Grand Canyon University and McCarthy Building Cos. have expanded the university’s Center for Workforce Development to include four new trades.

The partnership is launching the Pre-Apprentice Construction General Pathway this fall with civil construction and mechanical/plumbing. That will be followed by HVAC and concrete in fall 2026.

“This program is a win-win,” said Eric Fields, regional self-perform leader for McCarthy’s Southwest region, in a press release. “Students are introduced to well-paying career paths in the construction trades, and employers get candidates who are informed and committed to developing their careers in the construction industry.”

This pre-apprenticeship builds on a model that has graduated more than 490 electrical pre-apprenticeship and manufacturing CNC machinist students since 2022. Many participants are first-generation college students or career changers. Graduates complete two semesters of training that combine exposure to technical instruction, general education courses and life skills such as financial literacy and workplace readiness.

Participants receive training similar to the electrical program but will benefit from hands-on courses that focus on each of the new trade skills.

Students benefit from hands-on exposure to industry workplaces and formal interviews with employers that prepare them to enter an apprenticeship program — including partnerships with the East Valley Institute of Technology for continued training.

“GCU is proud to work with McCarthy to create meaningful opportunities for students who might not otherwise have thought about or known how to pursue a career in construction,” said Shelly Seitz, director of GCU’s Center for Workforce Development, in a press release. “With the right industry support, we can scale this model and prepare more skilled workers for in-demand trades while assisting young people with finding a lucrative long-term career.”

Applications for the next cohort begin this fall, with classes starting in September 2026. Industry partners interested in hiring graduates or sponsoring future cohorts can learn more by contacting GCU’s Center for Workforce Development office at Trades@gcu.edu.