What AGC Education Foundation does

The AGC Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1980 by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Washington to deliver construction industry education and workforce development across Washington State. The foundation operates as the educational arm of AGC of Washington, offering a comprehensive catalog of more than 20 program categories including regulator-mandated certifications (WSDOT Construction Inspector Certification, WSDOT Subdivision Certification, CESCL stormwater certification via Washington State Department of Ecology, Construction Quality Management via US Army Corps of Engineers), leadership development curricula (Supervisory Training Program, Foreman Training Program, Project Manager Development Program, Construction Leadership Series), technical programs (BIM Education, Lean Construction Certification Program, Construction Technical Skills, estimating courses), and safety certifications (Flagging, Fall Protection, Confined Space, Trenching & Shoring, Traffic Control Supervisor).

The foundation delivers training through four physical district offices in Seattle, Fife, Bellingham, and Yakima, supplemented by remote instructor-led virtual classes and online self-paced and paced courses delivered through a partnership with Construction Experts Inc. on constructionclasses.com. Member pricing for AGC of Washington members carries discounts of approximately $25-$30 per course versus non-member full price. Beyond paid training, the foundation administers scholarship and endowment programs (41 named endowments with $25,000+ principal gifts each), K-12 workforce pipeline initiatives including the TEACH Construction statewide license and Core Plus Construction program, and outreach events such as Northwest Construction Career Day.

Revenue is generated from course registration fees and a parallel donation stream comprising annual fund contributions, endowment gifts, and planned giving. Customers include individual construction professionals seeking continuing education and certifications, mid-to-large Washington construction firms whose employees attend training (Walsh, Mortenson, GLY, Sellen, Schuchart, Lease Crutcher Lewis, Hayward Baker, Andgar, Constantine Builders), K-12 students and CTE teachers, and university/technical college students receiving scholarships. Distribution relies on direct-to-consumer registration via the foundation's website and class calendar, supplemented by direct enterprise sales of custom on-site training and referral partnerships with AGC of Washington.

Name

AGC Education Foundation

Legal name

AGC Education Foundation

Website

https://constructionfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The AGC Education Foundation is a Washington State 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1980 by AGC of Washington, that delivers construction industry certifications, leadership training, and workforce development programs to professionals, students, and educators statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Course Registration Fees: Revenue generated from registration fees for continuing education courses, certifications, and training programs. Pricing varies by course type with AGC member discounts available.
2. Donations and Contributions: Non-profit 501(c)(3) organization relies on generous contributions from donors through Annual Fund, endowment gifts, and planned giving to support programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The AGC Education Foundation delivers construction industry training, professional certifications, and leadership development courses to working construction professionals, contractors, and students in Washington State. It offers in-person, remote, and online courses covering safety, technical, leadership, and project management skills, plus a scholarship program and K-12 workforce development outreach. Revenue is generated through course registration fees (member and non-member pricing) and charitable donations.

