Oregon Tech’s growing Construction Management program has received a major boost as the Oregon Tech Foundation secured $500,000 from the Beavers Charitable Trust to expand workforce development efforts and strengthen opportunities for students pursuing careers in heavy construction.
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The funding will support the Beavers Charitable Trust Scholarship and the specialized Heavy Construction Management option within the university’s newly launched Construction Management bachelor's program. Designed to equip students with technical, managerial, and leadership skills, the program emphasizes hands-on learning and close collaboration with industry experts.
Dave Miles, Board Chair for the Beavers Charitable Trust, highlighted the importance of investing in construction education. “Investing in the future of construction management is essential for ensuring the continued growth of the industry,” Miles said. He added that the Trust values Oregon Tech’s applied learning model, noting, “Oregon Tech’s commitment to applied, hands-on learning is vital for shaping this workforce with highly skilled new people. We look forward to watching this program grow and become a strong career option for new generations of students.”
Founded in 1977, the Beavers Charitable Trust maintains a permanent endowment dedicated exclusively to scholarships and grants that support students entering the heavy construction field. Their long-standing mission aligns closely with Oregon Tech’s focus on developing industry-ready graduates.
Neslihan Alp, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Engineering, Technology, and Management, expressed deep appreciation for the partnership, stating, "We are profoundly grateful to the Beavers Charitable Trust for this investment in Oregon Tech’s Construction Management program.” She added, “By directing scholarship support to the heavy construction track, the Trust is expanding access for talented students, strengthening our hands-on, polytechnic approach, and accelerating the preparation of career-ready graduates for Oregon’s critical infrastructure needs. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to workforce excellence and community impact, and it will meaningfully enhance recruitment, retention, and student success for years to come."
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The Construction Management program officially launched this fall with support from the Trust, industry partners, donors, and Oregon Tech’s Business Management, Civil Engineering, and Geomatics departments. The interdisciplinary curriculum was designed with direct input from construction companies to ensure graduates can meet evolving workforce demands.
Interim Program Director Professor Jared Emard said industry involvement is already shaping the program’s future. “I am excited to see the interest and involvement from our many industry partners as the program grows,” Emard said. “Oregon Tech is well-positioned to deliver practical curriculum and hands-on education for the next generation of construction professionals, and Beavers Trust scholarships are making it possible for so many of my students.”
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Construction Management will be prepared for roles in construction firms, heavy civil contractors, government agencies, municipal departments, and other infrastructure-related organizations.
The $500,000 investment comes as Oregon faces increasing demand for construction professionals amid major infrastructure upgrades, workforce shortages, and accelerated public works spending. The Heavy Construction Management track specifically addresses critical needs in transportation, highway, civil works, and large-scale infrastructure projects.
Oregon Tech officials note that the partnership with the Beavers Charitable Trust not only enhances student affordability but also builds a pipeline of workforce-ready graduates capable of stepping into key industry roles immediately after graduation.
The program’s launch is also part of a broader expansion of Oregon Tech’s engineering and applied sciences portfolio, reflecting its mission as the state’s only public polytechnic university. With ongoing involvement from contractors and public agencies, the university expects enrollment in the Construction Management track to grow significantly over the next several years.
Originally reported by Oregon Tech.
