Education

Professional & Leadership Development

Elevating Skills, Strengthening Leaders, Advancing California’s Construction Industry

At UCON, we are passionate about elevating leaders in the construction industry through comprehensive education and training. Our programs—taught by experienced labor staff—include the Project Management Career Advancement (PMCA) series, Project Engineer Bootcamp, Executive Leadership training, and free on-demand resources exclusively for members. These courses sharpen skills in project management, leadership, technical effectiveness, communication, and safety.

Professional development isn’t just nice to have—it drives retention and addresses the industry’s most pressing workforce challenges. Research shows that organizations offering robust training and leadership programs see over 30–35% higher employee retention than those that don’t. At the same time, contractors nationwide invested $1.6 billion in workforce development in 2023, with more than 1.3 million course attendances reported. Yet over 90% of firms still struggle to find qualified workers, especially in project management, supervisory, and leadership roles. UCON’s commitment to continuous learning directly tackles this skills gap, helping members retain talent, build loyalty, and stay competitive and future-ready.

Whether you’re stepping into your first lead role, supervising a project, or guiding corporate strategy, our education program is designed to build capability, confidence, and career growth.

Link to Professional Development Calendar 

  • Leadership Development Programs

    Building the Next Generation of Construction Leaders

    Advance your career with UCON’s leadership training—programs for field leaders, project managers, and executives in California construction.

    Executive Leadership 

    An exclusive, invite-only two-day intensive for senior construction leaders, focused on leading yourself, leading teams, and leading the industry. Highly rated and regarded by past participants, this flagship program has been running since 2018 and has graduated over 100 executives across California’s construction industry.
     

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  • Continuing Education Courses

    Practical Training for Everyday Challenges

    Stay compliant and competitive with UCON’s construction training. Courses cover labor, communication, project skills, and workforce essentials.

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  • February 03, 2026 10:00am  -  May 12, 2026 1:00pm PST

    • 2026 Project Management Career Advancement (PMCA) [Virtual]

    VIA ZOOM | WEEKLY ON TUESDAYS
    2026 Project Management Career Advancement (PMCA) [Virtual]

    This innovative program delivers the core principles of Construction Project Management through an engaging, interactive learning experience designed to strengthen teamwork and enhance overall job performance.

    The courses offered in this 'thirteen-week [virtual]' program go deeper, are more interactive, include hands-on activities and break-out sessions that the courses offered to the general membership do not possess.

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  • January 29, 2026 12:00pm  -  1:00pm PST

    • Basics & Best Practices Apprenticeship

    Basics & Best Practices Apprenticeship

    This class will accelerate any level of proficiency in the apprenticeship system to fluent. Starting with apprenticeship fundamentals, the course provides a clearly defined process on how to navigate both union and public works apprenticeship systems. The modules cap off with how to navigate key enforcement and legal issues, as well as best practices regarding sponsoring apprenticeships and getting the most out of your apprentices.

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  • February 19, 2026 12:00pm  -  1:00pm PST

    • Best Practices Dispatching, Hiring, Lay-offs, & Termination (S. CA)

    Best Practices Dispatching, Hiring, Lay-offs, & Termination (S. CA)

    Designed for field leaders, ops, and HR professionals, this course will upskill participants the do’s and don’ts of hiring, firing, lay-offs and terminations as a union contractor.

    If you want to get the most out of the dispatch system, avoid costly grievances and lawsuits, and easily navigate the hiring hall to more easily secure the talent you need, then this class is for you.  

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  • February 26, 2026 12:00pm  -  1:00pm PST

    • Best Practices Dispatching, Hiring, Lay-offs, & Termination (N. CA)

    Best Practices Dispatching, Hiring, Lay-offs, & Termination (N. CA)

    Designed for Field leaders, Ops, and HR professionals, this course will upskill participants on the do’s and don'ts of hiring, firing, lay-offs and terminations as a union contractor.

    If you want to get the most out of the dispatch system, avoid costly grievances and lawsuits, and easily navigate the hiring hall to more easily secure the talent you need, then this class is for you.  

