At HCSS, we believe the future of heavy civil construction starts before a student's first day on the job. It starts in the classroom, in the estimating competitions, and in the professor training sessions. Essentially, anywhere students get a real, hands-on look at the tools and technology shaping the industry they're about to enter. Ultimately, that's the whole mission behind the HCSS University Program.
From a new partnership with Texas A&M to continued support of student estimating competitions and professor training bootcamps across the country, we’ve doubled down on our commitment to educators, students, and the construction industry.
Investing in Future Estimators: The OCA Students Estimating Competition
Some of the best estimators in the industry got their start in student estimating competitions. Putting their skills to the test, using real-world plan sets, and going head-to-head against fellow, hungry estimators. This year, HCSS returned as the presenting sponsor of the Ohio Contractors Association (OCA) Student Estimating Competition for the second year. There, six-person teams from colleges across Ohio completed takeoffs, priced real-world projects, built bids, and presented their approach to industry judges. So, no pressure.
Since 2001, the competition has introduced nearly 1,500 students to heavy highway estimating. Beyond the leaderboard, students leave with sharper skills, greater confidence, and a clearer view of a career in heavy civil.
This competition underscores what we deeply believe at HCSS: the value of mentorship and industry collaboration in shaping the next generation of construction professionals. As our partnership with OCA continues to grow, so does the University Program itself — and we're excited about what's ahead as we expand this kind of support to more students and more schools in the years to come.
Joining the Texas A&M Construction Industry Advisory Council
Beyond student competitions, this year, HCSS became a member of the Texas A&M Construction Industry Advisory Council (CIAC), joining a group of industry leaders who work directly with the university's Department of Construction Science. Texas A&M's construction science program consistently ranks among the best in the country (currently #12 nationally), and graduates walk into the workforce with an employment rate near 100%.
In fact, that work is already underway. HCSS is partnering with professors Charles Gurganus, Yewande Abraham, Scott Vlasek, and Autumn Leveridge to introduce HeavyBid across the College of Architecture and College of Engineering. This gives students hands-on experience with the same estimating technology used by heavy civil contractors nationwide.
Texas A&M is also launching a new heavy civil construction elective this fall, following 2 years of development. In short, the goal is simple: teach students what the industry actually needs. Together, the numbers show just how quickly that connection between the classroom and jobsite is growing. The Construction Science Internship Program, began in 2003 with 37 interns, and grew to 455 in 2025.
Keeping Educators Ready with the ASC Estimating Bootcamp
Students aren't the only ones who benefit from hands-on exposure to industry-standard tools — their professors do too. That's why HCSS continues to participate in the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Estimating Bootcamp. An annual event that trains construction educators on real-world estimating practices and technology.
By investing in the people who are teaching the next generation of estimators and construction professionals, we're helping ensure that what happens in the classroom stays connected to what's happening in the field.
HCSS University Program Grows to Continue Construction Education
From joining the Texas A&M CIAC to supporting the OCA Student Estimating Competition and ASC Estimating Bootcamp, 2026 proved what HCSS has believed all along. The future of heavy civil is already being built in classrooms and competitions across the country.
Above all, we're grateful to our university partners, the educators, and the students who show up ready to compete and learn. This is what the HCSS University Program is about.
Want to get involved? Looking to bring HCSS tools into your classroom or explore new partnership opportunities? Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or HCSS customer ready to support local university programs, we’d love to hear from you.
To get started, reach out to universityprogram@hcss.com or visit HCSS University Program to request free educational licenses, explore partnership opportunities, or learn more about HCSS's academic resources.
