What Construction Education Foundation does

The Construction Education Foundation (CEF Colorado) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1999 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, dedicated to construction industry workforce development. The organization addresses Colorado's skilled trades labor shortage by recruiting, training, and placing workers through a portfolio of programs targeting high school students, adult learners, and construction industry employers. CEF operates a 27,000-square-foot training center at 646 Mariposa Street with ten classrooms, five construction labs, and outdoor training areas, and serves as the designated OSHA Training Institute Education Center (OTIEC) for a six-state region encompassing Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah.

CEF's core products include the Careers in Construction (CIC) high school program delivering Home Builder's Institute (HBI), NCCER core, and Department of Labor-recognized Pre-Apprenticeship Certified Training (PACT) certifications in carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and masonry; the P-TECH High School Program, operated jointly with Aurora Public Schools and Community College of Aurora, enabling students to graduate with both a high school diploma and a Construction Management associate's degree at no cost; the OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour safety courses delivered via the OTIEC; an entry-level jobs portal and apprenticeship pathway; the BoulderMOD modular construction training program with Flatirons Habitat for Humanity; and a multi-tier corporate sponsorship program. The organization has served over 3,000 high school students through CIC and added over 800 new construction workers to the Colorado industry between 2016 and 2021.

CEF's business model is structured as a non-profit funded through a diversified mix of corporate sponsorships from construction industry employers at Cornerstone Elite, Associate, Supporting, and Advocating tiers; state government grants including the RISE Grant and WORK ACT Grant; private foundation grants from the OPUS Foundation, Nord Family Foundation, Daniels Fund, and Pinnacol; individual donations; and in-kind contributions of construction materials, tools, and equipment. Programs are provided free to students. CEF collaborates with industry associations (Associated General Contractors of Colorado, Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs, Home Builder's Association of Metro Denver), K-12 and higher education partners, and community-based organizations including Hispanic Contractors of Colorado, the Black Chamber, and the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials to deliver its mission of building an inclusive construction workforce pipeline.

Name

Construction Education Foundation

Legal name

The Construction Education Foundation

Website

https://cefcolorado.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Construction Education Foundation is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that delivers construction workforce training, apprenticeships, and OSHA safety courses to high school students, adult learners, and construction industry employers across a six-state Mountain West region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Construction & Trades Licensure (Contractor, Electrician, Plumber, HVAC CE) (EDAAALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Construction, Engineering & Skilled Trades Licensure Prep (EDAAANAL), Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

Keywords

• Construction workforce training
• OSHA safety training
• Pre-apprenticeship programs
• Skilled trades education
• Construction career pathways

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: Funding from construction industry companies at various sponsorship levels (Cornerstone Elite, Cornerstone Associate, Cornerstone Supporting, Advocating Sponsors) providing brand exposure and workforce pipeline investment.
2. Government Grants: State of Colorado RISE Grant, WORK ACT Grant, OPUS Foundation Grant, WORK NOW Grant, Nord Family Foundation Grant, Daniels Fund Grant, Pinnacol Grant funding workforce development programs.
3. Individual Donations: Philanthropic support from individuals supporting workforce development programs. The organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
4. In-Kind Donations: Construction materials, tools, and equipment donated by industry partners.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Construction Education Foundation (CEF Colorado) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that recruits, trains, and places workers into Colorado's construction industry. It delivers high-school-level construction career programs (Careers in Construction, P-TECH), runs an OSHA Training Institute Education Center serving six states, and connects graduates to employer apprenticeships and entry-level jobs. Programs are funded by industry sponsors, government grants, and donations, and are delivered free to students.