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  • February 12, 2026 2:00pm  -  4:00pm PST

    • AI for Construction Management: Practical Tools for Everyday Projects

    AI for Construction Management: Practical Tools for Everyday Projects

    This course explores how artificial intelligence can be strategically used to improve project management efficiency, accuracy, and profitability. Participants will gain a practical understanding of how AI supports project planning, financial forecasting, risk management, and leadership decision-making.

    Designed for professionals who want to future-proof their roles, this session helps construction teams harness AI to enhance productivity, optimize communication, and lead projects with confidence in a data-driven world.

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  • April 07, 2026 4:00pm  -  8:00pm PDT

    • The Five Minute Foreman: Mastering the People Side of Construction [NorCal]

    Capacity: 100 attendees.
    The Five Minute Foreman: Mastering the People Side of Construction [NorCal]

    Be recognized as a Professional Foreman, Leader, and Manager!

    The Five Minute Foreman isn’t just a workshop—it’s a bestselling leadership book that has shaped the careers of thousands of construction leaders. With 70,000+ books distributed and 20,000+ field leaders trained, it’s become the industry’s go-to leadership system for the people who build the work.

    Top contractors—including API Group, Mortenson, and Michels—rely on this proven training to strengthen field leadership, elevate communication, and drive consistent job-site results.

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“UCON features great people who know how to lead and educate.”

- Albert Agbulos, Robert A Bothman Construction.

  • October 14, 2025 2:30pm  -  4:30pm PDT

    • The Life Cycle of Estimating

    The Life Cycle of Estimating

    With the technology available to the industry, it is possible to price work utilizing data instead of estimating software with the "hope" that it contains the correct information to help land the job, and not lose profit. During this session, we ·will discuss the life cycle of estimating and the critical path of information that must be shared through the get work, do work, and keep score functions to allow for this critical information to be gathered, extracted, and utilized.

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  • November 04, 2025 2:30pm  -  4:30pm PST

    • 2025 Harassment Prevention Training

    2025 Harassment Prevention Training

    Under SB 1343, all California companies with 5 or more employees must provide sexual harassment training to all employees. Non-supervisory employees must receive at least one hour of sexual harassment training, and supervisors must receive at least two hours of sexual harassment training.

    This training must be renewed every two years and provided to new hires within six months of their hire date or promotion to a supervisory position.

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  • November 13, 2025 10:00am  -  12:00pm PST

    • Member Exclusive LCPtracker Training

    In-person event | Limit: 16 participants
    Member Exclusive LCPtracker Training

    Certified payroll reporting doesn’t have to be complicated. In this member exclusive, in-person session, you’ll see how LCPtracker streamlines compliance, helps you avoid costly mistakes and empowers your team. Whether you’re just starting in construction or the go-to expert, we’ll explore the Contractor/Subcontractor module and share practical tips and resources to help keep your projects running smoothly. 

    Attendees can pre-submit their questions or ask during the session. [email questions to lcastro@unitedcontractors.org]

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  • November 18, 2025 12:00pm  -  1:00pm PST

    • UCON’s 2025 Legislative Recap

    UCON’s 2025 Legislative Recap

    Join us for UCON’s 2025 Legislative Recap, an inside look at this year’s most important industry policy battles and outcomes.

    Learn from UCON’s Government Relations team as they unpack the key outcomes of the 2025 legislative session and what they mean for union contractors statewide.

    From the bills we championed to improve contractor cash flow and protect highway worker safety, to the harmful proposals we defeated, this session will give you the insights you need to stay informed and prepared.

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  • December 09, 2025 2:30pm  -  4:30pm PST

    • 2025 New Industry Law Updates

    2025 New Industry Law Updates

    Get up to date with new construction industry employment laws affecting your organization’s policies and practices.

    This program will discuss new laws and court decisions and provide strategies on how to implement new requirements at your company. 

    What You Will Learn

    • Review the labor & employment laws that were passed in 2025 that will affect the Construction Industry
    • Discuss what the new laws mean for you.
    • Discuss the implementation of the new requirements

    Target Audience

    UCON Members
     

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