Colorado Construction Skills Bootcamp Combats Workforce Shortage

This post has been updated. An innovative program for high school-aged students through adults in Colorado is working to close the skilled workforce gap by creating awareness of satisfying career opportunities in construction. Colorado Homebuilding Academy's Construction Skills Bootcamp has graduated more than 600 students with a solid foundation of construction skills, exposure to different skilled trades, OSHA-10 certification, career support and networking, and a set of starter tools. The cost of the program is free for anyone pursing a new job or promotion in Colorado's construction industry. The Colorado Homebuilding Academy has been providing hands-on learning and job placement since its opening in 2017. It was founded through a partnership with BuildStrong Education, Oakwood Homes and the nonprofit training program Colorado Construction Institute (CCI) to address a serious skilled labor shortage facing the industry. The facility is also supported by local builders, universities, foundations and trade associations, including the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver. The bootcamp recruits potential students through job fairs, schools, local job recruitment offices and community organizations. Following completion of the program, the academy helps students secure their first job by providing resume review and career coaching, and hosting a career fair. Training also includes certification from the Home Builders Institute. If you have a successful skilled trades training program, NAHB wants to hear about it. Contact Greg Zick, NAHB assistant vice president of workforce development, to share your program. To find out more information about how NAHB is supporting the industry's workforce development efforts, visit nahb.org.