SkillsCommons is the world’s largest repository of open workforce training materials, created through grants from the U.S. Department of Labor. Find thousands of free, openly licensed learning materials searchable by industry, credential, and content type. All materials, including construction-specific instructional materials, can be freely adopted and adapted.

TEACH Construction offers Open Educational Resources (OER) and subscription instructional resources for the 21st-century construction classroom, including presentation slide decks, lesson videos, quizzes, lesson plans, and skills exercises. Resources are designed to align with industry competency frameworks and can augment or supplement existing curriculum.

The Construction Credentials Matrix is a comprehensive database of available construction credentials for students, workers and supervisors, and includes credentials specific to Washington State. Categories covered include the governing body, jurisdiction, who needs the credential, training and exam expectations, links and more.

What does a Construction Manager really do? That’s the question the DACUM process—Developing A Curriculum—was designed to answer. This February, the Construction Center of Excellence (CCE) hosted three DACUM sessions, bringing together experienced Construction Managers from across Washington State. Their insights are helping educators and industry leaders better understand the evolving demands of the role—and how we all must adapt training and education programs to meet them.

The Learning Commons offers open educational resources, peer-reviewed materials for teaching, learning and research that are free to use, share, remix and redistribute. Construction courses include Fundamentals of Building Construction Management, Construction Document Reading, Introduction to Building Science and more.

Since 2001, MIT has been creating opportunities for learners and educators through Open Educational Resources, including construction-focused courses. Building Technology I: Materials and Construction offers an introduction to the history, theory and construction of basic structural systems as well as an introduction to energy issues in buildings

Washtenaw Community College has compiled construction textbooks, course materials, open courses and federal and state resources onto one page, providing a quick but comprehensive view of available open educational resources. Learn more:

SkillsUSA is the largest career and technical student organization for skilled trades in the United States, with over 444,000 members. SkillsUSA hosts local, state, and national skills competitions, including construction-related events in carpentry, electrical, masonry, plumbing, cabinetry, and construction technology. Engage students and develop careers with their tools, starting in grade 6 through high school.

The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) offers a training portfolio that spans a wide range of construction and maintenance disciplines, ensuring learners can find training that fits their needs. Books, course materials and instructor resources are available for purchase across a wide range of crafts, including carpentry, electrical, HVAC, masonry, plumbing and more.

Durable Skills apply across every construction role, from entry-level workers to project executives. They complement technical competencies and are increasingly recognized as critical differentiators in hiring, promotion, and professional development.

For training programs, this framework provides insight into designing curriculum that intentionally develops durable skills alongside technical competencies.

In this report, the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies explores the role of pre-apprenticeship in creating equitable pathways for underrepresented workers.

Their research focuses on pre-apprenticeship in the construction industry or the building trades, and includes industry projections, employment data including disparities based on workers’ identities, and initial survey findings of regional pre-apprenticeship organizations and pre-apprentices. 

I-BEST pairs workforce training and ABE or ESL so students learn literacy and workplace skills at the same time. Adult literacy and vocational instructors work together to develop and deliver instruction. Colleges provide higher levels of support and student services to address the needs of non-traditional students.

The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges is pleased to share the outcome of the Washington Open ProfTech project: six open textbooks for professional technical programs. Two of the six textbooks are resources for the construction industry: Introduction to Welding and Introduction to Machining.

CORE PLUS Construction is an official Washington State program of study that allows high school students to explore careers in the construction industry. Students use hands-on-learning to gain real-world skills and earn graduation credits.

Skillplan has worked with 14 Building Trades unions, affiliated trades schools and colleges to develop and implement these enhanced learning tools. These resources are valuable for pre-apprenticeship (apprenticeship readiness) and apprenticeship success.

Do you use a learning management system for instruction? Brush up your skills with practical tips and feel confident instructing online and using Canvas LMS.

The ESL for the Trades class was designed to introduce ESL students to various trades and the training and career opportunities within those trades.

Explore careers in the construction industry via websites and video libraries created especially for middle and high school students.

The Construction Math Toolbox combines fun, industry-required math lessons with supplemental academic and career guidance information. It was developed by the CCE with numerous state and local partners for the Transition Math Project.