Construction Education Foundation

06/19/2026

We recently welcomed students from Denver Kids to CEF for a hands-on introduction to construction careers.

Students spent the morning learning measurement, power tool safety, and finishing techniques with CEF instructors Byron and Paul, along with Student Pathway Coordinators Jaret and George. They put their new skills to work by building individual cell phone holders - many of which were put to use right away at lunch.

Thank you to Denver Kids for partnering with us to help students explore career pathways in the skilled trades.

06/17/2026

Contractor’s Corner: Investing in the Next Generation

We sat down with Joel Pennick of JE Dunn Construction to talk about why early exposure to construction careers matters and how industry leaders can help shape the future workforce.

“Exposing youth to construction…is important because there’s a huge demand for skilled professionals.”

Read the full Q&A.

Joel Pennick, vice president at JE Dunn Construction, the sixth-largest domestic general building contractor in the United States, sat down to talk about JE Dunn’s relationship with the Construction Education Foundation (CEF) and investing in the next generation of builders.

06/16/2026

Trade Tuesday: Plumber!

Did you know Colorado plumbers earn an average of $64,030 a year — and top earners bring home nearly $95K? 💰

Plumbers install and repair the pipe systems that keep our water flowing, our heat running, and our buildings safe. It's skilled, hands-on work that's always in demand.

CEF is committed to building Colorado's next generation of skilled tradespeople. Learn more about a career in plumbing.

Plumbers assemble, install, and repair pipes, fittings, and fixtures of heating, water, and drainage systems, according to specifications and plumbing codes. They install and maintain pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases.

06/15/2026

Congratulations to the outstanding students who earned Gold Medals at the SkillsUSA Colorado State Championships!

We're proud to recognize:
🥇 Adelino, Brighton High School – Plumbing
🥇 AJ, Henry, Logan, and Jaxon, Cherry Creek Innovation Campus – Teamworks
🥇 Reece, Warren Tech – Electrical
🥇 Jack, Warren Tech – Carpentry
🥇 Zoey, Prairie View High School – Masonry

These talented students demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and professionalism in their respective trades. Their achievements earned them eligibility to compete at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta.

Congratulations on this incredible accomplishment!

06/02/2026

Trade Tuesday: Wind Turbine Technician

Powering the future of energy.

Wind Turbine Technicians inspect, maintain and repair turbines - keeping renewable energy systems running safely and efficiently.

What it takes:
✔ Mechanical, electrical and diagnostic skills
✔ Ability to work at heights
✔ Strong problem-solving and safety focus

💰 Average salary: $61,770/year in Colorado
📈 Range: Up to $90,300/year

CEF helps students explore hands-on careers like this and build the skills needed for in-demand industries.

Wind Turbine Service Technicians – Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines. Perform maintenance on wind turbine equipment including resolving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic malfunctions.

05/29/2026

Build the Future with CEF

Invest in Colorado’s next generation of skilled professionals through CEF’s Cornerstone Sponsorship Program.

With multiple partnership levels, your support helps connect students to hands-on training, real-world experiences, and career pathways—while also increasing your company’s visibility and engagement in workforce development.

Together, we can build a stronger future for the construction industry.

👉 Learn more.

05/26/2026

Trade Tuesday: Tile / Wood Installer

Tile and wood installers bring precision and creativity to every project - transforming floors, walls and surfaces with durable, high-quality finishes.

What it takes:
✔ Attention to detail & coordination
✔ Measuring, cutting, and shaping materials
✔ Using hand and power tools
✔ Reading blueprints and layouts

💰 Average salary: $58,140/year in Colorado
📈 Range: Up to $82,280/year

CEF helps students build hands-on skills for careers like this in the skilled trades.

Some skills needed to become floor and tile installers and finishers include manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, physical fitness, and a good sense of balance and color. Primary skills related to this occupation include: install carpet, linoleum, tile, or related material onto floors or walls;....

05/19/2026

Trade Tuesday: Truck Driver

Truck drivers keep construction projects - and the entire economy - moving. From hauling materials to job sites to navigating complex delivery routes, this trade is essential to everything we build.

It's a career that demands responsibility, safety awareness and serious skill behind the wheel. A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required.

Key skills include:
✔ Maneuvering and operating tractor-trailer combinations
✔ Securing and inspecting cargo for transport
✔ Following state and federal transportation regulations
✔ Maintaining accurate logs of hours and vehicle status
✔ Performing pre-trip safety and equipment checks

💰 Average salary: $59,740/year in Colorado
📈 Range: Up to $77,020/year

At CEF, we help students explore in-demand careers like this and build the foundation for a successful future in the skilled trades.

A heavy truck driver drives a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and may be required to unload truck. This type of truck driver position requires a commercial drivers’ license.

05/14/2026

Stand Out Stories: Building Homes, Building Futures

“This isn’t a typical high school experience.”

At Boulder’s APEX campus, students are gaining hands-on experience in a working modular construction factory - building homes for real families while developing skills in OSHA safety, blueprint reading, and quality control.

Since launching in 2024, enrollment has tripled, and students are now mentoring peers while preparing to help set the first homes on-site.

Learn more about this innovative program!

Boulder’s Ponderosa Community Stabilization Project represents a historic partnership between Flatirons (Boulder) Habitat for Humanity, the City of Boulder, and the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD). In an innovative approach to addressing the region’s housing shortage, the project includes ...

05/12/2026

Trade Tuesday: Welder

Welders are the backbone of construction and manufacturing - joining metal components and bringing structural projects to life with skill and precision.

This trade requires sharp focus, strong hand-eye coordination and the ability to work in all kinds of positions and environments.

Key skills include:
✔ Welding in flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions
✔ Brazing and soldering metal parts
✔ Reading technical drawings
✔ Operating metal fabricating equipment
✔ Climbing ladders, towers and scaffolding safely

💰 Average salary: $56,130/year in Colorado
📈 Range: Up to $73,250/year

At CEF, students gain the hands-on experience needed to explore careers like this and thrive in the skilled trades.

Use hand-welding or flame-cutting equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.