A Business Education Curriculum for Specialty Trade Contractora

The United States’ construction industry is dominated by a sub-sector of small business contractors who are identified by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) as Specialty Trade Contractors. Specialty trade contractors perform specific work of a larger project; construction, electrical, heating and cooling, and plumbing are examples of specialty trade work. Within the specialty trades, there is a high rate of small business start-ups. Unfortunately, there is also a high rate of business failure. This project dissertation identifies educational deficiencies that may impede small business success and creates coursework to address those deficits. The project presented is a five-course community college business certificate that, when coupled with credit for prior learning for an apprenticeship or vocational certificate, can create an academic pathway for specialty trade small business owners to receive an associate degree in small business management.