Purdue to launch new model of construction management technology program in Indianapolis

Meeting a critical need for a job-ready workforce, Purdue is creating the next wave of construction industry leaders

Three students in construction workspace.

Purdue students in Indianapolis will gain the skills to be the future leaders of the construction industry. (Purdue University photo/John O’Malley)

INDIANAPOLIS — From towering skyscrapers and large-capacity sports arenas to the ubiquitous industrial parks and playgrounds throughout the city, new construction is a constant in Indianapolis. For a metropolis with nearly $5 billion in the development pipeline, a critical need has emerged for leadership and management expertise in the construction industry. Purdue University is filling that void with the formal launch of the reimagined construction management technology program in Indianapolis.

Offered out of the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, the program will help Purdue students in Indianapolis gain the necessary skills to be leaders in the fast-paced, high-tech construction realm. Students will learn how to successfully manage construction projects, from conceptual budgets to day-to-day operations to project turnover and completion, gaining the critical knowledge and training required to accelerate the growth of the industry — right in the heart of Indianapolis.

“At Purdue Polytechnic, our goal is to develop industry-ready graduates who are equipped to tackle real-world challenges,” said Daniel Castro, Purdue Polytechnic dean. “This reimagined construction management technology program in Indianapolis, in partnership with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, reflects our commitment to providing students with a rigorous curriculum that equips them to solve problems, improve processes and become thought leaders, and meaningful professional education and training that meets the essential demands of the growing construction industry.”

Capitalizing on the proximity to companies and industry leaders in Indianapolis, the construction management technology program is aiming to become one of the first of its kind to offer a registered apprenticeship in construction management. Purdue students in Indianapolis, and those who will be making the trek from West Lafayette, would be able to “earn and learn” by collecting a wage while being supervised, trained and mentored as apprentices by Indiana-based companies. Plans also include potentially offering pre-apprenticeship programs in central Indiana high schools, creating pathways to advanced placement into the program for prospective students.

Focused on the leadership aspect of the industry, the construction management technology program in Indianapolis will generate a job-ready workforce of superintendents, project managers, site organizers, and health and safety officials, among many other professional roles.

“From listening to construction industry leaders throughout the city, we knew that there was an urgent need for skilled workers in this particular area,” said David Umulis, senior vice provost Purdue University for Indianapolis. “The reimagined construction management technology program underlines the core objective of our urban expansion in Indianapolis — to establish connections and opportunities for Purdue students in high-demand career fields while creating a direct pipeline of Boilermaker talent for employers in central Indiana.”

The program in Indianapolis will officially be relaunched in the fall for transitioning current construction management technology students, with the first full freshman class entering the program in the 2026-27 academic year. Companies interested in exploring internship and co-op opportunities with Purdue students can contact Marcus Rogers, interim head of the School of Construction Management Technology, at rogersmk@purdue.edu.

About Purdue University in Indianapolis

Purdue University in Indianapolis is a fully integrated expansion of West Lafayette, extending to central Indiana the academic rigor and accessible excellence for which Purdue is known. As the state’s only top 10 public university, most trusted university and most innovative university, Purdue is focused and committed to strengthening its presence in Indiana’s industrial and technological center. Purdue University in Indianapolis is creating an innovative, STEM-based collegiate experience by connecting future-ready Purdue students and faculty in Indianapolis to local businesses to accelerate Indiana’s STEM pipeline and tech ecosystem, fueling impact for our region and the world. Learn more at https://www.purdue.edu/indianapolis.

Media contact: Derek Schultz, dcschultz@purdue.edu

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