A Department of Education‑funded pilot will offer 300 Missourians no-cost training to help them access high‑skill, high‑demand and high‑wage construction careers.
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Missouri is facing a construction workforce shortage. As massive infrastructure investments ramp up and experienced workers retire, employers across the state are struggling to find qualified construction managers, supervisors, inspectors and technical specialists.
The Associated Builders and Contractors say the U.S. industry needs roughly 350,000 additional workers in 2026 to keep pace with demand, and roughly 90% of Missouri contractors report hiring difficulties, according to the Associated General Contractors of Missouri.
Traditional college degree programs alone cannot meet the urgency of that demand. To address this challenge, the University of Missouri has launched the Missouri Construction Pathways Initiative (McPIe) — a four‑year, $1.89 million workforce development project funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE).
Running from February 2026 through January 2030, McPIe is designed to move Missourians quickly into high‑skill, high‑demand, high‑wage construction careers while also creating new, flexible entry points into higher education.
McPIe is one of only 22 projects selected nationally, and one of just two in Missouri, under FIPSE’s priority for Creation of New High‑Quality Short‑Term Programs. That distinction places Mizzou at the center of a national effort to rethink how colleges train adults for today’s workforce.
Email careeraccelerator@missouri.edu for more information and updates
At the heart of McPIe are 11 new short‑term training programs, each designed to be completed in eight to 15 weeks. These programs focus on in-demand occupations such as construction project leadership, safety and risk management, digital construction and estimating, surveying, and heavy equipment operations.
“These programs are about moving people quickly into high‑demand workforce areas,” said Praveen Edara, principal investigator for the initiative. “They’re also about helping people already in the field gain the skills they need to move ahead.”
McPIe will be delivered statewide with the support of MU Extension offices, which will provide local access points, advising support and infrastructure.
Unlike traditional academic programs, McPIe courses are intensive and highly applied. Learners will combine online instruction with hands‑on, real‑world experiences, including work‑based learning, employer‑designed projects, and immersive augmented‑ and virtual‑reality simulations. These tools allow students to practice complex and high‑risk construction tasks in realistic digital environments, improving both technical mastery and safety awareness.
Designed for nontraditional learners
McPIe is built for people who need flexible, efficient pathways into good jobs. Target participants include working adults, unemployed or underemployed individuals, veterans, rural learners, community college students and workers already in the construction industry seeking advancement. The short-term training programs are designed to meet Workforce Pell requirements.
During the grant‑funded pilot period, all McPIe programs will be offered at no cost to Missourians. Over four years, the initiative aims to serve at least 300 learners, giving participants access to high‑quality training without the financial risk that often accompanies career changes.
A key strength of McPIe is its partnership structure. The initiative is led by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Missouri College of Engineering, including Edara, Carlos Sun, Patrick Earney, Henry Brown and Zhu Qing, with Sarah Rielley and the MU Extension Career Accelerator playing a central role.
Through MU Extension, McPIe will be delivered statewide. Extension offices will provide local access points, advising support and infrastructure — critical for rural communities where training options are often limited.
Industry partners are also deeply embedded in the initiative to ensure that programs stay aligned with real job demands. Contractors, the Missouri Department of Transportation and members of the Construction Management Industry Consortium will help shape the curriculum, validate skills and create work‑based learning opportunities through an industry advisory council.
A gateway, not just a credential
While McPIe is workforce‑first, it’s also designed as a gentle on‑ramp to further education. Learners may complete a single short‑term program for immediate employment or, if they choose, use their experience to explore advanced certificates.
“Not everyone is ready to commit to a four‑year degree,” Edara said. “This gives people a way to dip their toe in the water, gain valuable skills, and then decide what’s next.”
As Missouri invests billions in infrastructure and construction projects, McPIe represents a timely response — blending speed, quality and access. By connecting Missourians to opportunity and employers to talent, the initiative is helping build not just roads and bridges, but the future of the state’s workforce.
For more information and updates, email the MU Career Accelerator at careeraccelerator@missouri.edu.