HBI Continues to Support Online Learning Initiatives
To support online learning during this time, HBI is offering a promotion to the first 25 organizations that sign or renew a Pre-Apprenticeship Certification Training (PACT) license. The PACT training system for students is based on HBI’s National Construction Skill Standards and NAHB’s National Green Building Standards™. The offer includes receiving up to 20 industry-recognized student certificates for free, a $1,500 value.
HBI is hosting a webinar on June 3 for those interested in learning more about signing or renewing a PACT license and integrating it with online learning. Webinar attendees will be able to speak with a current PACT licensee to help determine if PACT is right for their own organization or school.
In addition, HBI’s free online learning tool, CTEtechWorks, has been extended to June 30. This initiative supports building-trades students continue learning online while schools are closed. The Flexible Instruction Day (FID) material does not require textbooks or workbooks to accommodate self-paced student learning. Fundamental knowledge and skills, such as safety, communication, social media presence and interviewing are examples of subject areas that will be organized into online learning paths.
Learn more about HBI’s online learning program.
Latest from NAHBNow
Material Costs
Feb 27, 2026
Senate Bill Would Exclude Building Materials from TariffsNAHB worked with Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) to introduce legislation that would address the housing affordability crisis by creating an exemption process for building materials from tariffs.
Environmental Issues | Advocacy
Feb 27, 2026
New Army Corps Initiative Will Streamline Permitting ProcessThe Army Corps of Engineers on Feb. 23 announced a new initiative called “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” that the agency said will “shorten permitting timelines, and reduce or eliminate extraneous regulations and paperwork.”
Latest Economic News
Economics
Feb 27, 2026
Gains for Student Housing Construction in the Last Quarter of 2025Private fixed investment for student dormitories was up 1.5% in the last quarter of 2025, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of $3.9 billion. This gain followed three consecutive quarterly declines before rebounding in the final two quarters of the year.
Economics
Feb 27, 2026
Price Growth for Building Materials Slows to Start the YearResidential building material prices rose at a slower rate in January, according to the latest Producer Price Index release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This was the first decline in the rate of price growth since April of last year. Metal products continue to experience price increases, while specific wood products are showing declines in prices.
Economics
Feb 26, 2026
Home Improvement Loan Applications Moderate as Borrower Profile Gradually AgesHome improvement activity has remained elevated in the post-pandemic period, but both the volume of loan applications and the age profile of borrowers have shifted in notable ways. Data from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA), analyzed by NAHB, show that total home improvement loan applications have eased from their recent post-pandemic peak, and the distribution of borrowers across age groups has gradually tilted older.