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Construction Manager

See what a solar construction manager does and how to build a career in the field.

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A free Academy account is required. 22 lessons.

About Construction Manager

Construction managers keep solar projects safe, on schedule and on budget. This course covers the role on site, mobilization, drawings and specs, managing the schedule, subcontractors, safety, quality, change orders, utility coordination and turnover, then how to grow a construction management career.

What You'll Learn

Know the role

Understand self-perform vs subcontracted models and a day on site.

Run the job

Manage the schedule, crews, safety, quality and change orders.

Solve field problems

Coordinate with the utility and AHJ and handle common issues.

Build your career

See the backgrounds, skills and certifications that help.

Explore the Course Topics

22 lessons, grouped by topic. Open a topic to see its lessons.

01The construction manager's role4 lessons
  1. What a Solar Construction Manager Does
  2. Where Construction Sits in the Project Lifecycle
  3. EPC Self-Perform vs Subcontracted Models
  4. A Day in the Life on Site
02Getting ready to build2 lessons
  1. Mobilization Readiness and Site Logistics
  2. Reading Construction Drawings and Specs
03Running the job6 lessons
  1. Managing the Construction Schedule
  2. Managing Subcontractors and Crews
  3. Safety Leadership on a Solar Site
  4. Quality Control and Inspections
  5. Managing Change Orders and RFIs
  6. Cost, Progress and Reporting
04Field problems and outside coordination2 lessons
  1. Common Field Problems and How CMs Solve Them
  2. Coordinating with the Utility and AHJ
05Commissioning, turnover and capstone2 lessons
  1. Punchlist, Commissioning, and Turnover
  2. Capstone: Ready to Build, Ready to Hand Over
06Building a construction management career6 lessons
  1. Career Paths Into Construction Management
  2. Adjacent Backgrounds (General Contracting, Electrical, Military)
  3. Skills That Set Great CMs Apart
  4. Certifications That Help (OSHA, PMP, NABCEP)
  5. How to Land Your First CM or Assistant CM Role
  6. Career Progression: Field Engineer to Director of Construction