Can You Go To Trade School For Construction Management?

Breaking Into Construction Management Without a Degree

We started our own construction company, Lean Built, in Phoenix, Arizona, about two years ago. Projects have gone really well, but when it came time to hire for craft positions – carpenters, laborers, an equipment operator, I quickly ran into a challenge.

I began researching trade schools and technical institutes, only to find many had shut down their specialized programs like carpentry and welding. Even worse, I couldn’t find programs that directly focused on construction management. It was disappointing.

But here’s the good news: even without trade schools dedicated to construction management, there are resources out there – from books like those we provide at Elevate Construction to programs with NCCER for foremen, project managers, and superintendents.

Let’s break down the key questions I often get about entering construction management.

Do You Need a degree to Be a Superintendent or Project Manager?

The short answer: no. A degree might help you get your foot in the door, but success doesn’t depend on it.

Think of it like a Mission Impossible movie. Just as Ethan Hunt breaks into a secure building, you need that same tenacity to break into construction. Can you take an internship? Start as a laborer, carpenter, or admin and work your way up? Call on family, friends, or connections to get started?

That’s exactly how I got in. My dad was a ready-mix driver who introduced me to the sales lead of a massive prison project. I started as a cement mason, then worked my way up through field engineering. The lesson: your drive matters more than a degree.

Can You Move into Construction Management After Trade School or Apprenticeship?

Yes – if the opportunity is there and you make the most of it. To succeed, you must:

1. Work extremely hard in a responsible, intelligent way.
2. Ask more questions than you’ve ever asked before.
3. Volunteer for uncomfortable tasks and take initiative.

When I was early in my career, I even bootlegged AutoCAD, taught myself, and convinced my superintendent to let me manage lift drawings. Taking ownership like this will get you noticed and promoted.

What’s the Fastest Path from the Field to Leadership?

The quickest way up is to demonstrate leadership qualities in the field: stay clean, safe, organized, and professional. Use technology, take notes, and dress the part.

The best training ground? Field engineering. It’s not the most popular opinion, but a role that blends office and field skills will accelerate your growth. Pair this with some education, and you’ll create your own fast track.

How Do You Prove You’re Ready Without College?

Act like college already prepared you – by being professional, organized, and mature. Create a personal organization system, master technology, and surround yourself with positive influences.

If you show up late, unprepared, and resistant to technology, you’ll send the wrong message. But if you consistently step up, look the part, and act responsibly, you’ll prove you’re ready for construction management.

Do Trade Schools Teach Construction Management?

Right now, very few – if any trade schools focus on construction management, at least in places like Phoenix. Even if they did, you’d only learn the basics.

Think of it this way: a degree or trade program is like passing the physical test to enter military boot camp. The real training the actual skills come on the job.

That’s why I recommend focusing on industry resources like:

• Elevating Construction Foreman.
• Elevating Construction Field Engineers.
• Elevating Construction Superintendents.
• Industry programs like AGC and DBIA trainings.
• Mentorship and real-world projects.

Final Advice

Degrees and trade schools are simply tickets to get in. The real growth happens on the job. In my experience, I’ve never seen someone directly apply what they learned in school to construction management.

Instead, focus on:

• Working hard.
• Asking questions.
• Implementing fast.
• Volunteering and stepping out of your comfort zone.

That’s how you’ll win in construction management.

Key Takeaway:

A degree might open doors, but your grit, initiative, and professionalism will define your success in construction management.