facebook pixel content

Programs: High School | Adult Skilled Trades | Industry Professional Development

Construction Project Management

This course is designed to equip recently promoted superintendents, foremen, and crew leaders as they transition from hands-on trades to leadership positions. Participants will acquire vital technical skills necessary for effective project management in the construction industry.

Register
A construction professional working on scaffolding is taking the proper measures to protect himself against a fall injury.

Course Description

Created in partnership with and instructed by Ferris State University faculty, this 30-hour course is designed to teach technical skills for commercial construction project managers. Attendees will cover crucial topics including project communication, contracts/scope of work, project buyout, schedule development, cash flow, project turnover/closeout, and administration.

course details
credentials earned
  • Ferris State University ICET Credential
  • Students must attend all course sessions to receive their certificate

Instructor: Ferris State University Faculty

Ferris State University Logo

This course is certified by Ferris State University’s Institute for Construction Education and Training. All sessions are taught by Ferris State University professors.

course schedule and curriculum

Course Schedule:

  • September 4:  Communication
  • Sept 11: Contracts & Scope of Work
  • Sept 18: Project Buyout
  • Sept 25: Schedule Development
  • October 2: Cash Flow
  • October 9: Project Turnover Closeout
  • October 16: Project Administration
  • October 23 – NO CLASS
  • October 30

Project Communication

During the Project Communications section, students will learn: 

  • How to lead a meeting
  • Conflict resolution
  • Negotiations
  • Project diversity
  • 16 personalities test
  • Developing a team

     

Contracts & Scope of Work

During the Contracts & Scope section, students will learn: 

  • Contract review
  • Purchase Order vs. Subcontractor Agreement
  • Lien and bond laws
  • Work scope
  • Liquidated damages vs. consequential damages; potential penalties (DBE, local req’s participation)
  • Local codes & regulations
  • Temporary facilities review – what is being provided
  • Warranty conditions

 

Project Buyout

During the Project Buyout section, students will learn: 

  • Identify project risks including materials and labor applicable to all trades
  • Pricing/escalation
  • Letters of Intent
  • Notice of Furnishing
  • Vendors vs. trade partners
  • Approved alternates
  • Submittals – Importance of not ordering materials before they are approved

Schedule Development

During the Schedule Management section, students will learn: 

  • Scheduling (master, short interval) – info needed by the “receiver” for the different schedule types; validation of duration and logic of their trade in the schedule. Short interval – recognize the time impact of the schedule; what resources are required (labor/materials/equipment) based on a short term schedule
  • Updating schedules – Requires input from subcontractors; what day is the expected progress update; how does the GC/CM want the update – remaining duration or percent complete.
  • Manpower requirements
  • Mitigating schedule changes
  • Schedule slip – how to manage delays

Cash Flow

During the Cash Flow section, students will learn: 

  • Work-In-Progress
  • Billing for stored materials
  • Project payment cycles
  • Retainage
  • Revenue projection
  • Project costs and analytics (real time vs estimate)
  • Profit projections

Project Turnover/Closeout

During the Project Turnover/Closeout section, students will learn: 

  • Punchlists
  • Warranties/“Evergreen warranties”
  • As-builts, record documents
  • Training
  • Extra materials
  • Final inspections
  • Final payment, release of liens

Project Administration

During the Project Administration section, students will learn: 

  • Information Process - Basic use of Procore
  • Project correspondence
  • Project meetings
  • QA/QC plan development
  • Change Orders
  • How to create
  • How to develop a price estimate
  • How to price its general conditions
  • Allowable markups
  • Scope
  • Material units and rates
  • T&M
  • Proper backup
  • Schedule impact justification
  • CO log
  • Budget update/bond company update

project management Registration

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Step 1 of 3
Will your registration be self-paid or company sponsored?
Selected Value: 1
Need to register more that 7 students? Please contact Jordyn Kapala for assistance: jkapala@wmcinstitute.com
Name of Billing Contact
Billing Address
Billing Contact Email

Additional courses you may be interested in:

Advanced Carpentry training course thumbnail.

START DATE
August 19, 2025
End Date
May 26, 2026
Annual Tuition + Fees
$4475

What you'll learn:

Gain a good understanding of the building process including site preparation, wall systems & installation, roofing applications, steel framing, and more.

Carpentry Jobs

High level carpentry job titles include: Journeyman Carpenter, Master Carpenter, Foreman, and Superintendent.
Course thumbnail for the West Michigan Construction Institute's Concrete training course.

