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
Dec 23, 2025
The 5 Types of Builders — and the One Built to ProsperMost builders want the same things: predictable profits, less stress, and a business that doesn’t grind them down year after year.
Dec 23, 2025
Lumber Capacity Has Peaked for 2025An annual revision to the Federal Reserve G.17 Industrial Production report shows current sawmill production levels above 2017 by 7.5%, but just 0.3% above 2023 levels.
Latest Economic News
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.
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.
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.