Construction Ready
Construction Ready is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free 20-day construction training, industry credentials, and job placement for adult jobseekers and high school students across Georgia, Florida, and Alabama.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersAtlanta, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Construction Ready does
Construction Ready is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that provides free construction workforce training and job placement services. Its core offering is a 20-day intensive training program for adult jobseekers that produces industry-recognized credentials (NCCER Core, OSHA 10-hour, plus First Aid/CPR/BBP/AED and additional trade certifications) at no cost to participants. The organization cites a 97% placement rate, with graduates securing roles such as General Contractor, Electrician, Drywall Installer, Carpenter, Framer, Equipment Operator, Concrete Finisher, Roofer, Plumber, and HVAC Technician. A K-12 program serves high school students and school districts through curriculum, teacher support, and SkillsUSA competitions, while the CareerExpo event platform connects students directly with employers; the 2024 Georgia CareerExpo hosted 9,200+ students over two days.
The business operates across three states—Georgia, Florida, and Alabama—with training sites in Atlanta (Westside Works), Jacksonville (FL), and Opelika (AL), and a recent Florida expansion conducted in partnership with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Construction Ready does not charge participants; it is funded through a combination of government grants, private donations, and corporate sponsorships, including mechanisms such as Georgia's Peach Education Tax Credit program for individual and corporate donors. The organization reports 50+ corporate partners spanning construction firms (McCarthy Building Companies, Holder Construction, Anning-Johnson, Bryson Constructors, Beyel Brothers), utilities (Georgia Power, Atlanta Gas Light), foundations (The Home Depot Foundation, Arthur Blank Foundation, Marcus Foundation, LuluMa Foundation), industry associations (AGC Georgia), and government bodies (Georgia Department of Education). Employer partners serve a dual role as both funders and graduate recruiters via hiring fairs and direct placement.
Governance is led by President and CEO Scott Shelar. The organization holds a 4-Star Charity Navigator rating and Platinum GuideStar transparency certification, and in 2024 received the Doug Hooker Award for Excellence in Workforce Impact from the Atlanta Regional Commission. Product surface area has expanded beyond the adult training program to include an Employer Hiring Program, K-12 Construction Program, CareerEXPO events, a blog, a podcast, a Digital Platform resource hub, and Construction Ready PLUS—an advanced post-employment curriculum for graduates working at least 90 days. Underlying technology is primarily administrative (web presence, content distribution, event management) with no disclosed proprietary software platform or AI capabilities.
Construction Ready firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Construction Ready
- Legal name
- Construction Ready
- Website
- https://constructionready.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Construction Ready is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free 20-day construction training, industry credentials, and job placement for adult jobseekers and high school students across Georgia, Florida, and Alabama.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Construction Ready industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Workforce Development and Construction Training Services
- NAICS
- Apprenticeship Training (611513)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Construction, Engineering & Skilled Trades Licensure Prep (EDAAANAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Workforce Development, Employment Readiness & Job Placement (BPADAKAE), Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE)
Keywords
Where Construction Ready is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Atlanta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Construction Ready business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: Construction Ready operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 58-2062862) funded through private donations, corporate sponsorships, and government grants. The training programs are fully funded, meaning participants pay nothing.
- Peach Education Tax Credit Program: Georgia-based individuals and corporations can donate to Construction Ready through the state's Peach Education Tax Credit program, receiving dollar-for-dollar state income tax credits. Contribution limits range from $2,500 (individuals) to $25,000 per member (pass-through entities) to 75% of total Georgia tax liability (C-Corps).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free construction training for all participants |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Construction Ready product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Construction Ready provides free 20-day intensive construction training programs that equip adult job seekers with industry-recognized credentials (NCCER Core, OSHA 10-hour card, First Aid/CPR/AED) and connect graduates directly with construction employers for job placement. The nonprofit also operates K-12 construction education programs, large-scale CareerEXPO hiring events, and an Employer Hiring Program that delivers pre-screened, credentialed candidates to construction companies facing skilled labor shortages.
Product overview
Construction Ready is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization offering a portfolio of workforce development programs focused on building a skilled construction workforce. The core offerings include a 20-day Construction Training Program for adult job seekers, an Employer Hiring Program connecting graduates with construction companies, K-12 Construction Programs for high school students, and CareerEXPO events. Supporting resources include a Digital Platform with blog content and the Construction Ready Podcast. Construction Ready PLUS provides advanced training for employed graduates. All programs are designed to address the skilled labor shortage in the construction industry, with funding from government grants and private donations enabling free training for participants.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Construction Training Program A 20-day intensive construction training program for adult job seekers providing skills and credentials (NCCER Core, OSHA 10-hour card, First Aid/CPR/BBP/AED, and additional certifications) needed to enter construction careers. Fully funded through government grants and private donations, with 97% of graduates securing employment before program completion.
