New Blueprint for Building Colorado’s Construction Workforce

Colorado faces two pressing challenges: the urgent need for more housing and the workers required to build it. BuildStrong Academy, backed by Oakwood Homes, is tackling both by training the next generation of skilled trades professionals. The Denver-based program offers a six-week construction boot camp where students learn safety, blueprint reading, tool use, and the fundamentals of the trade. Graduates earn a certificate and direct connections to employers ready to hire.

The program is designed for people of all ages and backgrounds, from those seeking a career change to individuals overcoming barriers such as unemployment or prior justice involvement. With an average participant age of 32, BuildStrong Academy has already seen success, in one year, 68 of 200 students secured jobs in construction. Students split time between classroom learning and hands-on training, supported by career coaches who provide interview prep and job placement assistance.

Looking ahead, BuildStrong Academy is preparing to move into a new facility at the Community College of Aurora, expanding student support and increasing accessibility through public transit. The Academy has also hired its first Spanish-speaking instructor and is exploring bilingual curriculum to serve Colorado’s growing immigrant population. As Amy Schwartz of Oakwood Homes explains, the program isn’t just about building careers, it’s about building futures: “Sometimes our students get a job, but it’s not in construction. It’s still a win because sometimes it’s important to figure out what you don’t want to do, too.”