An industry group is launching a comprehensive online learning program that combines education for small and disadvantaged construction companies with opportunities for fellowships and scholarships.
The Minority Business Development Institute will begin its online MBDI University training in 2026, which will support eight hours of one-on-one mentoring in two locations: Philadelphia and Atlanta, says David Cayemitte, CEO of both the education group and Embrace Partners, which will provide a collateral link to graduates. The program uses the US Small Business Administration’s criteria of 500 employees or fewer to define a small business.
RELATED LINK: Ten minutes with David Cayemitte, CEO of Embrace Partners and Minority Business Development Institute
The goal is to “offer a opportunity for small contractors [to gain] to access training typically reserved for large companies with large training budgets,” he says. “It’s a national platform designed to transform small business owners into strong construction executives through a comprehensive four-year curriculum. The program combines rigorous knowledge assessments with a tailored curriculum and one-on-one consulting. Our four-level program allows for progressive learning, and because we use advance knowledge assessments, we can place business owners directly into classes that address their specific gaps.”
The program “will allow us to expand directly into workforce development with accredited professional training for architects, engineers, lawyers and insurance brokers,” Cayemitte adds. “We’ll also provide access to a wide range of safety classes, which are not only needed on jobsites, but also needed to protect workers and contractors’ balance sheets.”
Last year, the institute partnered with Menotti Enterprise, a veteran-owned company, and the New York City Economic Development Corp. to provide specific safety training for offshore wind construction to small and disadvantaged businesses.
The institute is also launching the “The 42” Scholarship Program: Cohort II, which will award scholarships to 42 small contractors. “We are awarding another $15,000 scholarship to each selected CEO, providing them with full tuition to the Travelers Institute of Family Business Contractor Startup Camp,” adds Caymitte. “This intensive executive MBA-style program is specifically designed for high-potential companies and next-generation leaders. The curriculum focuses on the critical pillars of sustainable growth, including strategic leadership, transitioning from day-to-day operations to long-term business scale, financial mastery, operational excellence, and capability development.”
The online program is the next iteration of the institute’s in-person classes, which began in 2009. According to the program brochure, offerings can range from a three-hour general meeting to 60-day to nine-month training programs, with an estimated cost of about $2,500.
“The one-on-one sessions have been instrumental in helping us build our qualifications and explore new opportunities,” says Shii-Anna Mudie, founder of Resolument Vert Solutions, a consultancy specializing in the development of resilient and equitable residential and commercial properties. “These meetings have guided us to structure project stages more effectively, improving our connections with prime contractors and deepening the procurement process. In addition, the support we have received for our insurance has been exceptional.”
