Home Builders Institute, The Home Depot Foundation Commit $500,000 for Student Training

The Home Builders Institute announced The Home Depot Foundation will commit up to $500,000 to fund student training in home construction careers in high schools across the country. Additionally, the National Housing Endowment, the philanthropic arm of the National Association of Home Builders, pledged $200,000 in support of the effort. This combined $700,000 will provide training to thousands of students for construction trades skills.

The funds will allow HBI and THDF to provide a hands-on curriculum for high school students nationwide, along with instructor training and materials. Upon completion, students will earn a pre-apprenticeship certification endorsed by NAHB and recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor. The programs will be available at no additional cost to students and their families. 

"The home building industry faces a skilled trades gap," says Ed Brady, HBI president and CEO. "As a result, opportunities for well-paid, rewarding careers in residential construction are tremendous."

THDF's $500,000 commitment is part of a $50-million partnership with HBI, launched in 2018 to train 20,000 tradespeople over 10 years.

The latest announcement was made in Las Vegas at NAHB's 2020 International Builders Show. At a news conference, Brady also announced that HBI received the additional commitment of $200,000 from the National Housing Endowment to support this latest work by the organization in secondary schools to create career technical training in the building industry.

To apply for program funding, educators should visit:  www.hbi.org/SchoolsToSkills.

Read more about opportunities and new ideas for labor in Window + Door's workforce development series.