DENVER, Colorado—Western States College of Construction (WSCC)—an institution with eight campuses across Colorado and Wyoming offering apprenticeships and college credits simultaneously—continues to grow, receiving degree-granting approval from the Colorado Department of Private Occupational Schools and a $3.3 million grant from Opportunity Now Colorado. The college, which opened its doors to students in 2021, will use the grant funds to support instructors and develop its recruiting and operational programs.

U.S. Engineering Construction’s VP of Operations, Todd VonLintel is a WSCC Board member and, along with several Field and Office team members in our Rocky Mountain region, worked with peers, business leaders, and legislators over the last several years to help found the college. WSCC offers students the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree, debt-free, while also taking home a salary and gaining real-world job experience as apprentices in the skilled trades.

After an 18-month application process, WSCC received approval from the state to award associate degrees in occupational studies. On the approval, WSCC President Dr. Mostafa Khattab said, “As a first-of-its-kind institution, we are thrilled to be one step closer to our goal of providing degrees in occupational studies and construction education. WSCC looks forward to the ways this will impact the future of Colorado’s skilled trades workforce.”

VonLintel adds, “This approval couldn’t have come at a better time. Workforce challenges are at an all-time high, but because of the tenacity of members in our industry, labor partners, and partnerships across the state at every level, WSCC has come to fruition. We look forward to seeing the impact this institution will have on our current and future generations of workforce.” 

The grant from Opportunity Now Colorado was one of 46 grants awarded by the state in June to support in-demand jobs, like construction. WSCC plans to use the grant funds, totaling $3,362,839 over a period of three years, to contribute to apprenticeship instructors, instructor training, a STEP program operations manager and marketing, grant management, recruitment, and a workforce symposium.

Read more about WSCC and the programs it offers on the college’s website.