NCCER and EnGen Launch English Pathway to Support Construction Foreman Advancement for All Craft Professionals
[Alachua, FL] — The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and EnGen have announced a new partnership that helps adult English learners build the construction leadership vocabulary needed to advance into supervisory roles and successfully complete NCCER’s Construction Foreman Certification Program in English.
The collaboration addresses critical labor shortages by helping lift a persistent barrier across the construction industry: skilled workers who are ready for leadership opportunities but face challenges completing English-language training. By combining EnGen’s online English learning with NCCER’s foreman training, the partnership creates a clear, practical path from language development to certification and career advancement.
Roughly 30 percent of workers in the U.S. construction industry come from an immigrant background, and many have limited English skills. English barriers can challenge communication, safety, collaboration and career mobility across jobsites nationwide.
To address this gap, adult English learners can now access three months of construction-tailored English upskilling through EnGen. Participants can take the course as a stand-alone option or complete it first and then enroll in NCCER’s Construction Foreman Certification Program in English. This training provides English skills to improve jobsite communication and supports workers in advancing to leadership and supervisory roles.
“Investing in the language skills of our existing workforce is an investment in the future of our industry,” said Jennifer Wilkerson, VP of Innovation & Advancement at NCCER. “This partnership with EnGen provides the tool contractors need to tap into the talent of their skilled workforce and give non-native English speakers the opportunity for career advancement in construction.”
NCCER’s Construction Foreman Certification Program is a robust online program that builds the leadership, communication and planning skills field leaders need to succeed. Designed for current and emerging foremen, the training equips frontline supervisors to lead crews safely and productively while strengthening performance and consistency across the job site.
EnGen’s online, on-demand English learning platform offers personalized instruction aligned with real-world job roles in construction and beyond. Industry-aligned content focuses on safety, technical vocabulary, team collaboration and skills like digital correspondence and client communication.
“We’re thrilled to partner with NCCER to help more workers take the next step in their construction careers,” said Katie Brown, Ph.D., founder and chief education officer at EnGen. “By reducing English barriers, we’re unlocking talent that already exists in the workforce and helping employers retain and promote skilled workers from within.”
This initiative is already generating positive feedback from the field.
“This program is a gamechanger for our workforce—it’s helping our team leads strengthen their communication skills in ways that directly impact safety, productivity and collaboration,” said Bradley Rowan, Director of Training & Development at Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing in Houston. “One of our foremen, Raul, has been with us for 12 years. He came to the U.S. without speaking any English, and he can now communicate well on the job. This kind of targeted support gives Raul and others like him the tools to grow into even stronger leaders.”
Learn more about the Construction Foreman Certification Program and options for ESL learners here.
About NCCER
The National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit education foundation and the leading provider of construction education for industry and career and technical education programs. With flexible workforce development and learning solutions, NCCER’s programs provide consistency and quality to ensure craft professionals and learners receive industry-recognized credentials and certifications. To learn more, visit www.nccer.org.
About EnGen
U.S. employers face persistent staffing and skills gaps—and EnGen helps address both. EnGen partners with employers, educators, workforce development organizations, and state governments to connect job seekers and incumbent workers with English skills to thrive in high-demand industries. EnGen’s online, on-demand workforce development solution addresses employers’ recruitment and retention challenges and advances learners’ economic mobility. For more information, visit www.getengen.com