Alquist's New Blueprint: Training a Workforce for 3D-Printed Homes

GREELEY, CO – March 10, 2026 – As the construction industry grapples with a severe and persistent labor shortage, one technology company is looking beyond the job site and into the classroom to build its future. Alquist, a pioneer in 3D construction printing (3DCP), has announced a significant expansion of its national education initiative, forging new partnerships with Rio Salado Community College in Arizona and the University of Wisconsin–Stout.

The move aims to create a dedicated talent pipeline for robotic construction, embedding Alquist's proprietary technology and curriculum directly into higher education. This strategic investment in workforce development signals a critical maturation point for the 3D printing industry, suggesting a shift from experimental projects to a scalable, mainstream solution for America's housing and infrastructure needs. With hundreds of thousands of construction jobs currently unfilled and nearly 40% of the existing workforce nearing retirement, automation is no longer a futuristic concept but an impending necessity.

The New Construction Classroom

At the heart of Alquist's initiative are deep, hands-on collaborations with academic institutions. Rather than simply donating equipment, the company is integrating its entire ecosystem—including its A1 3DCP systems and a comprehensive 60-hour curriculum—into degree programs.

The partnership with Rio Salado Community College, which began in early 2024, is already demonstrating real-world results. Students have been involved in tangible community projects, such as delivering 3D-printed concrete benches for the City of Tempe's Downtown Enhancement Project. This practical application provides invaluable experience and showcases the technology's potential to regional leaders.

"At Rio Salado, we are committed to aligning education with emerging industry needs," said Dr. Kate Smith, President of Rio Salado. "Partnering with Alquist allows us to offer students hands-on experience with advanced construction robotics while strengthening workforce pathways that directly support economic development in our region." The long-term vision is to establish the college as a regional hub for 3D construction training, connecting skilled graduates with contractors across the booming Phoenix market.

A similar model is being deployed in the Midwest with the University of Wisconsin–Stout, the state's Polytechnic University. The technology will be integrated across multiple disciplines, including construction management, technology education, and industrial design. This multi-faceted approach ensures students understand the technology from design conception to project execution.

"This partnership aligns directly with our mission to deliver applied, career-ready education," stated UW–Stout Chancellor Katherine Frank. "By bringing 3DCP technology and curriculum to our students, we're preparing them to lead in a rapidly evolving construction and manufacturing landscape." The collaboration also includes a research component focused on developing scalable additive manufacturing solutions, positioning the university at the forefront of construction innovation.

A Strategic Blueprint for Growth

For Alquist, these educational partnerships are more than just philanthropy; they represent a core business strategy designed to dismantle one of the biggest obstacles to scaling 3DCP: a lack of trained operators. As the global 3D concrete printing market is projected to grow at a staggering compound annual rate, potentially exceeding 100% through 2030, the demand for a new type of construction professional—one who is as comfortable with software and robotics as with a hammer and nails—will explode.

"As 3D construction printing moves from experimentation to national deployment, the workforce must evolve alongside it," explained Zachary Mannheimer, Founder of Alquist. "We're not just installing printers on campuses, we're building a long-term talent pipeline that gives students direct access to the tools, software and real-world processes shaping the future of construction."

This proactive approach to building an ecosystem sets Alquist apart. While other major players in the 3DCP space primarily focus on robust internal training programs for their new hires, Alquist is cultivating a broader, industry-wide talent pool from the ground up. By creating a standardized curriculum and providing access to its A1 system, the company is ensuring that a certified, capable workforce is ready as it expands its own commercial deployments into large-scale retail and infrastructure projects. This strategy not only addresses a critical market need but also makes Alquist a more attractive partner for developers and municipalities looking to adopt the technology without facing a crippling skills gap.

From Niche to Necessity: Is 3D Printing Ready?

Alquist's focus on workforce development arrives at a pivotal moment for the construction industry. For years, 3D printing has been hailed as a revolutionary technology with the potential to build homes faster, cheaper, and more sustainably. Now, a confluence of factors is pushing it from the fringes toward the mainstream. The nation's acute housing shortage, coupled with soaring material and labor costs, has created intense pressure for innovative solutions.

3DCP directly addresses these pain points. The technology can dramatically accelerate building timelines, reduce material waste by up to 50%, and offer unprecedented design flexibility. However, significant barriers to widespread adoption have remained, including navigating outdated building codes, the high cost of specialized materials, and a general resistance to change within a traditional industry.

By systematically tackling the workforce barrier, Alquist is helping to de-risk the technology for the entire sector. A trained and certified workforce gives regulators, investors, and contractors the confidence needed to embrace 3DCP more broadly. This effort is complemented by positive regulatory momentum, such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's recent endorsement of 3D-printed concrete structures that meet stringent building standards.

These educational initiatives, building on Alquist's existing programs in its home state of Colorado, are foundational investments. They are designed to ensure that as the demand for 3D-printed buildings grows, a skilled generation of builders is ready to operate the machines, manage the projects, and continue innovating, turning the promise of robotic construction into a tangible reality across the country.