Skills Trade Empowerment Program
Skills Trade Empowerment Program
A 10-week credential that prepares skilled workers for supervisory roles — at no cost to participants. Launching fall 2026.
| $0 Cost to Participants |
10 Weeks |
170 Program Hours |
240+ Participants Over 4 Years |
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The Problem
Good at the work. Not yet credentialed to lead it.
Skilled workers get promoted when their employer can point to something. A credential. A certification. Proof that the person standing in front of a crew has the leadership fundamentals to back up what they already know.
For most workers, that credential hasn’t been an option — not because the ability wasn’t there, but because nobody built the right program.
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For Workers
You’re doing lead-level work without the title or the pay to match. The credential gap is the only thing between where you are and where you should be.
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For Employers
Your best workers are ready to supervise. You just need a structured way to develop them — without sending them back to school for two years.
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WHAT YOU LEARN (CURRICULUM)
What You Learn
Three integrated components. One credential.
01 Leadership Development
Online coursework drawn from CPCS’s applied leadership programs. Covers team communication, supervisory decision-making, conflict resolution, and workforce management.
02 OSHA 30-Hour Certification
In-person OSHA 30 training — the advanced safety credential for supervisors. Covers hazard recognition, OSHA standards, and worksite inspection. Employers recognize this credential immediately.
03 Industry Capstone Project
A project tied directly to your industry and workplace, not a classroom exercise. The capstone documents real competency — something you can show an employer the day you finish.
Participants who complete all three components receive the STEP credential. The program’s target: more than half of graduates move into supervisory roles within six months.
How It Works
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1
Express Interest
Fill out the form below. Tell us whether you’re an individual worker or an employer. A CPCS team member follows up within two business days.
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2
Join a Cohort
We’ll match you to the right cohort — individual enrollment or an employer-sponsored group. The grant covers your full cost of participation.
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3
Earn Your Credential
Complete 10 weeks of leadership coursework, OSHA 30 training, and your capstone project. Walk away with the STEP credential and the documentation to back it up.
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Who Should Enroll
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Individual Workers
You’re good at your trade. You know what it takes to run a crew. STEP gives you the credential to prove it — without waiting for your employer to sponsor you or going back to school for two years.
No prior college experience required.
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Employers
Enroll a cohort of your own employees. Groups of up to 50 can move through the program together, with a capstone tied directly to your industry.
Build your supervisory pipeline without losing your team to a two-year degree program.
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Who is eligible:
| ✓ Skilled trade or technical industry worker |
✓ Early to mid-career |
| ✓ Able to complete hybrid format |
✓ No prior college degree required |
| ✓ Construction, utilities, manufacturing, transportation & related fields |
✓ On a supervisory track (or ready to be) |
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Cost to Participants
Nothing.
The U.S. Department of Education grant covers 100% of participant enrollment and course costs for all cohorts through December 2029.
This funding is time-limited. Cohort seats fill each semester.
Fall 2026 Cohort
The first STEP cohort launches this fall. Inaugural employer partners Ergon Inc., Viking Range, and Atmos Energy are already enrolling employees.
Individual seats are available. Express interest below to be considered for the fall cohort.
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EMPLOYER QUOTE + SOCIAL PROOF
What Employers Are Saying
“This is a great opportunity for employees at Atmos at all levels, but especially for our emerging talent that have demonstrated strong leadership potential and technical mastery that are on a developmental path that would involve leading teams or managing our assets or protecting our infrastructure.”
Glenn Partrick
Vice President of Human Resources — Atmos Energy (Mississippi)
Fall 2026 Inaugural Partners
Additional partners joining for spring and summer cohorts. Contact CPCS if your organization is interested in enrolling a group.
Media Coverage
In the News
