Grand Canyon University Pre-Apprenticeship Program Targets Critical Workforce Gap

KEY POINTS

• Grand Canyon University and McCarthy Building Companies launched a pre-apprenticeship program targeting the construction workforce gap.

• National construction employment growth is slow, with many firms reporting difficulties finding workers.

• Arizona construction market has seen strong demand, furthering the need for workforce development.

This program adds to GCU’s existing workforce development portfolio, which already includes electrical and manufacturing pre-apprenticeship programs. Grand Canyon University is a private university offering a wide range of degrees on campus and online.

These programs are necessary to meet the needs of the future, especially as large construction investments continue flowing into the state. Looking at the GCU program, current labor market dynamics, and expanding investment illustrates the critical importance of workforce development not only in Arizona but for construction firms nationwide. 

Strong construction demand requires an equally strong construction workforce, making current investments in workforce development essential for meeting future industry needs.

Devin Bell, Associate Economist, ConstructConnect

Program Aims to Help Meet Construction Labor Needs 

The program launches as construction nationwide faces both near- and long-term labor challenges.

ConstructConnect Chief Economist, Michael Guckes, recently reported that over the past eight months, construction job gains were offset by losses, with August standing out as the steepest decline at 7,000 jobs lost. “The total year-to-date change in construction jobs through August now stands at just 6,000 workers,” Guckes said in the September Construction Economy Outlook.

Slow employment growth has had tangible impacts across the construction industry. In August, an Associated General Contractors of America survey reported that 92% of construction firms have difficulty finding workers to hire, while 45% of firms cite labor shortages as the primary cause of project delays.  

In Arizona, the Office of Economic Opportunity anticipates a need for more than 20,000 additional trade jobs by 2030 to meet construction demand. The sluggish growth of the national construction labor pool makes this workforce gap even more pressing, creating added challenges for industry professionals.

Construction Economy Spurs Workforce Development Imperative 

Arizona has seen strong construction demand, with construction starts projected to reach $37.2 billion in 2025. This is largely due to a $25 billion Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company fabrication plant (TSMC) commercial construction project.   

The TSMC project represents part of a broader trend as Arizona attracts megaprojects across multiple construction sectors. In recent years, the state has secured major manufacturing, civil infrastructure, and commercial development, creating a significant demand for construction labor.  

Megaprojects alone do not drive Arizona’s construction market, however. Both civil and nonresidential construction are forecasted to grow from pre-peak 2024 levels through 2027, indicating market strength beyond high-dollar-value developments.

Sustained growth across multiple sectors, combined with megaproject activity, fosters a construction market that demands skilled workers across various trades and specializations. 

Workforce Development Essential for Keeping Up with Demand 

The convergence of strong construction demand and continued workforce constraints positions programs like the GCU-McCarthy partnership as essential for the future of the industry’s labor market.  

The partnership represents an important upfront investment that could deliver substantial returns for Arizona’s construction industry. By investing in workforce development now, the industry becomes more equipped to handle future labor challenges.

Strong construction demand requires an equally strong construction workforce, making current investments in workforce development essential for meeting future industry needs.

The GCU pre-apprenticeship program offers a tangible solution to persistent construction labor challenges that can impact project schedules and bottom lines. As contractors face increasing competition for skilled workers and rising wage pressures, managing your workforce and building pipelines for future labor is critical.