Alamo Colleges District Hosts Construction Industry Leaders at St. Philip’s College Southwest Campus
September 3, 2026
The Alamo Colleges District welcomed representatives from the Associated General Contractors of America, National Center for Construction Education & Research and the local construction industry to the St. Philip’s College Southwest Campus on Thursday for a firsthand look at programs preparing students for careers in the skilled trades.
The tour included construction and technical training spaces and learning how students receive hands-on instruction in construction technology, electrical trades, plumbing, air conditioning and refrigeration, welding and other technical fields.
With more than 17,500 career and technical education enrollments last fall, the Alamo Colleges District is one of Texas’ largest providers of CTE and the region’s leading provider of workforce education. That includes 1,592 students enrolled in construction related trades preparing for careers in construction technology, electrical trades, plumbing, welding, HVAC and power generation.
“We hear consistently from employers that the demand for skilled construction professionals continues to grow,” said Alamo Colleges District Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores. “Across San Antonio, new and expanding businesses, major manufacturing investments, infrastructure projects and continued residential and commercial development are creating opportunities—and increasing competition for skilled workers.”
St. Philip’s College President Dr. Adena Williams Loston shared how the college’s technical programs connect classroom learning with the skills employers are looking for.
The visit coincided with the release of AGC and NCCER’s 2026 construction workforce survey, which examines workforce shortages, competition for skilled workers, project delays and the steps contractors are taking to recruit, train and retain employees.
The event highlighted the important connection between education and industry as employers look for qualified workers and students seek career pathways that can lead directly to employment.
Through its five colleges, the Alamo Technical Institute and nearly $1 billion in voter-approved investments—including $130M planned investment in a Center of Construction Technology, a Center of Applied Technology and investment in existing programs—the Alamo Colleges are expanding programs, facilities and training capacity across the District to meet local workforce demand.