nearly 6,000 OSHA-10 certificates and has recorded 2,211 student hires since the program began. He described local activity in the Pikes Peak region as robust: “We have 21 Colorado Springs high school locations” and multiple schools that construct modular homes on site under industry supervision.

Renee Zentz, CICC chief executive, told commissioners that local support during the COVID-19 period kept classes running and allowed students to continue earning certifications. She said the program’s Building Futures Fund — supported by a voluntary checkoff when builders pull permits — has raised nearly $1 million to support the Pikes Peak region program. “This board has been our champion from the beginning,” Zentz said, thanking county leaders for earlier and ongoing support.

CICC described its three-part approach — educate, empower and employ — which pairs Home Builders Institute curriculum and industry guest speakers with job-shadowing, site tours and dedicated career navigators. Glenn Hart, the program’s director of recruitment and retention, said the curriculum is residential-construction based and exposes students to carpentry, plumbing, electrical and HVAC; after an introductory year students may earn certifications and elective high-school credit.

Commissioners praised the program’s workforce focus. Commissioner Wysong said vocational pathways are important because “not everyone is college bound.” Commissioner Applegate described trade careers as “something I could turn around and do for 20 years” and urged continued outreach to students. Vice Chair Williams highlighted connections between the junior livestock sale, local nonprofits and workforce development as an example of county partnerships supporting youth opportunities.

CICC supplied enrollment and outcome figures for the 2024–25 school year; presenters stated 1,132 students enrolled in the Pikes Peak region and noted the program reported employing more than 1,166 students locally (figures given by presenters). The presenters said the Pikes Peak region schools include seven that build houses on-site and that proceeds from home sales are rolled back into program funding.

Ending: Commissioners did not take formal action on the presentation; the board heard questions and expressed support for continued collaboration with CICC and local workforce partners.