5 Ways to Start Recruiting the Next Generation of Skilled Workers

Workforce Development
Published
Jobs in the residential construction industry continue to be in high demand. To help recruit the next generation of highly skilled craftspeople, NAHB recognizes Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month®, a public awareness campaign that takes place each February to celebrate the value of CTE. Now is the time to begin planning how your business or HBA will engage with local classrooms. CTE programs are designed to help students explore different career pathways, earn industry recognized certifications and learn the soft-skills needed for today's workplace. As you begin planning for an in-person or virtual event, consider hosting a dynamic panel discussion or leading a candid conversation, which is much more engaging for students than a standard presentation. If able to safely do so, a hands-on activity or other creative form of career exploration can make a big impression on students.

 

Simple Ways to Engage Students

Here are a few suggested activities to participate in or lead during CTE month:
  • Participate in Job Shadow Day. On Feb. 2, consider volunteering to virtually share a "day in the life" of your career with a classroom. Students will be able to see real-world examples of careers in action, as well as be exposed to the workplace.
  • Host a Career Exploration Panel at your company or HBA, Feb. 8-12. Highlight rewarding job opportunities and inform your audience of the daily joys and challenges of your profession.
  • Donate Equipment, Feb. 15-19. Members may be in a prime position to donate equipment or supplies that meet industry standards, ensuring that students in secondary and post-secondary institutions have access to appropriate instruments for the respective career fields they hope to enter.
  • Teach a middle school lesson plan for Teach-In Week, Feb. 22-26. Engage students at the middle school level, creating excitement for technical career pathways. View sample lesson plans.
  • Share on Social Media. Use photos, link to press releases, or share your CTE story on social. Include hashtags #CTEmonth, #STEM, #WorkforceDevelopment, and #CareerTechEd and #SkillsGap.
Access more workforce development resources at nahb.org. To offer new ideas and ask questions about CTE month, contact Greg Zick.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Economics

Jul 03, 2025

Consumer Confidence Retreats in June

After a strong rebound in May, consumer confidence resumed its downward trend in June. Consumers remain concerned about the economy and labor market amid ongoing uncertainty, especially around tariffs.

Sponsored Content

Jul 02, 2025

5 Proven Strategies Smart Builders Use to Grow in Any Market

Sound Capital has worked with builders across market cycles for over 20 years. They have seen who thrived when others pulled back, and they've studied the strategies they used to scale while competitors were sidelined. Here are five things they all had in common.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Jul 03, 2025

Solid Job Growth in June

The U.S. labor market continued to show resilience in June, with steady job gains led by state/local government and health care sectors.

Economics

Jul 02, 2025

Two or More Story Home Starts Rebound in 2024

Over half of new single-family homes built in 2024 were two or more stories, according the recent release of the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC). After declining in 2023, the share of homes started with two or more stories increased again in 2024, continuing the upward trend in place since 2020.

Economics

Jul 01, 2025

May Private Residential Construction Spending Dips

Private residential construction spending fell by 0.5% in May, marking the fifth straight month of decreases. This drop was primarily driven by reduced spending on single-family construction. Compared to a year ago, total spending was down 6.7%, as the housing sector continues to navigate the economic uncertainty stemming from ongoing tariff concerns and elevated mortgage rates.