HOUSTON, Texas — Burns & McDonnell, a Kansas City, Missouri-based contractor, has officially launched its Houston Construction Academy, a 14,000-square-foot training facility dedicated to educating and upskilling the next generation of craft professionals. The academy, located in Pearland, Texas, will provide both online knowledge assessments and hands-on training to develop skilled construction workers across multiple trades.

In addition to on-campus instruction, the program includes mobile training units that will travel to jobsites across the U.S., ensuring greater accessibility to education in the field.

“The Construction Academy is a bold step forward in our vision to be the premier provider of craft construction labor in the country,” said Brett Williams, president of the Construction Group at Burns & McDonnell.
“Through our combination of knowledge and hands-on assessments, we are equipping our construction professionals with the tools they need to be successful out in the field.”

Bridging the Skilled Labor Gap

The academy will focus on craft skills training in pipefitting, electrical work, carpentry, equipment operation, welding, ironworking, and rigging. Graduates will have the opportunity to work directly on Burns & McDonnell projects, helping meet the company’s growing demand for skilled professionals in critical industries such as:

✅ Oil & Gas
✅ Electrical Substations
✅ Solar Power & Battery Storage
✅ Water Infrastructure
✅ Aviation Fueling

“The Construction Academy will help us build a pipeline of highly skilled workers to meet growing industry needs,” said Jeff W. Rashall, vice president of Burns & McDonnell.
“By training and hiring talent directly, we ensure our teams are equipped with the expertise required to execute complex infrastructure projects safely and efficiently.”

A state-of-the-art skills assessment facility that simulates real-world jobsite conditions is slated for completion in 2026, further enhancing hands-on training opportunities.

A Growing Demand for Skilled Workers

According to Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), the construction industry will need to attract 439,000 net new workers in 2025 to meet increasing demand.

“If you’re a builder, particularly a nonresidential builder, what this indicates is that your main challenge in 2025 will continue to be finding workers to do the work,” said Anirban Basu, chief economist for ABC.

Basu emphasized the importance of structured training programs in addressing workforce shortages:

“That’s how we create a larger middle class—by exposing less experienced construction workers to training programs and apprenticeships that allow them to develop in-demand skill sets, whether in carpentry, electrical work, HVAC, or other critical trades.”

Despite a temporary slowdown in construction hiring in late 2024, largely attributed to cold weather and economic uncertainty, the need for skilled professionals remains high, particularly in energy, infrastructure, and commercial construction sectors.

A Commitment to Workforce Development

By launching the Houston Construction Academy, Burns & McDonnell is taking a proactive approach to building a stronger workforce for the future. Through on-site training, mobile units, and real-world skill assessments, the company is setting a new standard for construction education and workforce development.

For more information about Burns & McDonnell’s training programs, visit www.burnsmcd.com.

Originally reported by Zachary Phillips in Construction Dive.