START DATE
August 26, 2025
End Date
March 25, 2026
Annual Tuition + Fees
$4475

What you'll learn:

In addition to the essentials of concrete safety, tools, and equipment, students will also learn concrete placement, reinforcing, formwork and finishing. Students will also learn helpful communication, math, and safety skills applicable across all skilled trades.

Concrete Jobs:

Jobs in the concrete industry include: concrete finisher, concrete carpenter, form builder, heavy equipment operator, and project manager.
Course header for the west michigan construction institute's Introductory Field Leadership course.

START DATE
August 26, 2025
End Date
November 4, 2025
Registration Fees
$3800

What you'll learn:

In this six-session professional development course, students will develop the communication, management, and productivity skills needed to lead successful construction projects.

Who should attend?

As a perfect program to translate job site technical expertise into leadership of multiple persons and teams, this course is best for rising construction industry managers, foremen, and superintendents.

START DATE
October 1, 2025
End Date
October 29, 2025
Registration Fees
$610

What you'll learn:

A perfect introductory program for students to learn how to read and interpret construction documents in all areas of construction. Specific skills developed include: document terminology, site planes, plan specifications, bid manuals, and more.

Who should attend?

This program is structured for tradespersons who is just entering the field or transitioning into a position requiring a firm understanding of how construction documents work and are related to each other.
Course header for the west michigan construction institute's Advanced Field Leadership course.

START DATE
August 27, 2025
End Date
November 5, 2025
Registration Fees
$3900

What you'll learn:

Building on skills learned in Introductory Field Leadership, students will learn develop competency: 1. Leadership from Within (Emotional intelligence for leaders, business acumen in contracting, coaching and mentoring skills) 2. Managing Behaviors (Time management, generations in the workplace) 3. Impacting Project Teams (Collaboration for successful communication, organizational skills, developing powerful messages) 4. Mentoring through Coaching (Harness the power of leadership energy, improving leadership performance through delegation) 5. Situational Leadership (Problem-solving, improving accountability, change management) 6. Leadership Growth (Critical-thinking, capstone project)

Who should attend?

Advanced Field Leadership is best for mid-level managers, project directors, and members of the leadership teams with a specific focus on smoothing the transition from being a technical expert in the field to being an expert leader of people and projects.
WMCI's Spanish for Construction Training course featured image.

START DATE
January 13, 2026
End Date
March 19, 2026
Registration Fees
$1250

What you'll learn:

In a curriculum customized for the industry, students will learn the most common construction Spanish words and phrases used on a jobsite.

Who should attend?

This course is intended for those that speak little to no Spanish and are looking to engage more efficiently with their Spanish speaking team members.
WMCI course thumbnail for Level 2 concrete training.

START DATE
January 8, 2026
End Date
March 25, 2026
Annual Tuition + Fees
$2325

What you'll learn:

Students develop and understanding of various types of concrete mixes and how each is used. They will also gain an understanding of the limitations of concrete depending on specific project needs and environmental conditions as well as a greater span of trade knowledge required for success in the commercial concrete industry.

Concrete Jobs

Examples of Concrete job titles include: Concrete Laborer, Concrete Finisher, Crew Leaders, and Foremen.

START DATE
August 18, 2025
End Date
June 1, 2026
Annual Tuition + Fees
$4440

What you'll learn:

Students will learn how to safely install, test, maintain, and repair different types of pipe systems.

Plumbing Jobs

Commercial plumbing job titles can include: apprentice, journeyman plumber, service technician, and plumbing designer.
Course thumbnail for WMCI's higher level commercial construction plumbing 3 training.

START DATE
August 21, 2025
End Date
June 4, 2026
Annual Tuition + Fees
$4575

What you'll learn:

Learn how to protect the water supply system, types of venting, DWV and storm systems, compressed air, corrosive-resistant waste piping, and more.

Plumbing Jobs

Course thumbnail for commercial construction plumbing 2 training.

START DATE
August 20, 2025
End Date
June 3, 2026
Annual Tuition + Fees
$4475

What you'll learn:

Students will learn elements of plumbing math, commercial drawings, how to install DWV piping, roof/floor/area drains, water supply piping, valves, and more.

Plumbing Jobs

Plumbing job titles can include: Apprentice, Journeyman Plumbing, Service Technician, and Plumbing Designer