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Economic competitiveness thrives where communities invest in both their workforce and infrastructure.

Skanska is at the center of both, helping to build up local economies and champion education.

Since the late 1990s, we have been creating healthy, sustainable spaces and designing for long-term community needs in Texas, including constructing modern learning environments where the next generation of skilled workers are educated. We have completed over 130 higher education projects across Texas, worth more than $1.8 billion.

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Our local project portfolio spans both higher education and K-12 facilities. Notable higher education projects include the Alamo Colleges District ACCESS Building, The University of Texas at San Antonio’s state-of-the-art Athletics Basketball and Volleyball Training Facility, and Texas State University’s modern STEM Building.

We’ve also successfully delivered projects in the K–12 sector such as Jackson Middle School in NEISD and Bulverde Middle School in Comal ISD, along with several active projects for Comal ISD. We’re closely monitoring the upcoming November NEISD bond as we continue supporting educational growth across the region.

Throughout all these projects, we maintain focus on sustainable construction practices, educational facility specialization, community-centered design and long-term infrastructure planning that will serve communities for decades to come.

At the same time, both the state and our local community are doubling down on technical training, as seen in the passage of the Alamo Colleges’ $987 million bond and the state’s proposed $850 million investment in Texas State Technical College. These initiatives reflect a growing commitment to workforce development and the critical role that modern, well-designed learning environments play in preparing students for the future.

Investment in these academic facilities are yielding results.

Despite outdated stigmas associated with trade careers, more and more San Antonio students are finishing high school with industry-based certifications. This trend aligns with the latest report from the Federal Bank of St. Louis that found a 5.4% increase in construction employees from 2023 to 2024 in the San Antonio-New Braunfels area.

These numbers mirror the area’s construction boom, particularly in downtown San Antonio and along major corridors where the Texas Department of Transportation is expanding Interstate 35 and Loop 1604.

However, combining city-led infrastructure and major commercial projects, San Antonio is projected to see well over $6 billion in construction investment through 2030. Nationally, the construction industry will need to attract an estimated 439,000 net new workers in 2025 to meet anticipated demand, according to Associated Builders and Contractors. Therefore, the need to continue growing the trade workforce remains critical.

The city’s commitment to continued growth to support the way San Antonians live, work and play reflects the growing need for more local talent to pursue careers in the skilled trades. And it’s our role to introduce our future workforce to careers in trade industries as modern, respected and economically empowering career paths.

Even for businesses not directly tied to the trades, leadership that champions these careers contributes to San Antonio’s long-term success. And investing in the professional development of local talent helps ensure that individuals continue reinvesting in their communities, creating a cycle of growth that benefits everyone.

In response, institutions across the region are expanding their efforts to prepare students for careers in the built environment. Skanska has supported this momentum through ongoing engagement with UT San Antonio, collaboration with education foundations in NEISD and Comal ISD, and emerging relationships with Texas State Technical College and the Construction Careers Academy at Northside ISD.

At Skanska, we are committed to helping students pursue fulfilling careers in construction. We provide students a first-hand look at this industry through internships, our Skanska Day of Discovery and community partnerships.

During Day of Discovery, youth are introduced to careers in architecture, engineering and construction through site tours and in depth presentations. We frequently work with the Construction Careers Academy for these experiences, designed to showcase the dynamic and meaningful opportunities available across the industry.

While much attention is rightly placed on attracting new talent to the skilled trades, it’s equally important to support those already building careers in the industry. Skanska’s Talent Development Council in San Antonio plays a key role in this effort, offering early-career professionals, including project engineers, field engineers, assistant project managers and superintendents — ongoing opportunities to deepen their understanding of construction.

Through monthly site visits, peer networking, and hands-on learning, participants gain exposure to a variety of project types and build connections that help them navigate challenges and grow in their roles.

These hands-on opportunities are what will continue to drive trade career considerations.

That’s why we also support the comprehensive workforce development programs led by local government, trade organizations and nonprofits, including initiatives like Ready to Work and SA WORX. These partnerships help align educators and employers, ensuring that emerging talent develops the skills industries need most. More importantly, these collaborations establish direct pathways from education to employment, benefiting both students and businesses seeking skilled workers.

Ensuring future generations continue to call San Antonio home requires supporting our community’s workforce programs through active employer engagement and strategic partnerships. As local employers we should lead by example, demonstrating that investing in workforce development isn’t just good business — it’s essential for our city’s long-term prosperity. Whether through mentoring students, offering internships, supporting vocational training or advocating for trade education, every employer can play a role in building the skilled workforce that will drive San Antonio’s continued success.

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