construction education foundation north texas

What construction education foundation north texas does

Construction Education Foundation North Texas (CEFNT, also operating as North Texas Construction Education Foundation) is a non-profit construction craft training foundation founded in 1981 and headquartered in Coppell, Texas, near the Dallas-Fort Worth airport. The foundation provides accredited craft training across the building trades, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, welding, pipefitting, sheet metal, roofing, and more recently concrete construction and construction craft laborer programs. All training is delivered against the NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) curriculum and credentialing framework, which produces portable industry-recognized credentials accepted by contractors nationwide.

The foundation operates its programs through a long-standing academic partnership with Dallas College (formerly North Lake College) established in 1989, allowing students to earn college credit alongside NCCER craft credentials. CEFNT is accredited by the ACCE (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges), holds US Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship sponsorship, and is approved for Veterans Affairs GI Bill funding. Its training delivery is anchored by the 97,000 square-foot LEED Silver Construction Sciences Building, which opened in Fall 2021 and contains approximately 28 classrooms along with specialized labs for welding, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work. The organization also integrates virtual delivery for selected offerings, such as Excel Intermediate, alongside its primarily in-person craft labs.

Revenue mechanics reflect a self-supporting non-profit model built on three streams: per-semester tuition from individual trainees (reportedly in the $400–$4,000 range depending on program), contributions from contractor sponsors and industry partners, and donations channeled through capital campaigns such as the one supporting the Construction Sciences Building. Named corporate sponsors include TDIndustries, Rogers-O'Brien, Prism Electric, Polk Mechanical, Way Mechanical, and Encore Mechanical, and CEFNT maintains formal partnerships with 15+ industry associations including ASA, TEXO, NAWIC, PHCC, AGC, ABC, NECA, MCAA, and SMACNA. The current President is Michael Linzmaier; the Chairman is Ken Luong (TDIndustries) and the Treasurer is John Davis (Prism Electric), reflecting the foundation's deep industry governance model.

Name

construction education foundation north texas

Legal name

Construction Education Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://ntcef.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Construction Education Foundation North Texas (CEFNT) is a non-profit construction trade education foundation founded in 1981, providing NCCER-accredited craft training in electrical, plumbing, HVAC, welding, and other trades across the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Coppell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Course Tuition and Registration Fees: Students and companies pay tuition and registration fees for semester-length craft training courses (levels I-IV across trades such as Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Pipefitting, Welding, Sheet Metal, etc.), short courses, seminars, and computer training classes. Fees vary by course length and type. Semester courses require full payment at time of registration.
2. Books and Materials Sales: CEF sells required textbooks, code books (NEC, IPC), NCCER curriculum materials, and other supplies as part of course enrollment. Prices are listed per course with 8.25% tax added. Books and materials are non-refundable in most cases.
3. Federal Apprenticeship Registration: Companies with federally registered apprentices pay an initial startup fee of $300 per apprentice registered with the OA program, plus potential reinstatement fees of $3,000 for deregistered/reinstated apprentices.
4. Company Sponsorship and Trust Accounts: Sponsoring association members (ASA, TEXO) can be invoiced for training; companies can maintain CEF Trust Accounts for debit-based payment. Sponsoring associations and companies also support via scholarship funds.
5. Donations and Scholarships: CEF accepts cash gifts, commemorative gifts, endowed scholarships (minimum $30,000), in-kind gifts, and multi-year pledges to support student scholarships. Rogers-O'Brien matched contributions up to $10,000 for the Britt Harris Scholarship.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Construction Education Foundation of North Texas (CEF/NTCEF) delivers accredited construction craft and supervisory training programs across trades such as Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Pipefitting, Welding, Sheet Metal, Roofing, and Commercial Field Engineering. Programs use the NCCER standardized curriculum, are accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE), and are delivered through classroom instruction and hands-on labs at the 97,000-square-foot Construction Sciences Building in Coppell, Texas. The foundation also offers English as a Second Language, Safety Training (OSHA, CPR/AED), computer training (Bluebeam, Excel), and supervisory/leadership development courses.

Product overview

Construction Education Foundation of North Texas (CEF) is an educational institution offering a portfolio of construction trade training programs, not a technology product company. The organization provides multiple craft and professional development programs including Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Pipefitting, Welding, Sheet Metal, Roofing, Commercial Field Engineering, and Construction Site Leadership. Additional offerings include computer training (Bluebeam, Microsoft Excel), English as a Second Language, Safety Training (OSHA, CPR), and the Supervisory Training Program (STP). Programs are delivered through classroom instruction and hands-on labs at the Dallas College Construction Sciences Building facility. The organization also provides online student and client portals for course enrollment and training management. All programs are accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) and align with NCCER curriculum standards. Veterans may use GI Bill benefits for apprenticeship training programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Construction Sciences Building: A 97,000-square-foot LEED Silver facility opened in Fall 2021, featuring 11 interactive labs and 28 classrooms for hands-on construction trade training.

Products and services

• Electrical Program Four-level electrical curriculum preparing learners for careers as skilled professionals, covering safe work practices, applied electrical theory, residential, commercial, and industrial electrical knowledge aligned with National Electrical Code standards. Includes Journeyman and Master Prep courses.
• Plumbing Program Four-level plumbing training covering basic safety, hand and power tools, copper tube and fittings, cast iron and plastic pipe, water distribution, DWV systems, plumbing fixtures, Journeyman license exam preparation, and medical gas systems.
• Commercial HVAC Service Program Four-level HVAC training covering basic safety, trade mathematics, basic electricity, pipe practices, soldering and brazing, commercial airside systems, air distribution, and EPA Section 608 certification preparation.
• Welding Construction Program Four-level welding program covering SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW techniques, welding safety, quality control, open root pipe welds, stainless steel plate and pipe groove welds, preheat and postheating, and aluminum welding. Features approximately 70% hands-on training per semester.
• Pipefitting Program Four-level pipefitting training covering orientation to trade, safety, hand and power tools, pipe fabrication, stress relieving, aligning, steam traps, inline specialties, hot taps, valve maintenance, and rigging practices.
• Sheet Metal Program Three-level sheet metal training covering construction math, basic safety, hand and power tools, rigging, materials handling, sheet metal layout, duct fabrication, welding, brazing, and architectural sheet metal work.
• Roofing Program Two-level roofing program covering safety, drawings, substrates, roof decks, roofing insulation, sheet metal, rigging, steep-slope and low-slope roofing systems, asphalt shingles, clay and concrete tile, wood, slate, metal, EPDM, built-up, modified bitumen, and liquid-applied systems.
• Commercial Field Engineering Program Multi-level program with emphasis on commercial layout covering property line information, primary control setup, foundation and structural layout, and AutoCAD integration with Total Station, Robotic Total Station, and GPS Data Collectors.
• AutoCAD Building Systems Design Training Course track providing AutoCAD users advanced understanding of features for creating 2D and 3D drawings using advanced drafting techniques, layers, dimensioning, 3D modeling, rendering, and plotting for the construction industry.
• Supervisory Training Program (STP) Six-module supervisory training covering leadership and motivation, oral and written communications, planning and scheduling, contract documents and construction law, productivity and project cost management, and risk management and problem solving.
• Construction Site Leadership Program Two-level leadership training covering skills and concepts for managing individuals and teams, communication, conflict resolution, problem solving, team organization, trust building, project control tools, safety management, cost, quality, and production.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Six-level ESL program preparing students to communicate orally in public and work environments, emphasizing language functions, pronunciation, listening skills, and social and intercultural skills for the construction industry.
• Safety Training Safety courses including CPR/AED/First Aid certification, Forklift Certification, OSHA 10-Hour Construction, and OSHA 30-Hour Construction training programs.
• Computer Training Software training courses including Bluebeam Revu (baseline basics, administrative, field data collection, document management, civil workflows, material takeoffs), Microsoft Excel (beginner, intermediate), OneNote, Outlook, and reading construction documents.
• Student and Client Portals Online portals for students to enroll in classes, view schedules, and manage training records; separate portal for company clients to enroll students and track employee training, attendance, and grades.

Quantifiable outcome

• NCCER-accredited training recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor for apprenticeship programs
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Dallas College North Lake Campus (formerly North Lake College)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1989College-level accreditation partnership established in 1989, providing professional college credits for CEF craft training classes. This partnership enhanced the professional image of courses and provided a career pathway for apprentices. The partnership also enabled the development of the 97,000 sq ft Construction Sciences Building on the Dallas College Coppell Center campus, opened in Fall 2021.
• NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCCER became the official national organization in 1996 to accredit and standardize craft training for the construction industry. CEF uses NCCER's competency-based task-oriented curriculum across all its programs. NCCER's curriculum complies with U.S. Department of Labor's standards for apprenticeship programs.
• TEXO Association (formerly ABC North Texas + AGC Dallas/Fort Worth)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTEXO Association (formed in 2009 from the merger of Associated Builders and Contractors North Texas Chapter and Associated General Contractors Dallas and Fort Worth chapters) is a sponsoring association that promotes CEF training through membership meetings, events, and publications. TEXO's President/CEO Meloni McDaniel serves on the CEF Board.
• ASA North Texas (American Subcontractors Association)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerASA North Texas is a founding sponsoring association that promotes CEF training. ASA sponsors the Texas Lien & Bond Claims seminar presented by Thomas, Feldman & Wilshusen at CEF. ASA's Executive Director Beverly Reynal serves on the CEF Board.
• NAWIC Dallas and Fort Worth Chapters (National Association of Women in Construction)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating association that promotes and publicizes training through CEF at their membership meetings, events, and in their publications. Also offers the NAWIC Founders' Scholarship Foundation for eligible students.
• PHCC Texas (Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association of Texas)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating association promoting CEF training to plumbing and HVAC contractors. PHCC North Texas chapter is separately listed as a partner organization for workforce development.
• DACA (Drywall & Acoustical Contractors Association)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating association promoting CEF training programs to drywall and acoustical contractors in the DFW area.
• RHCA (Regional Hispanic Contractors Association)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating association promoting CEF training to Hispanic contractors and construction workers in the North Texas region.
• RBCA (Regional Black Contractors Association)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating association promoting CEF training programs to Black contractors and construction professionals in the DFW region.
• NFSA (National Fire Sprinkler Association)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating association promoting CEF training to fire sprinkler contractors and professionals.
• Asian-American Contractors AssociationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating association promoting CEF training to Asian-American contractors in Texas.
• FSCATX (Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association of Texas)supportingGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating association promoting CEF training programs to fire sprinkler contractors in Texas.
• U.S. Department of Labor - Office of ApprenticeshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEF is authorized to assist veterans with registering for GI Bill benefits for four-year apprenticeship training programs. Federally registered apprentices must be employed by companies with signed agreements with CEF. The OA program provides U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship standards that CEF's curriculum meets.
• VA Department (Veterans Affairs)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans enrolled in four-year apprenticeship training programs may use their GI Bill to train at CEF. CEF is authorized to assist veterans in registering for benefits. Applications are submitted to the VA Department in Muskogee, OK.
• American Council for Construction Education (ACCE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe accrediting agency for 2 and 4 year schools offering construction programs in the United States. CEF's program courses are fully accredited by ACCE, providing national recognition of training quality.
• Construction Industry Outreach Advisory CouncilsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating association that promotes CEF training programs to construction industry workers and employers.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Training Institute (ITI): SMACNA-affiliated training arm delivering sheet metal and HVAC apprenticeship programs nationally. Directly comparable to NTCEF's Sheet Metal and HVAC programs, with similar competency-based curricula, DOL registration, and EPA 608 certification preparation for working professionals.
• Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC): National trade association operating apprenticeship and craft training programs for electricians. Directly comparable to NTCEF's Electrical Program (Levels I-IV), with similar NCCER-aligned curriculum and DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways, but focused exclusively on electrical trades vs. NTCEF's multi-trade model.
• PHCC National (Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association): National trade association running apprenticeship training for plumbing, HVAC, and hydronic heating contractors. Directly comparable to NTCEF's Plumbing and HVAC programs, including EPA 608 and backflow certification prep, with parallel federal apprenticeship registration and continuing education offerings.
• International Masonry Institute (IMI): National joint labor-management organization providing apprenticeship and craft training for bricklayers, tile setters, plasterers, and cement masons. Directly comparable to NTCEF's multi-trade DOL-registered apprenticeship model, with similar craft training infrastructure and industry-association-driven student referrals.
• The Electrical Training Alliance (formerly NJATC): Joint IBEW-NECA electrical apprenticeship program, the largest in the U.S. Directly comparable to NTCEF's Electrical Program via shared DOL-registered apprenticeship structure and curriculum aligned to NEC standards — though structured as a union-affiliated pathway vs. NTCEF's open-enrollment model.
• United Association (UA) of Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Service Techs: Union operating local training centers nationwide for plumbers, pipefitters, HVAC service technicians, and welders. Directly comparable to NTCEF's Plumbing, Pipefitting, Welding, and HVAC programs, with structured multi-year apprenticeship curricula and DOL registration — though union-affiliated vs. NTCEF's open-shop model.
• Construction Industry Training Council (CITC): Pacific Northwest-based non-profit trade training organization operating NCCER-aligned programs across multiple construction trades. Directly comparable to NTCEF's multi-trade non-profit model with NCCER accreditation, DOL apprenticeship registration, and association-funded scholarship programs — though geographically focused on Washington State.

Emerging players

• SkillsUSA: National non-profit serving middle school, high school, and college students preparing for careers in skilled trades. Adjacent to NTCEF in targeting the entry-level and career-changer construction trades pipeline, with overlapping curriculum areas (welding, electrical, plumbing, HVAC) — though focused on pre-employment training vs. NTCEF's DOL-registered apprenticeship model.

Broad incumbents

• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC): National construction trade association with its own apprenticeship and craft training programs. Comparable to NTCEF as a broader industry umbrella that historically housed CEF's training program (founded 1981 under ABC North Texas); ABC provides overlapping training capabilities across multiple trades at national scale, while NTCEF specializes regionally with deeper infrastructure investment.
• National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER): National non-profit providing standardized craft training curricula and accreditation used across DOL-registered apprenticeship programs. Comparable to NTCEF via the shared NCCER curriculum framework that powers all NTCEF programs — NCCER functions as both content partner and broader industry credentialing authority, while NTCEF delivers direct instruction through accredited facilities.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/NTCEF
• Facebookfacebook.com/NTCEF
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/construction-education-foundation-north-texas

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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