Basics in Concrete
BuildStrong Academy of Colorado

As Colorado grows, so does the need for skilled concrete workers.
Concrete is the most common and versatile building material used in construction. Combined with reinforcing steel, it becomes the durable, long-lasting base of our buildings and roads. In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of concrete tools and materials, as well as techniques of reinforcing, forming, and pouring concrete safely and successfully on a jobsite.
Students Gain
✔️ A solid foundation of concrete construction skills
✔️ Career support & networking opportunities with employers
✔️ Preparation for a career, including Concrete Finishing, Rebar, or Equipment Operating, making over $20/hour! (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
✔️ Academy Basics in Concrete Skills Certificate
Schedule
This is a 2-week course. Students attend classes at our training center three nights per week from 5:30-8:30pm. Additionally, students may be required to complete online coursework outside of class.
Cost
$300
*Full tuition coverage is available through our WORKNOW scholarship.



Course Content
Preparation for a Career in Concrete
- Introduction to career opportunities related to concrete
- Support in finding employment in the industry
Introduction to Jobsite Management
- Survey and underground markings
- Erosion control
Squaring and Leveling
- Prepare and level a square form using:
- Tape measures
- Laser levels
- 345 and diagonal squaring method
Concrete Blueprint Reading
- Review of foundation plans and details involving concrete and rebar
Jobsite & Personal Safety
- Safety zones for heavy equipment
- Common jobsite hazards
- Rebar caps
- Fall hazards
- Flammable release agents
- Exposure to concrete dust
- Skin contact with cement
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for common materials associated with concrete
- Portland cement
- Curing agents
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) related to working with concrete
- Respirators
- Gloves
- Safety vest
- Face and eye protection
Concrete Hand Tools
- Wire tying with lineman’s pliers
- Twister – wire ties and rebar
- Trowels, floats, and edgers
- Rebar bender/cutter
- Mixing tools
Introduction to Rebar
- Types
- Sizes
- Common specs including tie configurations and applications in the field
Build a Basic Concrete Form
- Measure, cut and bend reinforcing bar of various sizes
- Build and tie a rebar grid using twisters and pliers
Concrete Power Tools
- Chop saw
- Circular saw
- Reciprocating saw
- Drills
Concrete as a Building Material
- Concrete Ingredients
- Ratios
- Cure times
- Additives
- Environmental concerns related to pouring concrete
Mixing Concrete
- Hand-mixing methods
- Slump testing and moisture content – workability vs. strength
- Reinforce, pour, and finish concrete in a basic form
Interested in Enrolling?
Fill out this form to get started.
Get Started With BuildStrong Academy of Colorado
1. Fill out the interest form on this page.
Once you sign up, you will get more information about our training process and you will be sent an online application which takes about 10 minutes to fill out.
2. Connect with our recruiter.
Once we receive your application, our recruiter will contact you to determine if we are a good solution for your career goals. We then help match you with the right training for your career path.
3. Deposit.
Pay the deposit for the course in our online store. Once you pay the deposit, please confirm which class you’d like to take with our recruiter.
4. Construction Training Begins
Questions?
Contact our Recruiter with any questions or for more information.
Upcoming Classes at BuildStrong Academy of Colorado
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Evening Carpentry (M-TH) [Carp18]
March 31, 2025 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
445 W 53rd Pl, Denver, CO 80216, USA -
Evening Construction (M-TH) [BCA70]
March 31, 2025 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
445 W 53rd Pl, Denver, CO 80216, USA
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Evening Construction (M-Th) [BC71]
April 7, 2025 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
445 W 53rd Pl, Denver, CO 80216, USA