Calling All Contractors: City of San José to Launch Unique Construction Academy  
in Spring 2021 
“Building Our City With Our Community” 
  
SAN JOSE, CA – Vice Mayor Chappie Jones is encouraging contractors across Santa Clara County to participate in the San José Public Works Department’s upcoming Construction Academy’s Construction Contracting Seminar Series (Seminar Series) beginning in the Spring.  It is a unique program available in only a handful of cities across the nation.  It was initiated in 2019 as an effort to prioritize small and local business and provide them with opportunities to financially participate in construction projects.  This could lead to significant rewards considering the City’s five-year Capital Improvement Program is valued at over $4 billion. 

Vice Mayor Chappie Jones, Chair of the City’s Small Business Advisory Task Force, shared “Our measurement of success is when we have a strong and vibrant small business community in San José that is winning contracts and creating wealth and employment in our communities." By completing the Seminar Series, participants benefit by learning how to navigate and manage a public works construction contract from bidding to project completion.  
 
Matt Cano, Director of Public Works for the City of San José noted, “As stewards over a multibillion dollar capital improvement program, we have a responsibility to not only construct quality projects, but also to engage our community in the construction of these projects, thus increasing opportunities for local residents and businesses.” 

The Seminar Series will occur weekly for six weeks from May 5 to June 16 from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Attendance will help contractors streamline their processes, avoid pitfalls, and place them in the best position to bid on and complete a public works project. Registration is available at www.sanjoseca.gov/constructionacademy.  

In addition, two free virtual Opportunity Awareness events are scheduled for April 21, 2021 from  9:00 to 10:00 a.m. (Session A)  and 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. (Session B). Attendance is optional and participants are encouraged to register for one session. Both sessions will contain the same agenda and programmatic information. These events will allow contractors to learn about new public works bid solicitations and they will offer networking  opportunities with City staff, prime, and subcontractors.  Registration is available at www.sanjoseca.gov/constructionacademy.  

The program was initiated in coordination with various San José City departments, the Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center, local chambers of commerce, and the City’s Small Business Advisory Task Force. Three cycles of the Construction Academy have been successfully completed thus far. As the City continues to work to increase small and local business participation, Vice Mayor Chappie Jones remains optimistic and shared, “I am encouraged by the progress the City of San José has made. With the advice and guidance from the San José Small Business Advisory Task Force, City staff has been able to design programs that meet the needs of our City’s small businesses.  I look forward to continuing to expand opportunities for small business to work with the City.” 

Matt Cano, Public Works Department Director, 408.535.8477, matt.cano@sanjoseca.gov