Carolinas, August 13, 2025
News Summary
The Carolinas Associated General Contractors (CAGC) has committed $5.5 million across a Construction Bootcamp and a Construction Business Academy to boost workforce capacity and small-business growth. The bootcamp partners with community colleges to accelerate training in trades such as plumbing, electrical and carpentry, producing apprenticeship and internship placements. The business academy has supported 100+ firms—many minority- and women-owned—with free training, planning and capital access, reporting an average 53% revenue lift and $2.15M in new project revenue. A Young Leader Program has trained 335+ professionals in tech, sustainability and digital construction methods to build a scalable talent pipeline.
CAGC Directs $5.5 Million Into Training and Small‑Business Programs; Trains 335+ Young Leaders, Helps 100+ Firms Grow Ahead of $1.2T Infrastructure Wave
$5.5 million in targeted funding is being used to expand workforce training and business support across the Carolinas construction sector. The funding backs two major efforts: a $2.5 million Construction Bootcamp that partners with community colleges and a $3 million Construction Business Academy. Together, these programs have trained more than 335 young professionals and assisted over 100 small firms, which report an average revenue increase of 53% and generated about $2.15 million in new project revenue after participation.
What the funding supports
The state grant portion of the funding is directed at a Construction Bootcamp that accelerates trade skills including plumbing, electrical, and carpentry through community college partnerships. Its first cohort produced graduates who moved into apprenticeships and internships, creating immediate pathways from training to paid work.
The Construction Business Academy, backed by the remaining $3 million, focuses on business side support for minority, women, and disadvantaged owners. The Academy provides free business training, strategic planning help, and access to capital, with more than 100 small businesses reporting stronger revenue and new project wins after taking part.
Youth leadership and innovation
A separate, ongoing Young Leader Program enrolls over 335 participants under age 45. The program concentrates on technology, sustainability, and workforce innovation and gives younger professionals discounted entry to major industry events and mentorship from experienced veterans. Training emphasizes practical skills such as lean methods and the use of digital tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM), and it highlights likely uses of AI-driven project management and modular construction techniques among rising leaders.
Measured outcomes and scalability
Program results show measurable outcomes: Bootcamp graduates securing apprenticeships and internships; business academy participants increasing revenue by an average of 53%; and participating firms winning a combined $2.15 million in new project revenue. Those outcomes are presented as evidence that the models can scale to meet wider workforce and small-business needs in the region.
Why this matters now
National policy and market signals frame the timing. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) allocates about $1.2 trillion for infrastructure over eight years, creating demand for labor, project management, and supply chains. At the same time, the S&P Construction Index has shown consistent gains over five years, reflecting sustained demand in infrastructure, residential, and commercial projects. Program leaders argue these trends mean the Carolinas’ construction ecosystem is moving toward a period of expanded activity.
Investor and project implications
Workforce development and small-business capacity are described as reducing common project problems such as delays and cost overruns. The programs’ emphasis on technology adoption and efficient methods is presented as a way to improve operational margins. From an investment perspective, two linked advantages are noted: lower project risk through stronger human capital and improved margins through innovation adoption. These points are framed as reasons for investors and public agencies to pay attention to local talent and business pipelines.
Technology, sustainability, and inclusion
Program curricula and support touch on environmental and social goals, including ESG-aligned initiatives and sustainability mandates. Young leaders are being trained to navigate regulatory shifts and to use digital tools like BIM. The combination of inclusion—support for minority, women, and disadvantaged business owners—and tech adoption is presented as a factor that can expand market reach and improve sector resilience.
Bottom line
The combined $5.5 million investment supports fast-track trade training and business growth programs that already show early results. Those results—apprenticeships and internships, revenue gains, and new project awards—are presented as a practical blueprint for addressing labor shortages and for positioning the region’s construction industry to participate in a large national infrastructure spending cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What programs are funded by the $5.5 million?
The funding is split between a $2.5 million Construction Bootcamp that partners with community colleges to teach trades and a $3 million Construction Business Academy that provides free business training and capital access to small firms, with emphasis on minority, women, and disadvantaged owners.
How many people have gone through the leadership programs?
More than 335 young professionals under 45 are enrolled in youth leadership programs that focus on technology, sustainability, and workforce innovation.
What measurable results have the programs produced?
Outcomes include graduates entering apprenticeships and internships, more than 100 small businesses reporting an average revenue increase of 53%, and about $2.15 million in new project revenue attributable to the Business Academy’s support.
How do these programs connect to larger infrastructure spending?
The programs align with national infrastructure priorities such as the IIJA, which plans roughly $1.2 trillion in infrastructure investment over eight years. Training and business support aim to prepare workers and firms to compete for that work.
What technologies and methods are emphasized?
Training and leadership content emphasize lean construction methods, digital tools like BIM, and likely adoption of AI-driven project management and modular construction techniques.
Who benefits from the Construction Business Academy?
The Academy targets small business owners, especially minority, women, and disadvantaged owners, offering free training, strategic planning, and access to capital.
Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Funding | $5.5 million (Bootcamp $2.5M + Business Academy $3M) |
| Workforce Training | Construction Bootcamp with community college partnerships; trades training in plumbing, electrical, carpentry |
| Youth Leadership | Young Leader Program with 335+ participants under age 45, tech and sustainability focus |
| Small Business Support | Construction Business Academy—free business training, strategic planning, access to capital; 100+ firms helped |
| Measured Impact | Average 53% revenue increase for participating small businesses; $2.15M in new project revenue |
| Technology Emphasis | BIM, lean methods, likely AI-driven project management, modular construction |
| Policy Context | Aligns with IIJA and broader market demand; references $1.2T infrastructure allocation |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- AInvest: Emerging Leadership in the Construction Sector — Carolinas
- Wikipedia: Construction industry in the United States
- The Malaysian Reserve: Carolinas AGC responds to national workforce shortage
- Google Search: Carolinas AGC Construction Bootcamp Business Academy
- Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America
- Google Scholar: construction workforce development apprenticeship
- North Carolina Community College System
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Apprenticeship (search)
- Construction Dive (industry news)
- Google News: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Carolinas
Author: Construction TX News
TEXAS STAFF WRITER The TEXAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructiontxnews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Texas and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Texas Construction Expo, major infrastructure unveilings, and advancements in construction technology showcases. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Associated General Contractors of Texas and the Texas Building Branch, plus leading businesses in construction and real estate that power the local economy such as Austin Commercial and CMiC Global. As part of the broader network, including constructioncanews.com, constructionnynews.com, and constructionflnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic construction landscape across multiple states.
