Emily Griffith Technical College Launches Employer-Designed Leadership Program for Construction Professionals

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Emily Griffith Technical College launched the Project SCALE High Potential Leadership Program, a new employer-designed initiative that prepares experienced construction professionals to move into frontline and project leadership roles.

The program was developed through the Project SCALE Construction Collaborative, an employer-led construction workforce collaborative co‑hosted by the Associated General Contractors of Colorado and Colorado Succeeds, with direct leadership and participation from numerous union and non-union construction employers. The program equips skilled craft professionals with practical leadership skills needed to manage crews, budgets, schedules, and communication on active construction jobsites. The inaugural cohort is filled, with 50 participants nominated by employer partners.

The program is offered through Emily Griffith Technical College, Denver’s public technical college serving the region’s workforce. Built for working adults, the 11-month program is delivered fully remotely in the evenings and leads to a 15-credit leadership certificate. Employer investment, philanthropic support, and college funding allow the program to be offered at no cost to participants.

Coursework focuses on high-demand skills identified by construction employers, including project management, scheduling, cost management, supervision, and vendor communication.

The program also connects to a broader education pathway enabled by 2025 Colorado legislation, which allows certain registered apprenticeships to translate into college credit. For some participants, the leadership certificate can complete the requirements for an Associate Degree in Construction, creating a stackable pathway from apprenticeship to leadership and continued education.

“This program shows what’s possible when employers take the lead in co-designing talent solutions,” said Scott Laband, president and CEO of Colorado Succeeds. “Together with Emily Griffith Technical College, Loenbro and our Project SCALE partners—we are building a clear, scalable pathway from the jobsite to leadership, connecting education and industry to expand opportunity for workers and strengthen Colorado’s talent system.”

The SCALE High Potential Leadership Program introduces a new employer-led model for developing construction leaders in Colorado. As the first cohort begins, the program introduces a new model for construction workforce development—one that links apprenticeship, leadership training, and degree attainment into a clear, employer-driven pathway for advancement in Colorado’s construction industry.

About Loenbro

Loenbro is a trusted, long-term construction lifecycle partner to thousands of customers across the U.S. Our service offerings include Critical Electrical, Mechanical & Structural, Soft Crafts, Inspection, Underground Maintenance and Installation, and Fabrication and our vertical market focus spans all industries.

Our expertise lies in simplifying the complex, so that our clients gain clarity & control in construction and maintenance. We do this by taking full ownership on every interaction, delivering multi-scope project excellence, and establishing long-standing relationships with our partners as we enhance and maintain your critical infrastructure.

We have a national presence but a local approach—so that every customer benefits from our capabilities and our care. Through their relationship with us and the One Loenbro model, our customers are able to simplify, control, and succeed in the everyday. Learn more at Loenbro.com or contact us at 844.LOENBRO.

About Emily Griffith Technical College

Emily Griffith Technical College is the public, postsecondary and adult education arm of Denver Public Schools and one of three area technical colleges in the Colorado Community College System. Founded in 1916, the college provides equitable access to hands-on, career-focused education for all who wish to learn. Emily Griffith offers Career and Technical Education certificate programs, apprenticeships, English Language Acquisition, GED preparation, and continuing education programs designed to prepare students for today’s workforce and tomorrow’s opportunities.

About Project SCALE

Project SCALE is a business-driven, statewide partnership facilitated by Colorado Succeeds that brings together union and non-union employers, K12 education, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs to build a unified construction talent pipeline. By stacking credentials from high school through postsecondary education, the program accelerates entry into the workforce while supporting long-term career mobility.