Professional Development

AGC of America’s Supervisory Training Program  (STP) is a comprehensive six-course program focusing on the knowledge and skills that every supervisor must have to be an effective manager of people, time, equipment and materials. STP is a nationally-recognized training standard that has been the professional development resource of choice for more than 130,000 construction supervisors and managers.

Online Courses

This online version of the Supervisory Training Program (STP) is the same construction-specific training curriculum developed, updated, and field-tested by contractors as the face-to-face course. The comprehensive six-course certificate program is administered by San Diego State University through Construction Classes Online and AGC, and will benefit anyone on a construction jobsite who is in, or aspires to, a supervisory role. Each term three or four courses are offered, and students can register for one, two, or all those offered. Courses must be completed by the last day of the term. We recommend that you start with one course and become familiar with your own pace on the curriculum, then add more each term as your schedule allows. The STP curriculum creates an unmatched learning experience for participants. Every STP course is activity-based, with discussions, case histories, problems, and exercises. Participants in STP courses draw upon their field experience and learn by interaction with others from all areas of the construction industry.

Cost: members $350  non-members $375  (additional cost $150 for print textbook; $50 for electronic version)

Unit One – Leadership and Motivation (SDSU 201)

2023 SPRING Term

April 10 – June 18

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This course will describe the value of effective supervision of workers and improve the construction supervisor’s ability to lead and motivate others. It will help you recognize your style of leadership and how to utilize other styles when appropriate.

• The dollars and sense of people in construction
• The role of the construction supervisor
• Helping people perform better
• Analyzing worker needs to affect motivation; leading others
• Providing positive feedback to improve job performance, attitudes and abilities
• Training and orienting crew members
• Teams and team building
• Leadership skills in action

Unit Two – Oral and Written Communication (SDSU 202)

This course presents a body of knowledge and skills that today’s construction supervisors need in order to be effective communicators on their job site. You will acquire the skills and understanding of positive, direct communication with an emphasis on construction supervision.

• Effective communication
• Learning to listen
• Carrying on conversations
• Persuasion, negotiation, and confrontation
• Communicating with all levels of an organization
•  Putting it in writing
• Meetings that work
• Electronic communication
• Improving communication

Unit 3 – Planning and Scheduling (SDSU 205)

2023 Spring Term

April 10 – June 18

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Construction supervisors understand ways in which planning and scheduling saves time and money, while increasing quality in the construction process.

• Preparing the project plan
• Communicating the plan
• Preparing bar chart and critical path schedules
• Computer use in scheduling
• Using the schedule on the jobsite
• Updating the construction schedule
• The schedule as documentation
• Using planning and scheduling

Unit 4 – Contract Law and Documents (SDSU 204)

This course will provide information about contract documents and construction law to help supervisors recognize the roles and responsibilities of all contracted parties, to develop an understanding of how contract documents can be helpful to solve problems and resolve conflicts, and to develop positive relationships between all parties in the construction process.

• Introduction to contract documents and construction law
• Creating a positive environment through partnering
• Contractual relationships
• Contract forms and documents
• Managing general conditions
• Good documentation practices
• Changes
• Differing site conditions
• Time impacts
• Negotiation of resolutions

Unit 5 – Cost Productivity and Cost Management (SDSU 206)

2023 SPRING TERM

April 10 – June 18

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This course covers understanding how project estimates are compiled, how to compare actual project costs with those estimated and how to control costs to meet the estimate. This course also details how productivity is measured, how the supervisor plays a major role in increasing jobsite productivity and how a small increase in productivity can have a significant impact on the time and cost of a project.

• Construction estimates
• Who controls project costs
• Reporting and analyzing actual costs
• Planning for cost control
• Cost control strategies
• Labor cost variances
• Working with project partners
• Managing risk and loss potentials
• Cost control strategies
• Post-project evaluations
• Benchmarking construction productivity
• Improving productivity through pre-planning
• New skills for effective supervision
• Personnel management
• Equipment management for productivity improvement
• Jobsite productivity, planning and scheduling
• Quantifying lost labor productivity
• Record keeping, control, changes, and defect analysis

Unit 6 – Risk Management and Problem Solving (SDSU 203)

2023 SPRING TERM

April 10 – June 18

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This course will cover the roles and responsibilities of a construction supervisor in accident prevention and loss control. Learn how to avoid barriers to creative problem-solving and how to create a problem-solving atmosphere at the jobsite.

• Safety leadership, communication and expectations
• Planning for site safety
• Site security and protection
• Multi-employer jobsite safety
• Construction risk management
• Safety and human resources
• Regulatory procedures, record keeping and documents

In-Person STP

Locally, STP courses can be taken through the Northwest College of Construction.