North Carolina Builders Boost Workforce Development Efforts
The North Carolina home building industry is taking meaningful action to increase the visibility of technical careers and training opportunities available in the state. The North Carolina Home Builders Educational and Charitable Foundation recently signed a $5 million contract with the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) to officially launch the Be Pro Be Proud workforce development pilot program. Be Pro Be Proud, which began as an initiative in Arkansas, aims to change the public’s perception of technical careers.
The goal of the program is to stimulate student, parent, and educator interest in technical professions within the construction, manufacturing, transportation, and utility industries. The program will be administered by the foundation with oversight from NCDOL. Funding is provided by the state and includes collaborations with several local government offices, community, and industry partners.
“Labor is the number one issue for our industry right now, and Be Pro Be Proud is one meaningful way for us to move the needle in the right direction,” said Tim Minton, North Carolina Home Builders Association Executive Vice President. “We are excited to play an active role in this partnership, as we know this program will put North Carolina ahead of the curve in terms of addressing the needs of the workforce.”
The program utilizes a custom-built mobile workshop trailer that is outfitted with virtual reality simulations and provides hands-on experience with skilled professionals. The mobile workshop offers a dynamic environment for middle and high school students to step into a life of a technical professional.
After touring the mobile unit, students who are interested in learning more will be connected to additional opportunities for hands-on learning and volunteering. Invitations to networking events with job and postsecondary school recruiters also will be provided. The first mobile workshop stops are tentatively scheduled for the fall 2022 school year.
Latest from NAHBNow
Education at IBS
Dec 04, 2025
How IBS 2026 Can Provide a Tech-Focused Strategy for Your BusinessTechnology is no longer optional. Whether in estimating, virtual tours, CRM workflows or jobsite visibility, smart tech is a differentiator for your company. Check out these three key tools at the 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) in Orlando to help you get a jumpstart on tech for your business in the coming year.
House Prices
Dec 03, 2025
Top and Bottom 10 Markets for House Price AppreciationSince the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, house prices have surged nationally. Between the first quarter of 2020 and the third quarter of 2025, house prices climbed 54.9% nationwide, with more than half of metro areas exceeding this rate. See which markets have seen the biggest increases — and the least.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Dec 04, 2025
Number of Bathrooms in New Single-Family Homes in 2024Single-family homes started in 2024 typically had two full bathrooms, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Construction. Homes with three full bathrooms continued to have the second largest share of starts at around 23%. Meanwhile, both homes with four full bathrooms or more and homes with one bathroom or less made up under ten percent of homes started.
Economics
Dec 03, 2025
House Price Appreciation by State and Metro Area: Third Quarter 2025House prices continued to rise in the third quarter of 2025, though the pace of growth slowed as elevated mortgage rates, affordability challenges, and persistent economic uncertainty weighed on consumer demand. After several years of rapid growth, Hawaii and 38 metro areas saw house price declines this quarter, highlighting significant regional variations in market conditions.
Economics
Dec 02, 2025
Single-Family Construction Loan Volume Rises in the Third QuarterSingle-family construction lending picked up in the third quarter, amidst the overall cooling lending environment. Loan balances for 1-4 family construction grew to $91.2 billion in the third quarter, registering the first annual increase in over two years.