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Building Careers That Last: Inside Our Construction Fundamentals Program

At Cerris Builders, strategy drives everything we do, including our workforce development. Recently, in partnership with Construct U, our “school within a business,” we launched the Construction Fundamentals program, designed to create accelerated learning pathways for our field teams, taking them from “green to capable” faster. This is a strategic investment in our workforce, and ultimately, in the success of our projects.

CREATING A CLEAR PATH FOR NON-COLLEGE CAREERS

Construction has always been a hands-on business, and on-the-job learning remains the most proven way to learn and master skills across various trades. Until recently, there hadn’t been a formalized avenue for those taking a non-college career path into the industry at our organization.

“We wanted to close that gap,” explains Nathan Kubicek, Cerris’ Director of Learning and Development. “Intern programs exist for college students, and experienced professionals have clear entry points. What was missing was a structured way for someone to start as a laborer and see a future in this industry.”

The Construction Fundamentals program fills that gap by combining National Center for Construction Education and Research, NCCER-accredited coursework, with real-world jobsite experience. This blend of academic curriculum and practical application provides clarity, consistency, and transferable credentials that participants can carry throughout their careers.

LEARNING WHERE THE WORK HAPPENS

Participants meet weekly for guided instruction, working through NCCER modules that cover safety, tools, rigging, and core construction principles. The differentiator Cerris’ program brings is how seamlessly this learning integrates into the daily rhythm of the jobsite.

“It’s not just that one hour a week that we get to teach them. We see a teachable moment on site, and we get to show them right there,” says Cerris Builders Superintendent Cody Yarger. “They’re learning how to run these scopes and how to understand and manage these projects in real time.”

This approach keeps training relevant and engaging. Instead of pulling employees away from projects for classroom sessions, learning happens where the work happens, reinforced by mentorship from seasoned superintendents and field leaders. These mentors don’t just teach technical skills; they highlight communication, planning, and problem-solving habits that define how Cerris Builders delivers quality craftsmanship.

LEADERS BUILT THROUGH MENTORSHIP

The program showcases Cerris Builders’ “Train Your Replacement” mentality in action. For participants, it’s an opportunity to gain confidence and see new possibilities for their careers. For mentors, it’s a chance to grow as leaders.

“It’s mutually beneficial,” Kubicek said. “Participants learn from experienced professionals, and those mentors develop new capabilities in teaching and leadership.”

That dynamic strengthens our culture of continuous learning. Construct U was born from Cerris’ strategic plan to create a world-class learning organization, and programs like Construction Fundamentals make that vision real. They instill a growth mindset, helping employees see that investing in themselves opens doors to roles they may not have otherwise considered, from project management to field leadership.

BUILDING TALENT TODAY FOR TOMORROW’S SUCCESS

This commitment translates into tangible benefits. A workforce that is continuously learning delivers better outcomes, including greater efficiency, stronger safety practices, and more consistent quality craftsmanship across every project. By developing talent from the ground up, we ensure that the team members who will manage projects in the future are already learning the right habits today.

Cerris Builders’ culture of continuous learning also supports stability. Construction is an ever-changing industry, and skilled labor shortages are an ongoing challenge. Programs like this and others help us stay ahead by building a pipeline of qualified professionals who understand not only the craft but also the systems and standards that drive project success.

These efforts don’t just strengthen our workforce; they create measurable value for project owners. Building a talent pipeline of skilled craftspeople who are willing to travel with us provides the flexibility to overcome labor shortages in high-demand markets. It also allows us to self-perform critical scopes of work in key geographies and on federal projects nationwide, enhancing our reliability and cost efficiency for our clients.

As a 100% employee-owned company, our goal at Cerris Builders is to build careers that last. Creating and retaining our world-class workforce requires providing opportunities to learn and grow. Our Construction Fundamentals and other development programs provide that opportunity — keeping team members engaged, adaptable, and ready to partner with clients to build for what lies ahead.