Wisconsin Builders Break Ground on Workforce Center

Membership
Published

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.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

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

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Membership | Advocacy

Jul 02, 2025

From Disaster Relief to Challenging Gas Bans, HBAs are Making a Difference

Nearly two dozen HBAs received Association Excellence Awards for outstanding contributions they made on behalf of their members and communities in 2024.

Advocacy

Jul 01, 2025

One Big Beautiful Bill Act Will Spur Economic Growth

NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes issued the following statement after the Senate passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

View all

Latest Economic News

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.

Economics

Jul 01, 2025

Flat Job Openings for Construction

The count of open, unfilled positions in the construction industry held steady amid a slowdown for housing, per the May Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).