Construction / Contractor Academy   

Through a combination of in-person and virtual sessions, participants will explore topics such as project costing, contracts, risk management, business development, and leadership strategies. The experience includes interactive workshops, expert panels, and personalized one-on-one coaching sessions, culminating in a celebratory graduation.

This course introduces key finance and accounting principles for contractors beginning or considering management roles. Participants will explore accounts payable, receivable, banking, and tax concepts. You’ll also examine how budgeting and forecasting function in construction, and learn the steps involved in business planning. Taught by an experienced instructor, the course connects financial concepts directly to the realities of construction operations. It’s designed to support confident, informed decision-making within construction business environments.

Skills You'll Gain:

• Understand construction accounting basics

• Navigate budgeting and forecasting concepts

• Identify banking and tax considerations

• Apply planning steps to construction

• Improve financial decision-making skills

What to Expect:

• Live, instructor-led class held remotely via Zoom

• 4-hour session with examples from construction finance

• Real-time walkthroughs of budgeting, banking, and planning tools

• Designed for contractors moving into management roles

This course helps construction managers build essential skills in cost estimating, bidding, and financial risk management. Participants will explore strategies for assessing risk, reviewing certified payroll, interpreting contracts, and tracking costs across schedules and design documents. The course also covers change orders, payment applications, lien rights, and forecasting with business planning tools.

Skills You'll Gain:

• Accurate cost estimating and bidding

• Managing risk in project budgeting

• Interpreting contracts and payroll impacts

• Applying payment and lien strategies

• Business planning and forecasting methods

What to Expect:

• Live, instructor-led class held remotely via Zoom

• 4-hour training session with scheduled breaks throughout

• Step-by-step walkthroughs of cost-related project documents

• Collaborative learning with peer and instructor engagement throughout

Designed for those entering or transitioning into management roles, this course introduces the fundamentals of project contracts and subcontracts. Participants will explore key legal language, subcontractor considerations, and strategies for effective negotiation and communication. The course encourages collaborative learning through discussion with peers and an experienced instructor. Delivered remotely, it allows you to participate from home or office.

Skills You'll Gain:

• Understand basic contract language

• Identify subcontractor negotiation techniques

• Recognize key subcontract considerations

• Communicate contract details effectively

• Participate in collaborative discussion

What to Expect:

• Live, instructor-led class delivered remotely via Zoom

• 4-hour session covering contract and subcontract workflows

• Collaborative exercises on communication and negotiation tactics

• Designed for contractors transitioning into management roles

This course is for management employees exploring how to strategically manage project costs using bonding, certifications, and government contracts. You’ll learn how work code systems support public contracts, the value of certifications, and ways to build construction networks. The course also covers workforce development, communication, documentation, and bonding options.

Skills You'll Gain:

• Understand public contracting work codes

• Evaluate bonding options and benefits

• Justify business certifications strategically

• Build professional industry networks

• Strengthen communication and documentation

What to Expect:

• Live, instructor-led class held via Zoom

• Single 4-hour session focused on construction business processes

• Interactive activities with fellow construction professionals

• Real-time Q&A opportunities with an experienced instructor

This course introduces essential project management principles tailored to the construction industry, with a focus on real-world application and business impact. Participants will explore key concepts in scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, and team coordination—while applying these tools directly to their own business or role. Whether you're a field technician looking to grow into a supervisory role or a small business owner seeking better control over operations, this course will help you build a foundation for successful project execution and long-term business growth.

Skills You'll Gain:

• Develop and manage project schedules and timelines

• Apply budgeting and cost control techniques

• Strengthen leadership and communication skills

• Coordinate teams and subcontractors effectively

• Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies

What to Expect:

• Live, instructor-led sessions via Zoom

• Hands-on activities and tools you can apply immediately

• Peer discussions focused on real-world construction challenges

• Instructor support for building a personalized project plan

This one-day course introduces foundational business concepts tailored to construction professionals. Participants will explore market analysis, branding, the sales cycle, and how to develop effective bids and proposals. Designed for new professionals or those moving into leadership, the course uses interactive activities and real-world insights to support strategic business growth. Offered through Front Range Community College’s Contractor Academy, it helps contractors strengthen their presence in a competitive market and communicate their value clearly.