Product overview

The Construction Education Foundation (CEF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1999, dedicated to construction industry workforce development in Colorado. The organization operates a unified portfolio of educational programs focused on recruiting, developing, and serving students of the construction industry. Core offerings include the Careers in Construction (CIC) high school program, the P-Tech High School Program (Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools), and the OSHA Training Institute Education Center (OTIEC) serving a six-state region. CEF also provides entry-level job placement services, volunteer mentorship opportunities, and corporate sponsorship programs. The organization collaborates with industry partners, educational institutions, and government agencies to deliver innovative educational pathways including pre-apprenticeship training, trade certifications (HBI, NCCER, PACT), and OSHA safety credentials to create a skilled construction workforce.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Careers in Construction (CIC): High school student training program teaching skilled trades careers including carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and more, leading to Home Builder's Institute (HBI) certificates and NCCER core certifications.
• P-TECH High School Program
• OSHA Training Institute Education Center (OTIEC)

Products and services

• Careers in Construction (CIC) A high-school construction career training program delivered in partnership with AGC Colorado, Housing & Building Association of Colorado Springs, and Home Builder's Association of Metro Denver. Students earn state and nationally recognized Home Builder's Institute (HBI) certificates, NCCER core certifications, and Department of Labor Pre-Apprenticeship Certified Training (PACT) certificates.
• P-TECH High School Program A dual-enrollment program partnering Aurora Public Schools and Community College of Aurora that lets grades 9-14 students graduate with a high school diploma, construction industry credentials, and an associate's degree in Construction Management at no cost to the student.
• OSHA Training Institute Education Center (OTIEC) An authorized OSHA Training Institute Education Center providing OSHA 10-Hour and 30-Hour Construction training, plus other safety courses, for the six-state OSHA Denver Region, delivered in-person at the Denver training center and partner sites in Utah and South Dakota.
• Entry-Level Jobs Portal A job board listing entry-level and no-experience-required construction industry openings, updated weekly and targeted at CEF program completers and entry-level applicants.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program A tiered corporate sponsorship program (Cornerstone Elite, Cornerstone Associate, Cornerstone Supporting, Advocating, and Training Center Room Sponsors) that provides construction industry employers with brand exposure and access to a trained talent pipeline.
• Volunteer Mentor Program A volunteer engagement program that places construction industry professionals into Denver-metro classrooms as mentors, hands-on trainers, classroom speakers, and job-site tour hosts for CEF students.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 800 new construction workers added to industry 2016-2021
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.

