Washington State University will be expanding its construction management program, thanks to generous support from industry leaders throughout the region.
“Employers tell us the same thing again and again – that we need more WSU construction management graduates,” said WSU School of Design and Construction Director Jason Peschel. “This expansion is directly in response to that industry demand.”
The construction industry is facing a workforce shortage at national and regional levels, including in management and leadership. Industry analysts estimate that the construction sector must attract hundreds of thousands of new workers every year to keep pace with demand and replace retiring professionals, said Peschel. Long-term projections show tens of thousands of construction-related job openings over the next decade, driven by infrastructure investment, housing demand, clean energy projects, and an aging workforce.
“We’re already seeing the impact,” he said. “Projects are being delayed, costs are rising, and quality and safety can be at risk.”
WSU’s four-year professional construction management program is known for its strong industry connections and near-total job placement – with many students receiving job offers well before graduation. The program includes learning in the fields of business, construction, architecture, and engineering. In addition to the business of construction, students learn about materials and methods, applicable technology tools, delivery methods, and much more to be successful in today’s construction industry.
“Students benefit from close relationships with faculty, project-based learning, teamwork, and strong professional expectations,” said Peschel. “Small lab experiences, meaningful mentoring, and a sense of community are cited as defining strengths of this program.”
The program is accredited through the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE), where it was recently featured in an ACCE spotlight, and is a member of the Associated Schools of Construction, a national organization of universities with construction-oriented curricula.
With industry support and through a phased approach, the program will be increasing student enrollment while continuing to invest in faculty with significant industry experience to support its hands-on, experiential curriculum. The program will strategically increase enrollments to admit approximately 75 students annually over the next three years with an overall goal of admitting 100 students annually.
The school has received support from several companies to help support the program’s growth, including from Spokane-based Fisher Construction Group and Lydig Construction Inc.
“Fisher Construction Group needs a consistent flow of new talent to help push our company forward,” said Corey Anderson, executive vice president. “WSU construction management program graduates are consistently better prepared and are a higher caliber of young professionals than their counterparts at other schools. In our unique markets, we need people ready for challenges, who can solve problems and are ready for hard work. We believe in the curriculum they are teaching and have relationships with the faculty teaching the WSU students, so we know the quality of the education these graduates are receiving. WSU is doing its part to prepare the next generation of industry leaders, making it a worthwhile investment — not only in their future, but in ours as well.”
The program’s expansion will strengthen the future of construction and ensure a highly skilled construction workforce in the Pacific Northwest, said Joe Williams, president of Lydig Construction.
“As a Washington State University alumnus and President of Lydig Construction, I believe we have a responsibility to help develop the next generation of construction leaders,” he said. “WSU has built one of the nation’s strongest construction management programs by working closely with industry, and we’re proud to support its continued expansion. The program consistently produces graduates with the technical knowledge, leadership skills, and practical experience our industry needs.”
Earlier this year, the program also celebrated the opening of a new industry-supported learning space for construction management students. The Prime Electric and MacDonald-Miller Classroom in Construction Management serves as a dedicated hub for hands-on learning, collaborative project work, and advanced construction technology education.
“We are excited about the road ahead,” said Peschel. “WSU is building on its legacy of excellence and strengthening its ability to deliver well-prepared graduates ready to contribute to the industry from day one.”
