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.
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.
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.
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.