Product overview

AGC Education Foundation offers a comprehensive portfolio of construction industry education programs and certifications. The organization provides in-person and online training through multiple program categories: certification programs (WSDOT Inspector Certification), leadership development (Supervisory Training Program, Foreman Training Program, Project Manager Development Program, Construction Leadership Series), technical skills (BIM Education, Lean Construction Certification, Construction Technical Skills, Estimating courses), safety certifications (Flagging, Fall Protection, Traffic Control), and technology courses (Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks). The foundation also operates workforce development programs including Core Plus Construction for high schools, TEACH Construction for K-12 educators, Construction Career Day events, and administers a scholarship program for Washington State students pursuing construction-related education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WSDOT Inspector Certification Program A certification program for inspectors working on WSDOT highway construction projects, requiring completion of 11 subject area exams covering Technical Mathematics, Contract Plans Reading, Surveying, Materials Documentation, and related topics. Exclusively authorized by WSDOT.
• BIM Education Program Four-unit comprehensive BIM training program totaling 32 hours covering terminology, technology, contract negotiation, and process integration. Graduates can test for the CM-BIM (Certificate of Management-Building Information Modeling) designation.
• Supervisory Training Program (STP) Six-unit curriculum for field supervisors covering leadership, communication, planning, contract documents, productivity, and risk management. Available in-person and online formats.
• Foreman Training Program (FTP) Four-evening comprehensive program covering topics for early-career foremen including leadership, productivity, quality control, and jobsite safety. Over 300 people have completed the series.
• Project Manager Development Program (PMDP) Five-module interactive program for early-career project managers covering estimating, contract administration, project administration, risk management, and leadership.
• Construction Leadership Series Comprehensive leadership skills training series with seven modules for industry professionals with 10-plus years experience, featuring company mentors and subject matter experts.
• Lean Construction Certification Program (LCCP) Seven-module certification program teaching lean techniques to reduce costs, schedules, and variability. Curriculum designed by licensed Professional Engineers in Washington State.
• Construction Technical Skills (CTS) Multi-level blueprint reading and quantity take-off series including CTS A (Introduction to Reading Blueprints), CTS B (Interpreting Plans & Specifications), and CTS C (Quantity Take-Off).
• Online Estimating and Related Courses Ten-week online courses in partnership with Construction Experts Inc., endorsed by the American Society of Professional Estimators. Includes courses on construction math, blueprint reading, and estimating fundamentals.
• Safety Certifications Various OSHA-compliant safety certification courses including Flagging, Fall Protection, Confined Space, Trenching & Shoring, Basic Rigging, Scaffold User, and Traffic Control Supervisor certifications.
• Technology Courses Technology training including Microsoft Excel (4 levels), MS Project (2 levels), AutoCAD (Introduction and Advanced), Autodesk Revit Architecture and Structure, Autodesk Navisworks, and introductory computer courses.
• CESCL Stormwater Training Two-day certification and one-day recertification courses for Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL), approved by Washington State Department of Ecology. Also required by Port of Seattle.
• GC/CM Workshop Two-day workshop covering General Contractor/Construction Manager contract administration, procurement processes, and project delivery best practices.
• WWHM 2012 Workshops Basic and Advanced workshops for the Western Washington Hydrology Model 2012 software, providing hands-on training in stormwater modeling capabilities.
• Class Calendar Online calendar system for browsing and registering for construction industry courses including safety certifications, technical skills, leadership training, and project management courses.
• TEACH Construction Online library of instructional materials for K-12 construction and building trades teachers, provided through a statewide license sponsored by AGC Education Foundation for Washington State educators.
• Core Plus Construction High school program supported by the construction industry preparing students for high-demand construction jobs throughout Washington State.
• Scholarship Program Annual scholarship awards for full-time students in construction-related university and two-year programs in Washington State, funded by 41 named endowments.
• Construction Career Day Interactive high school career event (Northwest Construction Career Day) introducing students to construction industry careers through hands-on activities with heavy equipment and construction trades.
• Construction Quality Management (CQM) Construction Quality Management certification in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers for contractors performing construction for the Corps and required for Contractor Quality Control compliance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served thousands of construction professionals, students and teachers annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TEACH ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024AGC Education Foundation has sponsored a statewide license to TEACH Construction, an online library of instructional materials for K-12 construction and building trades teachers. Any Washington State K-12 CTE program can access TEACH Construction at no cost through the foundation.
• Construction Experts, Inc.coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2019Partnership to provide online training through constructionclasses.com. Online estimating courses and Supervisory Training Program (STP) are delivered via this platform with self-paced and paced course options.
• American Society of Professional EstimatorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll estimating courses are endorsed by the American Society of Professional Estimators, providing credential validation for course completions.
• Northwest Carpenters Institute (NWCI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to support Core Plus Construction CTE Training program. NWCI staff work with educators to prepare students for building carpentry skill sets and pathways into union carpenter apprenticeship careers.
• Core Plus ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry-supported high school program preparing students for high demand construction jobs throughout Washington State. Foundation provides administrative support and industry connections.
• AGC of WashingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization that founded the AGC Education Foundation in 1980. Provides membership base, governance oversight, and shared mission to serve Washington's construction industry through education and workforce development.
• Washington State K-12 SchoolscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnerships with Washington State public, private, and tribal compact CTE programs to deliver TEACH Construction curriculum and support Core Plus Construction pathways. Schools include Bates Technical College, Central Washington University, Renton Technical College, and 20+ other institutions.
• Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuthorized certification provider for WSDOT Construction Inspector Certification Program. Beginning June 1, 2021, all inspectors on WSDOT highway projects must be certified through this program.
• US Army Corps of EngineersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Construction Quality Management (CQM) certification. The Corps requires all contractors performing construction for them to comply with Contractor Quality Control requirements, and the foundation provides the required training.
• Washington State Department of EcologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDOE-approved training provider for Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL) certification. Course meets DOE requirements for Construction Stormwater General Permit compliance. Also required by Port of Seattle.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC): ABC is a national construction trade association that provides craft training, safety certification (including OSHA-aligned credentials), and continuing education through its chapter network. ABC's training and apprenticeship offerings compete directly with AGC EF's safety and leadership programs for construction professionals.
• Associated General Contractors of America (AGC of America): AGC of America is the national parent of AGC of Washington and offers its own education, training, and certification programs at the national level. It is a direct peer for the same member base, with overlapping leadership, supervisory, and project management curricula.
• Northwest Carpenters Institute (NWCI): NWCI is a regional apprenticeship and craft training provider for carpenters in the Pacific Northwest, partnering with AGC EF on Core Plus Construction. It is a direct peer in trades training and apprenticeship preparation for the same Washington State construction workforce.
• National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER): NCCER is the leading national provider of construction industry craft training and credentialing, offering certifications, curriculum, and assessments across trades. It is the most direct comparable to AGC EF's WSDOT-style craft certification model, though it operates nationally rather than regionally.
• International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Training Centers: IUOE operates heavy-equipment operator and construction craft apprenticeship training centers across the U.S. They are direct peers in delivering construction industry vocational certifications, particularly relevant for AGC EF's safety, rigging, and heavy-equipment-adjacent curricula.

Others

• American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE): ASPE is a professional society that endorses AGC EF's estimating courses. While not a direct training competitor, it operates adjacent construction education and certification programs (including the CPE certification) that overlap with AGC EF's estimating curriculum.
• Construction Experts Inc. Construction Experts Inc. is a technology partner that delivers AGC EF's online self-paced construction courses through constructionclasses.com. As a delivery partner, it is comparable in offering online construction training to the same market, with potential overlap in online course catalog.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) / Home Builders Institute: NAHB and its Home Builders Institute provide residential construction training, certifications, and workforce development nationally. It is a broader incumbent in construction trades education, overlapping with AGC EF on core craft and supervisory training but focused on residential rather than commercial/infrastructure construction.

Regional players

• Construction Industry Training Council: Construction Industry Training Council provides workforce development and craft training programs in select states. It is a comparable regional peer focused on construction industry education and apprenticeship preparation, similar in mission to AGC EF though serving different states.

Emerging players

• SkillsUSA: SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit serving middle school, high school, and college students in career and technical education, including construction trades. It is comparable to AGC EF's K-12 workforce development and TEACH Construction pipeline initiatives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/agc-education-foundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/agcef

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AGC Education Foundation