Why Bechtel’s Craig Albert Thinks Construction Schools Need to Evolve
The contractor president and COO recently donated funding to create a new construction school at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Author: Jim Parsons
In April 2026, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte announced the establishment of the Albert School of Construction, funded by a leadership gift from Bechtel Group President and COO Craig Albert and his wife, Darla Albert. As an alumnus of the university, Albert envisions the school as a way to evolve construction education to meet the demands of increasingly complex global infrastructure.
Addressing the Gap in Engineering Education
Albert identified a critical need for the school because, while traditional engineering programs excel at technical training, students often lack exposure to the practical realities of delivering large-scale projects. He notes that engineering schools provide low exposure to “what it takes to actually deliver a major project — coordinating thousands of workers and contractors, and integrating engineering, business, and human resource disciplines.”
A Lifecycle and Interdisciplinary Approach
The program distinguishes itself by focusing on the entire project lifecycle, treating construction as a cross-disciplinary endeavor rather than a series of isolated functions. Albert believes that project outcomes are fundamentally shaped by decisions made at every stage, from planning to execution. The school’s curriculum will integrate various fields, aiming for a system where:
“Students will learn engineering fundamentals and how those decisions affect execution—how work is sequenced, how teams coordinate, and how engineering, labor, supply chains, and technology come together on site…”
Facilities and Future Innovation
To support this vision, the university is planning a signature outdoor construction field lab designed for hands-on learning, applied research, and industry collaboration. Additionally, the Smith Building will be modernized to include advanced classroom and lab spaces.
The school’s research will focus on applied innovation, specifically in areas such as:
- Digital construction
- Data-driven project delivery
- Megaproject execution
The ultimate goal for the program is to ensure that “when a UNC Charlotte construction graduate reports for work, they are the most prepared early career professional in the room.”
The Construction Profession
Albert’s vision is rooted in his belief that construction is a “noble profession” that carries immense responsibility for public safety, national priorities, and massive financial investments. He emphasizes that every major societal innovation relies on the infrastructure built to support it. He hopes students graduate understanding that success in this field depends on “what thousands of people can accomplish together when they have the right training, skills, information, tools and organization.”