Workforce Development Champions

Be a Workforce Development Champion

Despite competitive pay, the home building industry continues to experience labor shortages, which impacts housing affordability. Now more than ever, the industry needs more workforce development champions. NAHB members and home builders associations are the best advocates for the skilled trades and there are many ways to get involved. Champions provide job shadowing opportunities at their jobsite, participate in career day events, guest lecture at local schools or donate equipment to shop classes. If you’re interested in becoming a workforce development champion, NAHB has a list of ideas to help you get started.

Establish a Workforce Development Committee and Strategic Plan

Growing the next generation of home builders and skilled employees requires HBAs and members to proactively promote and educate the public about the value of careers in construction. Establishing a workforce development committee and strategic plan is the best place to start.

To help HBAs and members determine how to allocate resources (time, talent, and treasure) around workforce development outreach, NAHB and Ford Next Generation Learning have developed several materials to help guide the process:

• Building the Talent Pipeline
• Workforce Development Committee and Strategic Plan Guide
• Sample meeting agenda
• Sample workforce committee descriptions
• Workforce development chair job description
• Workforce development strategic plan template
• Sample workforce development strategic plan
• An employers guide to CTE partnerships

Share Messages with Parents About the Industry

As the primary influencers in their children’s career plans, parents play a crucial role in shaping their impressions of the residential construction industry. NAHB recently commissioned a study to gain insights into parental perceptions of career decision-making and influences on their children. Based on the study findings, NAHB curated a list of activities and messages that will resonate with young adults. Learn more about the study and the recommendations.

Be Involved in Your Community

Home building professionals can serve as mentors to students who are interested in the construction trades. By sharing your knowledge, experience and expertise, you can help foster the confidence and encourage the curiosity of students who want to pursue a residential construction career.

The NAHB Student Competition gives students the opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom to a real construction company by completing a management project/proposal. The competition takes place at the International Builders Show (IBS) each year, however, many schools have teams that complete the project without travelling to IBS for the competition.

The Secondary Program is the best resource for industry members to work with high school students. Mentors can work with the problem statement materials to help students complete a management project.

Leading or volunteering in a career exploration activity is another great way to introduce students to the trades. The National Housing Endowment (NHE) funds various career outreach activities through its Career Connections Grants. NAHB and NHE’s Career Connections Playbook can help HBAs and members start workforce development outreach efforts.

Create an Internship

The Student Internship Resources for NAHB members guide focuses on how home builders can engage with three different talent resources to meet these needs: secondary (high school) students in career and technical (CTE) education programs, community college students, and university students. This guide can also assist the home builder in understanding how secondary schools, colleges and universities may offer work-study student-learning opportunities and deciding which type of student resource best fits the company’s needs.