Home Builders Association of Central Arizona

Two Innovative Organizations Making Strides In Workforce Development

One of the greatest challenges facing the home building industry in recent years is a labor shortage. With more and more kids going to college, and the tightening of work visa programs for immigrants, recruiting skilled workers has been a full-time job for many home builders and trade contractors. But the tides may be turning. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal, “How Gen Z Is Becoming the Toolbelt Generation,” observes that more young workers are going into trades. A few reasons for this are disenchantment with college, rising pay, and new technologies making careers in building much more exciting.

Home builders are also making strides in workforce development. I’d like to focus on a couple of innovative programs that are demonstrating success in this arena.

Jim Sorgatz, Outhouse VP Marketing holding The House That She Built book, flanked by Natalie Miles, owner of Natalie Miles Design, and Kristi Allen, owner of Woodcastle Homes

Natalie Miles, Owner – Natalie Miles Design, and Kristi Allen, Owner – Woodcastle Homes, with Jim Sorgatz, Outhouse VP of Marketing at a PCBC Professional Women in Building Bruncheon celebrating the success of The House That She Built

She Built Foundation

First is the She Built Foundation, an organization whose mission is to inspire girls to become the next generation of builders. It all started with a little book called The House That She Built, written and illustrated by Mollie Elkman and Georgia Castellano of Group Two. Published in 2021, this book has captivated thousands, inspiring a mostly women-powered movement, bringing the book and accompanying activity book to schools, libraries, and Girl Scout troops across the U.S. To make an even greater impact, the She Built Foundation was introduced to attendees at the 2024 International Builders Show. Did you know that 41% of the U.S. construction workforce is retiring by 2031? The need for construction professionals is great. Women currently only make up 11% of our industry. This organization serves a critical role in educating young girls (and boys) on the benefits of a career in building.

Students at the Home Building Academy learning electrical installation skills

Home Building Academy

A little lesser known is the Home Building Academy located in Phoenix, Arizona. This initiative was launched in 2023, by Home Builders Care, the charitable arm of the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona (HBACA). For students in this 9-week construction training program, tuition is fully paid, and they leave with certifications in carpentry and electrical. In the first four weeks of the program, students learn the basics of construction including:

Reading a tape measure

Understanding construction documents

How to build, level, plumb, and square

Using hand and power tools

OSHA 10 safe working practices

Following the classroom introduction, students move to hands-on training in carpentry or electrical. Check out the informative video on the Academy website to learn more.

Students at the Home Building Academy practicing construction and electrical skills

Support for programs like this is crucial. Ed Brady, CEO of the Home Builders Institute, tells us we need to replace 2.1 million jobs in the next few years. We have a 2-3 generation shortage of workers, and many longtime building professionals are aging out.

One way you can support the Home Building Academy is by drinking wine and craft beers, and eating some delicious food! Coming up on Saturday, May 11, 2024, is the return of Builders Uncorked, an event I helped launch during my tenure at the HBACA. This fun evening features stations with a unique selection of wines from around the globe. All funds raised go to train the next generation of home builders.

Congratulations to HBACA CEO Jackson Moll on the success of the Home Building Academy. And cheers to Lisa Rugloski, Stratton Hickcox, and the rest of the HBACA team who are leading the charge to raise funds through the Builders Uncorked event. With Phoenix Metro being one of the fastest continually growing areas in the country, the Home Builder Academy’s role in training workers for the future is vital to the home building industry.

How mentoring kids enhances a career in nurturing client success

My "Little" and I on top of South Mountain at cancer hike in 2014 — On cancer hike with my Little in 2014

One of the accomplishments I am most proud of in life is mentoring two boys through the Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) program. With no kids of my own, I felt a calling to volunteer with this tremendous organization as I realized how growing up in a relatively stable family helped prepare my brothers and me for adulthood. There are so many kids whose lives are in constant flux or would simply benefit from a little extra adult encouragement and support. BBBS is comprised of Bigs (adult volunteers) and Littles (the kids) who are matched one on one, based on common interests. Although most activities are on your own, each match is supervised by a BBBS specialist. The minimum time commitment for a Big is 2-4 outings a month for one year, but there are many matches that evolve into lifelong friendships.

My "Little", who is no as tall as me, and I on top of South Mountain at cancer hike in 2018. — My “Little” (2nd from right) and I on cancer hike in 2018

The need for volunteers is great, especially for men as the organization seems to have an easier time recruiting Big Sisters. If you are looking to help others in a role that is both challenging and rewarding, this is the perfect opportunity. Does everything go smoothly – NO! Things can and do go wrong. My current Little is now 19 and comes with all the drama and emotions most 19-year-olds experience. Although no longer in the program we still see each other regularly. As I write this, he is staying at my home due to challenges getting along with his roommate and his mom at the same time. So, lucky me, I get the brooding young man! The bottom line is, we have grown very close during our 10+ years together and I want to do everything I can to help him find his way in the world as an adult. Bigs are also not immune to the challenges parents face. Like the title of that famous song “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll” (or in today’s world – Rap!), Bigs often have to address these issues as Littles navigate their teenage years. There was a point earlier this year where things had gone so awry, I was questioning whether my efforts made a difference at all.

And that is when, out of the blue, my first Little (now 26) sent me a chat via Messenger. Together in the program for 5 or 6 years, our match was terminated by BBBS due to a change in circumstances at his home; and this meant no further contact. Remembering a painfully shy and quiet teenager, I was not prepared for the chatterbox I encountered when we met for dinner. Confident, self-sufficient, incredibly happy, and overly-talkative, he was working as an assistant manager at Fry’s but decided to take a detour as an Uber/Lyft driver as he wanted more freedom. That evening made me realize, without a doubt, the time and energy dedicated to mentoring these young men was worth it.

What I learned while volunteering with BBBS is I am passionate about mentoring, nurturing, and helping people solve problems and overcome challenges. These interests have played an integral role in my career as well.

As former VP of member services at the Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, I helped builders and trades connect with one another through business development events and programming.

Here at Outhouse, rolling out new products (did someone say Visualizer?!) and educating clients on the full range of benefits offered by our interactive tools are two key roles. There is often much more than meets the eye. While builders actively use front-facing tools like the furniture planner, structural options selector, and pricing calculator on our Interactive Floor Plans, they sometimes forget about the lead generation, and analytics available through the back end. Outhouse may not be the largest provider of online marketing tools, but we have always taken pride in being the best. Working with clients to be sure they effectively use these tools to guide successful marketing strategies and close sales is part of that mission.

Nurturing and mentoring play an integral role in both business and our personal lives. There is so much we can learn from one another, and a great deal we can share to help others realize dreams and achieve goals. To learn more about Outhouse, or being a Big, give me a jingle at jims@outhouse.net. There is a great need for volunteers to help guide kids and teens in the right direction. It’s not easy, but I believe you will find the experience rewarding.