5 PROGRAMS · ONE MISSION
Find Your Path.
Build Your Future.
SWD offers five distinct career pathways — from your first day in the trades all the way to running your own contracting business and winning government contracts. Every program is built for the people who need it most and designed to deliver results that last.
Not sure which program is right for you? Take our 2-minute program finder →
From Day One to Business Owner — SWD Has the Pathway.
Build It KC Pre-Apprenticeship
The 4-week pre-apprenticeship program that gets you certified, job-ready, and connected to trade employers in Kansas City.
See Program →GC Licensing Exam Prep
AI-powered study tools and a structured curriculum to pass your General Contractor licensing exam — powered by Study Buddy Pro.
See Program →Construction Entrepreneur
Everything you need to launch and grow your own construction business — from business formation to bidding to bookkeeping.
See Program →FLAGSHIP PROGRAM · FREE TO PARTICIPANTS
Build It KC
Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Four weeks. Real skills. A career that changes everything.
The Build It KC Pre-Apprenticeship Program is SWD's flagship initiative and the front door to everything we do. This 4-week, intensive program is designed to take someone with no construction background — or someone returning to the workforce after a gap — and transform them into a certified, employer-ready candidate with real hard skills, documented soft skills, and direct connections to Allied Trades, General Contractors, and Apprenticeship Programs across Kansas City.
This is not a job fair. This is not an orientation. This is structured, daily training that mirrors the expectations of a real job site — because that's exactly what participants are preparing for. SWD graduates don't just get a certificate. They get placed.
Program Structure: 4-Week Breakdown
Social Survival Skills
- Workplace communication and professional conduct
- Conflict management and supervisor relationships
- Reliability, attendance, and accountability frameworks
- Daily student journaling — reflection and self-assessment
- Pre-program skills assessment
Hard Skills Training (Part 1)
- Construction site safety — OSHA fundamentals
- Hand tools and power tools: identification and proper use
- Blueprint reading basics
- Material identification and handling
- Physical site awareness and safety protocols
Hard Skills Training (Part 2)
- Framing fundamentals
- Concrete and masonry basics
- Site layout and measurement
- On-the-job training assessment by instructors
- Post-program skills evaluation
Employment Services & Placement
- Job leads and direct employer introductions
- Resume preparation and interview coaching
- Connections to Allied Trades Apprenticeship Programs
- Connections to hiring employers — GC and subcontractor partners
- Employment plan documentation for each graduate
Program Details
What Graduates Receive
- Hard skills certification in construction trades fundamentals
- OSHA 10 certification
- SWD Pre-Apprenticeship Program certificate
- Direct employer referrals and job leads
- Priority enrollment in SWD's Registered Apprenticeship Program
- Access to Study Buddy Pro platform for continued learning
Employer Note: SWD Pre-Apprenticeship graduates are Section 3 eligible — qualifying as workforce participation for HUD-funded and federally supported commercial development projects. Employers who hire SWD graduates may satisfy their Section 3 workforce requirements.
FOR FUTURE CONTRACTORS · POWERED BY NAIL IT PRO
Construction Entrepreneur
Starter Business Course
You already have the skills. Now build the business.
The most skilled worker in the room is often the most underpaid — because they work for someone else's company. The Construction Entrepreneur Starter Business Course exists to change that. This program is built for construction professionals who are ready to stop trading time for wages and start building something of their own — a licensed, operating construction business.
Through SWD's partnership with Nail It Pro — Widerange Management Group's platform built specifically for construction entrepreneurs — participants get access to practical, structured business education designed for the trades. Not generic small business advice. Not MBA content dressed up for contractors. Real, practical business-building curriculum written by and for people in the construction industry.
What Participants Learn
Module 1 — Business Foundation
Business entity selection: LLC, S-Corp, Sole Proprietor — which is right for you?
How to register your business, get your EIN, and open a business bank account
Setting up your business legally and professionally from Day 1
Understanding contracts — what to sign, what to avoid, what to include
Module 2 — Licensing & Compliance
What licenses you need to operate legally in Missouri and Kansas
Insurance requirements: general liability, workers' comp, bonding
OSHA compliance as a business owner
How licensing connects to your GC exam prep
Module 3 — Estimating, Bidding & Proposals
How to build an accurate estimate — labor, materials, overhead, profit
Reading and responding to Requests for Proposal (RFPs)
Proposal writing that wins jobs
Common bidding mistakes and how to avoid them
Module 4 — Project Management & Operations
Running a job site: scheduling, crews, subcontractors
Change orders and scope management
Tracking project costs in real time
How to manage multiple jobs simultaneously
Module 5 — Bookkeeping & Financial Management
Basic bookkeeping for contractors — what you must track
Understanding cash flow vs. profit
Invoicing, collections, and managing receivables
Preparing for tax season as a contractor
When to hire a bookkeeper vs. DIY
Module 6 — Marketing, Sales & Growth
How to get your first 5 customers
Building a reputation through referrals and reviews
Creating a simple online presence for your contracting business
Using technology — AI tools, CRM basics — to run a more efficient operation
Scaling: when and how to hire your first employee
Every participant in this course gets access to Nail It Pro (nailitpro.app) — Widerange Management Group's platform built exclusively for construction entrepreneurs. Nail It Pro provides interactive tools, templates, and guided workflows that turn this course content into real business action — from your first estimate to your first crew.
