AUSTIN. (Feb. 19, 2026) – Austin Community College and Sundt Construction officially signed a new partnership to expand craft trade training and strengthen long-term talent development across the region.
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 the local economy.
“Sundt offers both registered and non-registered apprenticeships, and they hire our students while they’re in school and pay them. It’s the true earn-and-learn model we plan to use with our industry partners moving forward,” said ACC Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart. “These are high-demand programs that are critical to our region’s infrastructure. They benefit not just the college or our students but they’re part of our economic impact, leading to higher wages. That means less poverty, less reliance on assistance, and greater prosperity across the entire ecosystem.”
The collaboration aligns education with industry demand as the construction sector faces ongoing labor shortages nationwide.
“Our partnership with Austin Community College creates long-term opportunities in the skilled trades. By aligning education with the needs of industry, we’re 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.
Through the partnership, ACC and Sundt will work together to:
- Co-create construction and skilled craft training programs
- Align curriculum with industry-recognized credentials
- Develop pre-apprenticeship pathways that lead directly to registered apprenticeships
Students participating in ACC’s workforce training programs also shared how hands-on learning and industry partnerships help connect education to real career opportunities.
“This program gave me real-world experience beyond the classroom through our projects. It showed me what to expect outside of the trade,” said Alfredo Gonzalez, ACC student and Sundt employee-owner. “I didn’t want to go to college at first. I tried going straight to work, but it didn’t work out. So I went to college, and now I’m in a position that’s helping me build a career doing what I actually want to do.”
About Sundt
Sundt Construction, Inc. (www.sundt.com) is one of the country’s largest and most respected general contractors. The 136-year-old firm specializes in transportation, water and wastewater, advanced facilities, heavy industrial and mining, building, concrete and renewable power work and is owned entirely by its 4,500 employees. Sundt is distinguished by its diverse capabilities and experience, unique employee-ownership culture and depth of self-perform expertise in multiple trades. Much of Sundt’s workforce is comprised of skilled craft professionals who, together with the company’s administrative employees, enable Sundt to fulfill its mission to be the most skilled builder in America. Sundt has 13 offices throughout California, Arizona, North Carolina, Texas, Washington, Utah and Florida and is currently ranked the country’s 46th largest construction company by ENR, the industry’s principal trade magazine.