Strategic Partnership Program

Clark's Strategic Partnership Program (SPP) is an essential component of our commitment to fostering inclusive growth that strengthens small businesses, our communities, and our industry. 

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Strategic Partnership Program
About The Program

SPP provides small business owners with a solid foundation for smart, sustainable growth and long-term success. Offered at no cost, this executive education program is primarily for small minority-, women-, and veteran-owned firms working in construction, engineering, and architecture. Participants receive comprehensive construction management and business skills training from experienced industry leaders. 

By the Numbers

1,500+
Program Graduates
2006
Year Founded
$1.5B+
Clark contracts awarded to SPP alumni
$2.5B+
Clark contracts pledged to SPP alumni by 2031
Locations
Baltimore, Maryland
Chicago, Illinois
Houston, Texas
Los Angeles, California
McLean, Virginia
Nashville, Tennessee
Richmond, Virginia
San Diego, California
San Francisco, California
Seattle, Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should apply to SPP?

SPP is designed for small, minority-, women-, and veteran-owned firms in construction, engineering, and architecture. Ideal candidates have three or more years of operational experience. 

Where is the program located?

SPP is currently offered in markets across the country. Please see our current list of SPP cities for a location near you.

How is SPP different from other programs?

Small business inclusion is an investment that’s central to how Clark operates. SPP sets up participants for long-term success, and our teams are truly invested in seeing you and your business thrive. Reflective of our commitment to quality in everything Clark delivers, SPP offers thorough technical and soft skills training where participants have direct access to learn from our teams of experts. 

What do SPP participants learn?

Participants learn the technical and business skills training small business leaders need to successfully compete for, win, and deliver work on large-scale construction projects.

The program features a unique blend of lectures, interactive group discussion, and hands-on experiential classroom learning. Clark’s building professionals work alongside outside subject matter experts to lead in-depth classroom discussions on topics such as finance and accounting, insurance and bonding, project management, contract review, estimating, and purchasing.

Participants also learn general business competencies, such as networking and presentation skills. The core curriculum is reinforced through a series of quarterly assessments, which help ensure participants grasp key course concepts.

What is the Capstone Project?

The program culminates in a Capstone Project that further underscores the importance of business skills, teamwork, and forming strategic relationships to strengthen competitive advantage and the likelihood of success in future pursuits. During this intensive final assignment, participants work in teams and leverage the knowledge gained throughout the course to compile a competitive bid, deliver a compelling presentation, and compete for a hypothetical construction contract. As a final step in the process, Capstone teams present to a panel of Clark executives.

What does it cost to participate in SPP?

There is no cost to participate. Participants accepted into SPP are expected to commit their time over several months to complete the course. 

How long is the SPP course?

SPP courses begin in September each year and meet weekly in the evenings. While course length varies slightly in each market, the program curriculum averages nine months. 

What can I expect after I complete SPP?

SPP alumni join a nationwide network of more than 1,300 business leaders. Alumni have access to SPP ENCORE programming, which provides continuing education and networking opportunities at no charge. While completing SPP does not guarantee a contract with Clark Construction, we are proud to have awarded more than $1.3 billion in contracts to SPP alumni.

Get in Touch

Have a question, or want to get in touch with a member of the Clark team? We’d love to hear from you.