Built on Trust. Trained for the Trade.
Our in-house training and career development program, giving every Crosby Brownlie team member the skills, credentials, and support to grow, from first day on the job to running the project.
Welcome to CB Academy
Real Training. Real Jobs. Real Growth.
We’ve been exceeding expectations for our clients since 1979, and that starts with how we train our people. CB Academy is built and led by our own senior tradespeople, estimators, and project managers, reflecting the real work we do across process piping, HVAC, plumbing, and fabrication.
Whether you’re just starting out or working toward your next title, CB Academy gives you a clear path forward, backed by the people who’ve walked it themselves.
Program Tracks
Your Path to Field Leader — and Beyond
We route a career the same way we route a system, stage by stage, built around one destination: becoming a Field Leader who can run the job and run the crew, with a clear line beyond that into superintendent and project leadership roles.
Stage 01 — Early Career
Foundations
Industry Partners
Crosby Brownlie is a signatory contractor across several mechanical trade unions. SMART and the United Association are the two internationals whose locals do the bulk of our field training, spanning Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, Binghamton and more.
SMART
International Assoc. of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation Workers
- International union representing sheet metal, HVAC/R & transportation trades nationwide
- 4–5 year paid apprenticeship through each local’s JATC
- Earn while you learn alongside classroom instruction
United Association (UA)
Plumbing, Pipefitting & HVACR Service Techs
- International union representing plumbers, pipefitters & HVACR service techs nationwide
- 5 year paid apprenticeship through each local’s JATC
- Joint training with the Mechanical Contractors Association
Stage 02 — Mid Career
Specialization
Certifications You Can Earn
Credentials that travel with you across any specialty and are recognized industry-wide.
Stage 03 — Field Leader & Beyond
Leadership
Crew scheduling, project financials, and client relationship management, the skills that make a Field Leader, and the foundation for the roles that come after it.
Leadership Development
Beyond the tools of the trade, this is where you build the business skills to run a project end to end.
- Job costing, scheduling & project financials in Procore
- Crew scheduling & manpower planning across multiple jobsites
- Client relationship management from proposal through closeout
- Mentoring the next Foundations cohort coming up behind you
Your Path Starts Here.
From your first day on the job to running the crew — CB Academy gives you the training to get there.