• Associated General Contractors of Colorado (AGC Colorado)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner that created CEF; co-developer of Careers in Construction (CIC) program with Housing & Building Association of Colorado Springs and Home Builder's Association of Metro Denver. 100% of AGC Colorado Board of Directors contributes to CEF.
• Housing & Building Association of Colorado Springs (CSHBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developer of Careers in Construction (CIC) program alongside AGC Colorado and Home Builder's Association of Metro Denver.
• Home Builder's Association of Metro DenvercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developer of Careers in Construction (CIC) program alongside AGC Colorado and Housing & Building Association of Colorado Springs.
• Hispanic Contractors of Colorado (HCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiversity partner providing insights and relationships within the Hispanic community to support CEF's diversity goals in construction workforce.
• Aurora Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in P-TECH program offering Construction Management Associate's Degree alongside Community College of Aurora and CEF at Gateway High School and Vista PEAK Preparatory.
• Community College of AuroracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner in P-TECH program providing college-level instruction for Construction Management Associate's Degree alongside Aurora Public Schools and CEF.
• Flatirons Habitat for HumanitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistoric partnership in BoulderMOD modular construction training program where CEF students build real homes for families at APEX campus factory.
• Boulder Valley School District (BVSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing APEX campus for BoulderMOD modular construction training where BVSD students build homes alongside CEF instructors and Habitat volunteers.
• Adams County School District 14keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in State of Colorado RISE Grant bringing P-TECH and construction career pathways to local community; Adams City High School is location for Construction Careers Now training.
• Front Range Community CollegekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in State of Colorado RISE Grant with Adams County School District 14 and CEF for P-TECH and construction pathways.
• OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEF designated as authorized OSHA Training Institute Education Center (OTIEC) for Denver Region covering six states: Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Utah.
• AGC of UtahsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost training site for CEF OTIEC in Salt Lake City, UT providing OSHA courses in Utah.
• AGC of South DakotasupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost training site for CEF OTIEC in Sioux Falls, SD providing OSHA courses in South Dakota.
• JE Dunn ConstructionkeyGTM or Marketing PartnerCornerstone Elite Sponsor and founding member of CEF; invests in workforce development and provides employment opportunities for CEF graduates.
• Hensel PhelpskeyGTM or Marketing PartnerLarge general contractor supporting CEF; provides summer craft internships and full-time employment for CEF graduates; board member Dave Rosser serves on CEF board.
• Colorado Contractors Association (CCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction industry association collaborating with CEF for workforce development and diversity initiatives.
• Black ChambersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiversity partner providing insights and relationships within the Black community to support CEF's workforce diversity goals.
• Black Construction GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction industry organization providing insights and relationships to support CEF's diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• African-American Trade AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrade association partner supporting CEF's diversity goals in construction workforce development.
• Hispanic ChambersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of commerce partner providing insights and relationships within the Hispanic business community for CEF diversity initiatives.
• City and County of Denver's CEI CommitteesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDenver committee providing insights and support for CEF's workforce diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing insights and relationships to support CEF's mission of diversity in construction workforce.
• Emily Griffith Technical CollegekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner in OPUS Foundation grant for Virtual Design Construction (VDC) certificate program.
• Denver Public SchoolskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner in OPUS Foundation grant for Virtual Design Construction (VDC) certificate program with Emily Griffith Technical College.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Year Up: Nonprofit workforce development organization providing training, mentorship, and corporate placement for young adults. Peer in the tuition-free, employer-funded, wraparound-support workforce development model, though Year Up focuses on tech and business roles rather than trades.
• Per Scholas: Nonprofit providing tuition-free technology workforce training and employer placement for underrepresented adults. Peer in nonprofit workforce development model and employer-aligned placement, though Per Scholas focuses on tech rather than construction trades.

Direct peers

• Helmets to Hardhats: Nonprofit that connects transitioning military members with skilled trades apprenticeship opportunities in construction. Peer because it targets the same construction workforce pipeline problem via apprenticeship placement, though focused on veterans rather than high school students.
• SkillsUSA: National nonprofit serving middle school, high school, and college students in career and technical education, including skilled trades. Peer because it overlaps with CEF's high-school CTE/skilled trades recruitment mission and trains students for construction industry credentials.
• NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research): National standardized craft training and credentialing body for the construction industry. CEF offers NCCER core certifications at participating schools, making NCCER a direct content/credential peer in construction trades training.
• Home Builders Institute (HBI): National nonprofit that delivers pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, and certification training for the residential construction trades. HBI is a direct peer because CEF issues HBI certificates through its CIC program, making HBI the credentialing backbone for CEF's trades curriculum.

Broad incumbents

• Job Corps: Federal residential workforce training program for low-income young adults offering construction trades training, OSHA credentials, and placement. Peer because it addresses the same population (disconnected youth) with similar trades training and credentialing, though at a much larger national scale.
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC): National trade association representing merit-shop contractors with its own apprenticeship and craft training programs across all 50 states. ABC is a broad incumbent peer competing for the same employer-sponsored apprenticeship market, though it serves a wider national footprint than CEF's Colorado focus.
• Associated General Contractors of America (AGC of America): National construction trade association with workforce development initiatives. AGC Colorado is CEF's founding partner and co-developer of the CIC curriculum; AGC of America is the broader industry parent providing workforce development programs across chapters.

Regional players

• BoulderMOD / Flatirons Habitat for Humanity Training Program: Regional modular construction training partnership where CEF students build homes alongside Habitat volunteers at the Boulder Valley APEX campus. Peer as a co-delivered construction training program operating in the same Colorado region and same student population.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CefColorado
• Facebookfacebook.com/CEFcolorado.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/construction-education-foundation-of-colorado
• Instagraminstagram.com/cefcolorado

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Construction Education Foundation