Funding Available to Support HBA Workforce Development Programs
The National Housing Endowment (NHE) has set a bold goal for 2022 – to introduce 10,000 young people to career opportunities in the residential skilled trades.
To help meet this challenge, state and local home builders associations are encouraged to apply for the Career Connections grant program, funded by the Skilled Labor Fund and managed by the NHE.
The purpose of this funding is to support activities that introduce students to careers in residential skilled trades, including:
- Traditional “career fairs” where students meet prospective employers in a trade show format
- Presentations where industry professionals educate students about the career opportunities in residential skilled trades
- Industry participation in community or school organized career events
- Any bona fide activity that promotes the trades to students or endeavors to make employment connections
Grants up to $2,500 will be awarded by the Fund. The committee will consider each application and will award funds based upon merit and funding availability. Allocation of funds is determined by a committee representing the SLF, NHE, NAHB and any direction provided by contributors.
Applications are due Feb. 16, 2022, for career events taking place by Nov. 18, 2022. Grant recipients will be announced in March 2022. Contact Mark Pursell, NHE President & CEO, with any questions.
Latest from NAHBNow
Membership | Leadership Meetings
Jan 05, 2026
Leadership Council Delegate Nominations Due Jan. 30NAHB members who are interested in serving as a delegate to NAHB's 2026 Leadership Council are encouraged to contact their local home builders’ association (HBA). The deadline for HBAs to nominate delegates to the 2026 Leadership Council is Friday, Jan. 30.
Membership | HBA
Jan 05, 2026
Dallas BA Builds Mortgage-Free Homes for Veterans, First Responders in NeedThe Dallas Builders Association has partnered with Operation Finally Home, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, for more than a decade to provide mortgage-free homes for injured veterans and first responders.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Jan 05, 2026
Housing Share of GDP: Third Quarter 2025Housing’s share of the economy was 16.1% in the third quarter of 2025, according to the latest estimates of GDP produced by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This share is down from 16.3% in the second quarter but has remained about 16% since the fourth quarter of 2019.
Economics
Jan 05, 2026
Strong Economic Growth for Third QuarterA belated GDP report shows that the U.S. economy expanded at a strong pace in the third quarter–July through September–before signs of cooling appeared in the labor market and consumer confidence weakened.
Economics
Jan 02, 2026
Top Posts – The Power of Women in the WorkforceOver the past 125 years, women have played a crucial and multifaceted role in the labor force. Increasing women’s participation in the workforce is not only essential for individual and family well-being, but also contributes significantly to overall labor force participation rates and economic growth by adding more workers and enhancing overall productivity.