The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is expanding its engineering and technology management bachelor’s degree program with a new construction management concentration, designed to prepare students for careers in the booming construction industry. Set to begin this fall, the concentration aims to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in the construction field.

The curriculum offers a comprehensive mix of technical expertise, business acumen, and hands-on training, ensuring graduates are ready for a variety of roles, including construction project managers, estimators, schedulers, and safety specialists. Additionally, the program’s embedded minor in business provides students with vital managerial and financial skills.

Dr. Jaimie Hebert, the university's provost, emphasized the importance of this concentration in supporting workforce development and economic growth in Louisiana, where the construction industry is expected to see a significant rise in demand. The Louisiana Workforce Commission forecasts a 17.8% increase in employment for construction professionals between 2022 and 2032.

“The addition of the concentration underscores the University’s essential role in helping to spur workforce development and economic growth,” said Hebert.

Dean Dr. Ahmed Khattab highlighted that the program is specifically tailored to meet the needs of Louisiana’s expanding infrastructure projects. The course offerings include subjects like cost estimating, project management, industrial safety, and building information modeling, blending elements of engineering, technology, and construction management.

This initiative reflects the university’s commitment to providing its students with the knowledge and skills to excel in one of the state’s most vital and rapidly growing sectors.