Skills You'll Gain:

• Market analysis for construction businesses

• Branding strategies and positioning techniques

• Writing effective bids and proposals

• Understanding the sales cycle in contracting

• Tools to support long-term business growth

What to Expect:

• One-day, live instructor-led training

• Practical exercises using real-world business scenarios

• Interactive sessions on branding and sales strategy

• Tailored content for contractors and field leaders

This introductory Excel course is customized for contractors and construction professionals. You’ll learn how to create spreadsheets for job cost tracking, build reusable templates, and organize project-related data efficiently. Designed with real-world examples, this 4-hour course focuses on practical Excel tools directly relevant to the construction industry. Whether managing small projects or supporting larger teams, you’ll leave with usable documents and skills that improve your workday. The training emphasizes only the Excel functions that apply directly to construction workflows and tasks.

Skills You'll Gain:

• Excel navigation
• Basic calculations and formulas
• Worksheet formatting and layout
• Visualizing data with charts
• Time-saving Excel shortcuts
   

This intermediate course helps contractors advance their Excel skills to manage and analyze project data. Tailored to construction needs, it covers functions, working with lists, data analysis, charts, logical lookups, and working with texts and dates. The hands-on training supports contractors who already know Excel basics and want to sharpen their ability to handle complex tasks. Whether you're analyzing budgets or streamlining project data, this course provides useful tools to enhance efficiency, clarity, and accuracy in construction work.

Skills You'll Gain:

• Analyze project data effectively
• Use logical lookup functions
• Work with lists in Excel
• Format and organize text data
• Create and customize charts

Designed for contractors with little or no blueprint experience, this course teaches the core skills required to read and interpret construction blueprints. Participants will gain a solid foundation in blueprint symbols, construction drawings, and project specifications. Through theoretical lessons and practical exercises, students build the confidence and knowledge needed to navigate blueprints effectively.  

Skills You'll Gain:

• Interpret blueprint symbols accurately
• Understand construction drawing formats
• Read and apply specifications
• Navigate blueprints with confidence
• Use hands-on blueprint exercises

Designed for contractors with little or no blueprint experience, this course teaches the core skills required to read and interpret construction blueprints. Participants will gain a solid foundation in blueprint symbols, construction drawings, and project specifications. Through theoretical lessons and practical exercises, students build the confidence and knowledge needed to navigate blueprints effectively.  

Skills You'll Gain:

• Interpret blueprint symbols accurately
• Understand construction drawing formats
• Read and apply specifications
• Navigate blueprints with confidence
• Use hands-on blueprint exercises

Designed for contractors with little or no blueprint experience, this course teaches the core skills required to read and interpret construction blueprints. Participants will gain a solid foundation in blueprint symbols, construction drawings, and project specifications. Through theoretical lessons and practical exercises, students build the confidence and knowledge needed to navigate blueprints effectively.  

Skills You'll Gain:

• Interpret blueprint symbols accurately
• Understand construction drawing formats
• Read and apply specifications
• Navigate blueprints with confidence
• Use hands-on blueprint exercises

This intermediate-level course is for contractors with foundational blueprint reading experience who want to strengthen their interpretative skills. It focuses on more advanced blueprint and specification concepts, excluding specialized topics like MEP plans. Participants will prepare to take on more complex construction projects while improving clarity and precision in blueprint interpretation. Additional resources are offered for continued learning. 

Skills You'll Gain:

• Advanced blueprint interpretation techniques
• Read complex construction specifications
• Identify elements beyond basic plans
• Prepare for advanced project demands
• Apply intermediate blueprint knowledge

This intermediate-level course is for contractors with foundational blueprint reading experience who want to strengthen their interpretative skills. It focuses on more advanced blueprint and specification concepts, excluding specialized topics like MEP plans. Participants will prepare to take on more complex construction projects while improving clarity and precision in blueprint interpretation. Additional resources are offered for continued learning. 

Skills You'll Gain:

• Advanced blueprint interpretation techniques
• Read complex construction specifications
• Identify elements beyond basic plans
• Prepare for advanced project demands
• Apply intermediate blueprint knowledge

This intermediate-level course is for contractors with foundational blueprint reading experience who want to strengthen their interpretative skills. It focuses on more advanced blueprint and specification concepts, excluding specialized topics like MEP plans. Participants will prepare to take on more complex construction projects while improving clarity and precision in blueprint interpretation. Additional resources are offered for continued learning. 

Skills You'll Gain:

• Advanced blueprint interpretation techniques
• Read complex construction specifications
• Identify elements beyond basic plans
• Prepare for advanced project demands
• Apply intermediate blueprint knowledge