Who This Course Is For
- SWD Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship graduates ready to go independent
- Experienced construction workers who want to start their own company
- Graduates of SWD's Minority Contractors Initiative looking for structured business education
- Anyone in the trades who is tired of working for someone else
Program Details
Questions About Our Programs.
Do I need experience to apply?
No prior experience is required for the Build It KC Pre-Apprenticeship Program — it is designed for people entering construction for the first time. The Apprenticeship Program typically requires Pre-Apprenticeship completion or demonstrated equivalent skills. The GC Licensing, Entrepreneur, and GovCon courses are best suited for people who have some construction or workforce experience, though there are no strict prerequisites.
How much does it cost to participate?
All SWD programs are available at no cost to qualified participants. Programs are funded through grants, employer partnerships, and community investment. There is no tuition fee, no platform fee, and no hidden cost for any active SWD participant.
Can I be in more than one program at a time?
Yes. Many SWD participants combine programs — for example, completing the Apprenticeship Program while also working through the GC Licensing Exam Prep curriculum on Study Buddy Pro. Your intake advisor will help you design the right combination based on your goals and schedule.
What is Study Buddy Pro and do I need my own computer?
Study Buddy Pro is SWD's AI-powered learning platform — it is where your coursework, practice exams, AI tutor, and progress tracking all live. Every SWD participant gets a free account. You can access it from any device — the ConstructAI Lab computers, your smartphone, a home computer, or a tablet. You do not need to own a computer to participate.
How quickly can I get placed in a job after Pre-Apprenticeship?
SWD's Week 4 employment services focus specifically on placement. Many graduates receive job leads and employer introductions during the program itself. Placement timelines vary, but SWD maintains active relationships with Allied Trades and hiring employers and works directly to connect every graduate.
I already have my GC license. Is there still a program for me?
Absolutely. If you're licensed and want to build your business, the Construction Entrepreneur Course is your next step. If you want to pursue government contracts, go directly to the Government Contracting Navigation Course. SWD's programs are designed to grow with you at every stage of your career.
I am an employer. Can I hire SWD graduates directly?
Yes — and SWD actively maintains an employer partner network for exactly this purpose. SWD graduates are pre-screened, trained, and work-ready. SWD is also Section 3 certified, which means hiring SWD graduates can satisfy your federal workforce participation requirements. Contact our team to set up an employer partnership.
WHO WE SERVE
Every Program. Every Person. One Standard: You Belong Here.
Regardless of which program you enter, SWD's commitment is the same: no preconceived limits on what you can achieve, no barriers left standing that we can remove, and no participant left without a clear next step. Our five programs collectively serve:
Re-Entry Individuals
Your conviction is not your ceiling.
Veterans
Your service built discipline. We'll build the career around it.
Youth (18+)
Get ahead of your peers by years.
Women in Trades
This industry needs you. These programs prove it.
Dislocated Workers
Start over — but start ahead.
Mid-Skilled Workers
You already know how to work. Now get paid what you're worth.
Minority Contractors
Government contracts are set aside for you. Learn how to claim them.
Aspiring Business Owners
From worker to owner — the pathway is right here.
Your program is here. Your career starts now.
Apply today, partner with us, or contact SWD to find out which program is the right fit for you.
THE SWD CAREER PATHWAY
Every Program Connects to the Next One.
SWD's five programs aren't separate offerings. They are a connected, intentional progression — from your first day in the workforce to the day you run your own business and win your first government contract.
Participants don't have to follow this exact sequence — and many enter at different points based on their experience level. But every program is designed to connect forward. When you're ready for the next step, SWD and Study Buddy Pro are ready with you.
Strategic Workforce Development Inc.
Where Opportunity Meets Potential — Kansas City, MO
Legal & Status
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Section 3 Certified workforce organization.
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Kelly
SWD AI Brand Ambassador