Palm Beach State College is launching three new construction programs in fall 2025, supported by a $4.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Strengthening Community College Training Grants (SCC4) program. This four-year grant, which began in May 2024 and runs through June 2028, will expand PBSC’s capacity to prepare students for high-demand careers in the construction sector. PBSC was also one of five institutions selected to participate in a national impact evaluation to assess employment outcomes for students.
The PBSC4C – Completion, Collaboration and Culture in Construction project is introducing three new programs: the Plumbing Career Certificate, the Building Trades and Construction Design Career Certificate and the Carpentry Career Certificate. These programs will be offered at Palm Beach State College’s Lake Worth campus, with plans to expand to the Palm Beach Gardens campus. Enrollment opened in July, with each cohort limited to 20 students. Due to high demand, these are controlled access programs, and students must meet all requirements, including taking the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) exam, attending a mandatory information session and meeting with the Trade and Industry advisor. The next information session will be held on July 9 at the Lake Worth campus.
These programs can be completed in just one year, allowing students to quickly enter the workforce and begin earning. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters is $62,970, with employment projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033—faster than the average for all occupations. Many job openings are expected due to the need to replace workers leaving the labor force, particularly those retiring. Carpenters earn a median annual wage of $59,310, with employment expected to grow 4 percent over the same period. General maintenance and repair workers had a median annual wage of $48,620, with a projected employment growth of 5 percent.
The College aims to align its construction programs with regional labor market demands by working closely with local employers. Additional goals of the project include establishing advisory committees for all construction pathways and promoting interdisciplinary skills training. This will be supported by co-locating programs in the new Construction Technologies Center for Workforce Innovation once the facility is complete.
“The new construction trades programs at PBSC were created in direct response to the urgent and growing demand for skilled workers in our region,” said Eligio Marquez Veray, PBSC district associate dean of trade and industry. “As we launch these offerings at the Lake Worth campus and plan for future expansion, we are committed to supporting both our students’ success and the economic vitality of our community.”
Beyond the new programs, the PBSC4C project will also enhance four existing construction related programs, Electrician, HVAC, HVAC/R and Low-Voltage, through skills training, industry partnerships and the integration of new technologies.