Shaping Tomorrow's Workforce
One Student at a Time
At Careers in Construction Northwest (CICNW), we take a hybrid approach to education, developing both hard and soft skills so that students can thrive in the design, build, coordination, leadership, and finance of projects. Giving students the tools to design their own futures and build meaningful, successful lives.
Through our “Toolbox Concept,” we help every student assemble their own set of essential skills — a well-balanced mix of knowledge, technical ability, soft skills, and positive lifestyle habits. These are the tools that lead to confidence, independence, and long-term success.
Our mission is to help students become independent builders of their own destinies, capable of creating opportunity instead of waiting for it.
At CICNW, we’re breaking away from the old college vs. non-college mindset and focusing on what really matters:
preparing every student to be career-ready — and life-ready.
Building Futures. Strengthening Communities.
My name is Jon Girod, owner of Quail Homes.
When I started my business in 1989, I never imagined that decades later, I’d discover my greatest purpose yet—building the next generation of builders.
In 2021, after meeting with every school superintendent in Southwest Washington, I learned something surprising: only about one-third of our students go on to college—yet our schools were built and budgeted almost entirely around them.
Even the few vocational programs that existed were preparing students for hobbies, not careers.
That’s when I realized how I could give back.
We reimagined our 501(c)(3) nonprofit as Careers in Construction Northwest (CICNW)—a mission-driven organization dedicated to helping students graduate job-ready, not just diploma-ready.
Our focus is simple:
Increase student participation in construction programs
Align curriculum with real-world industry needs
Build connections between students and employers so graduates can step directly into rewarding careers
When we began in 2021, only 100 students were enrolled in construction classes across Southwest Washington.
By the fall of 2025, that number has grown to over 2,200.
Here’s how we’re making it happen:
Partnering with schools to implement Core Plus, a state-approved curriculum that lets students earn geometry credit while learning construction—how cool is that?
Helping schools build world-class trade centers: Four completed, one under construction, three funded and in design, and two more upgrading existing facilities.
Supporting students in SkillsUSA competitions, where they’re winning big—like Hudson’s Bay High School’s state plumbing champion, who went on to place 15th nationally after just two years in the program.
At Careers in Construction Northwest, our core purpose is clear:
Empower students with skills, confidence, and opportunities to build strong careers—and stronger communities.
