{"id":52778,"date":"2026-02-19T15:17:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T20:17:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=52778"},"modified":"2026-02-19T15:55:58","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T20:55:58","slug":"building-the-future-workforce-acc-partners-with-sundt-to-expand-skilled-trades-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/newsroom\/2026\/02\/19\/building-the-future-workforce-acc-partners-with-sundt-to-expand-skilled-trades-training\/","title":{"rendered":"Building the Future Workforce: ACC Partners With Sundt to Expand Skilled Trades Training"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Austin Community College District and Sundt Construction host a partnership signing event at ACC Riverside Campus in Austin on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. The collaboration will expand craft trade training and align skilled craft education with in-demand construction jobs across Central Texas.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Central Texas\u2019 growing demand for skilled construction workers is driving a new partnership focused on preparing the region\u2019s future workforce. Austin Community College District (ACC) and Sundt Construction<\/a> (Sundt) officially signed a new partnership Thursday, February 19, at ACC\u2019s Riverside Campus to expand craft trade training and strengthen long-term talent development across the region.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cSundt offers both registered and non-registered apprenticeships, and they hire our students while they\u2019re in school and pay them. It\u2019s the true earn-and-learn model we plan to use with our industry partners moving forward,\u201d said ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart. \u201cThese are high-demand programs that are critical to our region\u2019s infrastructure. They benefit not just the College or our students but they\u2019re part of our economic impact, leading to higher wages. That means less poverty, less reliance on assistance, and greater prosperity across the entire ecosystem.\u201d<\/p>\n

The collaboration aligns education with industry demand as the construction sector faces ongoing labor shortages nationwide. According to Associated Builders and Contractors<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

“Our partnership with Austin Community College creates long-term opportunities in the skilled trades. By aligning education with the needs of the industry, we\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

Sundt, a major construction firm currently leading projects such as the 183 North Mobility Project<\/a> in Central Texas, will work alongside ACC to ensure the curriculum reflects real workforce needs and creates direct pipelines into employment.<\/p>\n

Through the partnership, ACC and Sundt will work together to:<\/p>\n