Wisconsin Builders Break Ground on Workforce Center
On July 13, the Madison Area Builders Association (MABA) participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for a new facility to train the next generation of construction industry professionals. NAHB CEO Jerry Howard, Boys and Girls Club of Dane County (BGCDC) First Chair Dr. Leslie Petty and other community leaders took part in the event.
Through a partnership with BGCDC, the new McKenzie Regional Workforce Center will serve as a skilled trades learning hub for local students.
MABA member John McKenzie spearheaded the development of the center. He purchased and donated the building, which will also serve as the future home of MABA’s offices.
“These are great jobs and they’re satisfying jobs but they’re not being advocated for — they’re not being taught in schools,” said McKenzie during the ceremony. “The industry is primarily a bunch of old white men and they’re aging out…we need more women in the workforce, we need more people of color in the workforce.”
Like many areas across the country, Wisconsin is facing a critical shortage of skilled construction workers, says Chad Lawler, executive director of MABA. Carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, framing crews and welding classes will be offered at the new training center. The facility will reach up to 3,000 students who currently participate with BGCDC through after-school and weekend programs.
Elementary school students will have the opportunity to take introductory classes and middle schoolers will learn about the trades at an intermediate level. Students ages 16 and older will be invited to participate in hands-on experiences with comprehensive instruction.
“The ultimate goal is not just to introduce the students into the trades but to also teach them leadership and entrepreneur skills, as well as how to run a business,” said Lawler.
The workforce center is expected to welcome students in the fall of 2022.
Latest from NAHBNow
Material Costs
Jan 02, 2026
Trump Delays Higher Tariffs on Furniture, Kitchen Cabinets for One YearPresident Trump has announced he will be rolling back higher tariffs on furniture, kitchen cabinets and vanities that were set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, until Jan. 1, 2027.
Housing Finance
Jan 02, 2026
FHA’s MMI Fund Capital Ratio Remained Solid in Fiscal Year 2025The capital reserve ratio for the Federal Housing Administration’s Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund ended the fiscal year at 11.47% — unchanged from the capital ratio for fiscal year 2024 and well above the congressionally mandated 2% capital ratio.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Dec 22, 2025
State-Level Employment Situation: September 2025In September 2025, nonfarm payroll employment was largely unchanged across states on a monthly basis, with a limited number of states seeing statistically significant increases or decreases. This reflects generally stable job counts across states despite broader labor market fluctuations. The data were impacted by collection delays due to the federal government shutdown.
Economics
Dec 19, 2025
Existing Home Sales Edge Higher in NovemberExisting home sales rose for the third consecutive month in November as lower mortgage rates continued to boost home sales, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). However, the increase remained modest as mortgage rates still stayed above 6% while down from recent highs. The weakening job market also weighed on buyer activity.
Economics
Dec 18, 2025
Lumber Capacity Lower Midway Through 2025Sawmill production has remained essentially flat over the past two years, according to the Federal Reserve G.17 Industrial Production report. This most recent data release contained an annual revision, which resulted in higher estimates for both production and capacity in U.S. sawmills.