Central Texas’ growing demand for skilled construction workers is driving a new partnership focused on preparing the region’s future workforce. Austin Community College District (ACC) and Sundt Construction (Sundt) officially signed a new partnership Thursday, February 19, at ACC’s Riverside Campus to expand craft trade training and strengthen long-term talent development across the region.
The partnership is designed to create clear and direct pathways into high-demand careers while helping employers build a strong pipeline of skilled workers for our local economy.
“Sundt offers both registered and non-registered apprenticeships, and they hire our students while they’re in school and pay them. It’s the true earn-and-learn model we plan to use with our industry partners moving forward,” said ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart. “These are high-demand programs that are critical to our region’s infrastructure. They benefit not just the College or our students but they’re part of our economic impact, leading to higher wages. That means less poverty, less reliance on assistance, and greater prosperity across the entire ecosystem.”
The collaboration aligns education with industry demand as the construction sector faces ongoing labor shortages nationwide. According to Associated Builders and Contractors, the construction industry will need to attract an estimated 349,000 net new workers in 2026 to meet demand for construction services. In 2027, that number climbs to 456,000 new workers as construction spending growth resumes.
“Our partnership with Austin Community College creates long-term opportunities in the skilled trades. By aligning education with the needs of the industry, we’re helping develop the next generation of professionals who will build Central Texas for decades to come,” said Sundt Vice President of Workforce Development Sean Ray.
Sundt, a major construction firm currently leading projects such as the 183 North Mobility Project in Central Texas, will work alongside ACC to ensure the curriculum reflects real workforce needs and creates direct pipelines into employment.
Through the partnership, ACC and Sundt will work together to:
- Co-create construction and skilled craft training programs
- Align curriculum with industry-recognized credentials
- Develop pre-apprenticeship pathways that lead directly to registered apprenticeships
Students participating in ACC’s workforce training programs also shared how hands-on learning and industry partnerships help connect education to real career opportunities.
“This program gave me real-world experience beyond the classroom through our projects. It showed me what to expect outside of the trade,” said Alfredo Gonzalez, ACC student and Sundt employee. “I didn’t want to go to college at first. I tried going straight to work, but it didn’t work out. So I went to college, and now I’m in a position that’s helping me build a career doing what I actually want to do.”
The partnership builds on broader workforce investments at ACC, including a range of skilled trade and technical programs that prepare students for careers in construction, manufacturing, electrical, HVAC, and other high-demand fields. The College also is expanding training capacity through bond-funded improvements at its Round Rock Campus, creating modern spaces designed for hands-on workforce education. These efforts connect to ACC’s developing Infrastructure Academy, which brings together industry partners, education, and workforce training to help meet the growing infrastructure and skilled labor needs in Central Texas.
For more information on training programs, visit austincc.edu/dmcat.
View photos from the event in the Flickr album below.