- Employer Hiring Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 97% of graduates secure employment before completing the 20-day program
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Construction Ready
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Construction Ready technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Construction Ready partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- AGC Georgia (Associated General Contractors)corePresenting Sponsor and industry association partner supporting construction workforce development initiatives and CareerExpo events.
- Georgia PowercorePresenting Sponsor providing funding and industry expertise for construction training programs.
- Atlanta Gas LightcorePresenting Sponsor supporting workforce development in the construction trades.
- Georgia Department of EducationcorePresenting Sponsor and government partner supporting K-12 construction education programs and SkillsUSA competitions.
- Holder ConstructioncorePresenting Sponsor and major construction employer partner actively recruiting Construction Ready graduates.
- Jacksonville JaguarsmajorNFL team partnership to deliver construction training classes in Jacksonville, FL. Graduated 6th class in September training local Floridians for construction careers.
- McCarthy Building CompaniescorePlatinum Sponsor and major employer actively hiring Construction Ready graduates. Connected with graduates at career fairs and hosts signing day ceremonies.
- Anning-Johnson CompanycorePlatinum Sponsor hosting carpentry boot camps for students and recruiting graduates. Partner provides hands-on training experiences.
- Goodwill Industries of the Southern RiversmajorCommunity partner collaborating on adult construction training programs in Columbus, GA area.
- WorkSource Lower ChattahoocheemajorWorkforce development agency partner in Columbus, GA adult training program collaboration.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Construction Ready competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Year Up: National workforce development nonprofit offering free, intensive training programs with direct employer placement. Directly comparable on free-training-plus-placement model and employer partnership strategy, though focused on tech and business roles rather than construction.
- Goodwill Industries International: Large established nonprofit workforce development operator offering construction and skilled trades training among many other programs. Broader scope than Construction Ready but overlaps on mission, employer hiring model, and free training for underserved populations.
Emerging players
- Per Scholas: Nonprofit providing free technical training and job placement to underserved adults. Comparable in free-training-plus-placement model and employer partnership approach, though operating in IT rather than construction trades.
Direct peers
- Helmets to Hardhats: Nonprofit that connects military veterans with career opportunities in the U.S. construction industry via free training and direct employer placement. Same free-training-plus-placement model as Construction Ready, with a narrower target population.
- North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) Apprenticeship Programs: Umbrella organization representing union construction apprenticeship programs across the U.S. including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Directly comparable as a construction-trades training pipeline that also places graduates with employers.
- IBEW/NECA Electrical Training Alliance: Joint apprenticeship program between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and NECA training electricians for construction careers. Comparable as a structured, employer-funded construction training-to-jobs pipeline.
- Home Builders Institute (HBI): National nonprofit affiliated with the NAHB that provides construction trades training and credentialing to youth and adults. Closest direct peer to Construction Ready in mission, model, and target trades.
Regional players
- Atlanta Technical College: Local public technical college in the same Atlanta metro as Construction Ready offering construction trades certificates and credentials. Closest same-geography peer for entry-level construction training, though tuition-based and not a placement-focused model.
- Gwinnett Technical College: Georgia-based technical college providing construction trades and apprenticeship-related training in the Atlanta region. Comparable as a regional construction-trades credentialing pipeline and a potential partner or competitor.
Others
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth services nonprofit that has a $1M partnership with the Home Depot Foundation on skilled trades pilot programs. Adjacent to Construction Ready as a youth-facing pipeline and shared funder relationship rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Construction Ready social profiles
Digital presenceConstruction Ready financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Construction Ready leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Construction Ready funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Construction Ready M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Construction Ready
What does Construction Ready do?
Construction Ready provides free 20-day intensive construction training programs that equip adult job seekers with industry-recognized credentials (NCCER Core, OSHA 10-hour card, First Aid/CPR/AED) and connect graduates directly with construction employers for job placement. The nonprofit also operates K-12 construction education programs, large-scale CareerEXPO hiring events, and an Employer Hiring Program that delivers pre-screened, credentialed candidates to construction companies facing skilled labor shortages.
Is Construction Ready a public or private company?
Construction Ready is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Construction Ready founded?
Construction Ready was founded in 1993. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Construction Ready based?
Construction Ready is headquartered in Atlanta, United States, in the North America region.
How does Construction Ready make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Grants are the primary driver. The others are peach Education Tax Credit Program.
Who are Construction Ready's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Year Up and Goodwill Industries International. Per Scholas is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Helmets to Hardhats, North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) Apprenticeship Programs, IBEW/NECA Electrical Training Alliance and Home Builders Institute (HBI). Regional players are Atlanta Technical College and Gwinnett Technical College. Boys & Girls Clubs of America is listed as an others.
Does Construction Ready have an API?
No public API is recorded for Construction Ready.
What industry is Construction Ready in?
Construction Ready's product category is Workforce Development and Construction Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAANAL, Construction, Engineering & Skilled Trades Licensure Prep, with a secondary code of BPADAKAE, Workforce Development, Employment Readiness & Job Placement. Its NAICS code is 611513 and its SIC code is 7361.