Construction firms continue to expand internship and cooperative education programs to strengthen the industry's future workforce. Kokosing has welcomed a record class of 108 summer co-op students for 2026, providing practical field and office experience across its construction operations.
The 2026 co-op class includes students from more than 38 colleges and universities. Participants have been assigned to projects throughout the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, where they will gain experience across multiple construction disciplines and business units.
The program is designed to provide students with practical exposure to construction operations while supporting workforce development efforts across the company's regional projects.
In addition to their day-to-day assignments, the students participated in Kokosing's annual Road Rally, a two-day event that brought together co-op participants from multiple locations.
The program included project site visits, networking opportunities and discussions with former co-op students who have since joined the company in full-time positions, offering participants additional insight into career paths within the construction industry.
As contractors continue to address long-term workforce needs, cooperative education programs play an important role in developing future construction professionals. By providing hands-on project experience and early career development opportunities, firms can strengthen their talent pipeline while helping students transition from academic programs into the construction workforce.
Source: Kokosing.
