ACCE PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT
- Chip Mansfield
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
As part of our continued communication effort, we are highlighting specific accredited programs within the ACCE system. These are randomly selected schools, professional development programs, and workforce initiatives. Hopefully, this will help the ACCE community develop an even greater appreciation for the efforts made in accreditation, reaccreditation, and certification. Enjoy this feature on the first Construction Workforce Institution accredited by the American Council for Construction Education, Western States College of Construction.
Western States College of Construction: Building the Future of Construction Through Registered Apprenticeships and ACCE Accreditation
The construction industry is facing one of the greatest workforce challenges in its history. As experienced craft professionals retire and demand for skilled construction talent continues to grow, the need for innovative educational pathways has never been greater.
Western States College of Construction (WSCC) has positioned itself at the forefront of that effort by combining nationally recognized Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs), industry partnerships, and American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) accreditation to prepare the next generation of highly skilled construction professionals.
Located in Colorado and Wyoming, Western States College of Construction has created an educational model centered around one simple philosophy: students learn best by doing.
Through apprenticeship education, students spend most of their training working alongside experienced professionals while simultaneously completing rigorous classroom instruction. The result is an education that produces graduates who are job-ready on day one while earning a competitive wage throughout their studies. For the latest WSCC updates, please visit https://westernstatescollege.org/newsletter/
Registered Apprenticeship Programs: A Proven Workforce Solution
Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) have long been recognized as one of the most successful methods for developing America's skilled workforce. Registered through the U.S. Department of Labor, these programs combine paid on-the-job learning with structured classroom education to create a comprehensive educational experience that benefits both apprentices and employers.
At Western States College of Construction, apprentices receive practical experience while pursuing careers in:
Plumbing
Pipefitting
HVACR
Sheet Metal
Unlike many traditional educational models, apprentices earn wages and benefits while they learn.
Graduates complete their education with little or no student debt while simultaneously accumulating valuable work experience that employers seek.
This "earn while you learn" approach creates a powerful return on investment for both students and the construction industry.
Building the Construction Workforce Pipeline
One of the unique strengths of WSCC is its commitment to workforce development long before students enter a Registered Apprenticeship Program.
The college recently introduced its BOOST Pre-Apprenticeship Program, a 72-hour foundational program designed to prepare individuals for entry into construction careers. Participants gain hands-on exposure to multiple trades while earning OSHA 10 safety certification and developing essential skills in construction math, blueprint reading, professionalism, interviewing, and tool usage.
Programs like BOOST help reduce barriers to entry while giving prospective apprentices a realistic understanding of the construction industry before entering a competitive apprenticeship program. They also provide employers with candidates who already possess foundational knowledge and a demonstrated commitment to the profession.
This intentional career pathway—from pre-apprenticeship to Registered Apprenticeship to degree completion—represents a comprehensive approach to workforce development that is becoming increasingly important nationwide.
Why ACCE Accreditation Matters
While Registered Apprenticeships operate under established nationally recognized training standards, accreditation adds another critical layer of educational quality assurance.
The American Council for Construction Education has long been recognized as the leading accrediting body for quality construction education. In recent years, ACCE expanded its mission to include Construction Workforce Education accreditation, recognizing the growing importance of apprenticeship-based education in addressing the nation's skilled labor shortage.
Western States College of Construction was the first institution to successfully earn ACCE accreditation for its apprenticeship programs, demonstrating that its curriculum, faculty, leadership, assessment processes, student outcomes, and continuous improvement efforts meet nationally recognized standards.
For students, ACCE accreditation provides confidence that they are receiving a quality education that has been independently evaluated by construction educators and industry professionals.
For employers, accreditation assures that graduates possess the technical competencies, safety awareness, and professional skills necessary to contribute immediately on the jobsite.
For the construction industry, accreditation helps create consistency and accountability across workforce education programs while encouraging continuous improvement.
Beyond Technical Skills
Construction careers require far more than technical expertise. Leadership, communication, teamwork, ethics, and professionalism increasingly distinguish successful craft professionals and future supervisors.
Recognizing this reality, WSCC offers its Professionalism in Construction program, which, when combined with completion of a Registered Apprenticeship Program, leads to an Associate of Occupational Studies degree accredited by ACCE. The program focuses on developing leadership capabilities that prepare graduates for long-term career advancement beyond the tools of their trade.
This emphasis on lifelong learning reflects the evolving needs of today's construction industry, where technology, project delivery methods, and workforce expectations continue to change.
Industry Partnerships Drive Success
Perhaps the greatest strength of the Registered Apprenticeship model is the close collaboration between education and industry.
Employers help shape curriculum, provide real-world training opportunities, and ensure graduates possess the competencies today's construction projects demand. Students benefit from mentorship, networking opportunities, and meaningful employment throughout their education, while employers develop a reliable pipeline of highly trained professionals.
This partnership between education and industry is precisely the type of collaboration ACCE seeks to encourage through its accreditation standards.
A National Model for Construction Workforce Education
As construction workforce shortages continue across the United States, institutions like Western States College of Construction demonstrate how Registered Apprenticeship Programs, industry engagement, and nationally recognized accreditation can work together to build sustainable career pathways.
By combining paid on-the-job learning, classroom instruction, leadership development, and ACCE-accredited educational quality, WSCC is preparing graduates not only for their first job but for lifelong careers in construction.
For students seeking rewarding careers, employers searching for skilled talent, and educators committed to excellence, Western States College of Construction represents an outstanding example of what modern construction workforce education can achieve.
Through ACCE accreditation, that commitment to quality is independently validated—providing confidence that graduates are prepared to build the projects, communities, and infrastructure that will shape the future of the construction industry.
That is all for now! More program highlights to come!!
Steve Nellis
President / CEO American Council for Construction Education Steve.Nellis@ACCE-HQ.org www.acce-hq.org
