A new degree program aimed at curating local construction talent and filling high wage positions with Fayetteville graduates is coming in the fall of 2025.

Fayetteville State University is awaiting final approval to offer a Bachelor of Science in Construction Project Management. This new degree is being brought to the area by two leading institutions: Fayetteville State University and Fayetteville Technical Community College.

In a private meeting held on Fayetteville State University’s campus on Monday, April 7, FSU Chancellor Darrell T. Allison shared that the program, which began with a casual conversation with leadership from Fayetteville Technical Community College, has now blossomed into a multi-tiered partnership to bring classroom and hands on education to students from both institutions.

“I wanted to make sure that when we picked this back up, that we would not go into our silo and work from a position that we were building it on our own. I wanted to make sure that we had some conversation with FTCC, so that when we constructed [this] we were really partnering and tailoring it well. Then, magic started to happen,” said Allison.

The partnership allows a pipeline for students who get their start at FTCC with an Associate Degree in Construction Management, to be able to transfer to FSU due to an articulation agreement in place to allow for a bachelor of science degree transfer to FSU.

These students will have already put in the preliminary work for their degree at FTCC with their Building Construction Technology curriculum which is designed to prepare students with skills needed for careers in architecture, construction, construction management and other associated professions.

FSU would then provide transfers to students utilizing connections such as the FTCC KEEN Scholarship, which was created specifically to help FTCC students in high demand work-force majors transfer seamlessly to Fayetteville State University.

“This is really exciting for our students. It is very true that our students need this opportunity at Fayetteville Tech. Many of our students do pursue a bachelor's degree in construction management, but there's not something here (at FTCC) available. And I said from the very beginning to Dean Taylor that I know our students would choose Fayetteville State if they had that option, simply because it's convenient, it's part of their hometown, and many of them take so much pride in that workforce,” said Dr. Pamela Gibson, dean of Engineering & Applied Technology at FTCC. “Post-secondary education is so important to workforce development; we have to create these pathways. Secondary education needs to work together. We start at the community college with certificates and diplomas, but then for them to have that opportunity for higher degree, advanced degrees, pathways are so important for developing lifelong learning.”

The two institutions are partnering not only with each other, but with, Metcon Buildings & Infrastructure and Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity, the City of Fayetteville and the Cumberland County government.

Metcon Buildings & Infrastructure, a general contracting company with major projects across the Carolinas and on the FSU campus headquartered in Pembroke, NC, will be providing a hands-on learning portion to the students, offering paid internship opportunities during their time at FTCC and later organizing capstone projects after they transfer to FSU.

They have also partnered to provide guest lectures from Metcon professionals and collaborate with all parties to organize workforce development programs, hold job fairs and recruitment events and participate in career readiness workshops.

“When we first met with Dean Taylor roughly a year ago, I think ‘over the moon’ was the way we could describe the opportunity to be involved to make sure that we can get good quality employees here in the Sandhills,” said Ryan Parker, project executive at Metcon. “It's a shortage that we deal with all the time. We just can't fill the void. Moving forward, time, money, whatever you need, we're here for you, and we appreciate it.”

This higher level of education is also expected to bring high paying jobs to the area. Included during the meeting was a presentation highlighting the country-wide demand for jobs of this type. According to national data, job growth for construction project managers is expected to grow by 8% from 2021 to 2031 with 41,500 new jobs expected to be created with the national median salary being $98,890 as of 2021.

Moving forward, the program will seek out ACCE (American Council for Construction Education) accreditation. Confirmation is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Editor’s note: The full version of this article will be available in the upcoming Growth and Development Special Issue of the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal.