Sparking the Next Generation’s Interest in Skilled Trades

Workforce Development

Published Sep 12, 2022

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children reading about careers in construction on panels — Nearly 200 children learned about careers in construction during the Summer Skilled Trades Showcase presented by the Wilmington-Cape Fear HBA and its PWB council as well as the local YMCA.

children looking at a construction demo — Nearly 200 children learned about careers in construction during the Summer Skilled Trades Showcase presented by the Wilmington-Cape Fear HBA and its PWB council as well as the local YMCA.

Bringing new and younger workers into residential construction is a top priority for NAHB and the industry at large in a coordinated effort to address housing affordability and meet the growing demand for new homes. To kick off the annual celebration of Professional Women in Building (PWB) Week, Sept. 12-16, 2022, NAHB’s PWB Council will host an online shop talk with industry professionals sharing what they are doing to engage the next generation of workers in the field.

Join the Shop Talk: Sparking Future Generations’ Interest in the Trades, at 2 p.m. ET on Sept. 12. Jeffrey Smith, executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa; Steph Reed, member of the Home Builders Association of Des Moines PWB; and Kristin Marzarella, PWB leader and Young Professional (YP) member from the Shore Builders Association of Central New Jersey, will share how they bring together members of their local builder associations, area schools and vocational centers, career training partners, students, parents and guidance counselors to help solve this critical issue.

The conversation will be moderated by 2022 NAHB PWB Professional Development Subcommittee Chair Carrie DeWeese, also with the HBA of Greater Tulsa.

The NAHB PWB Council also celebrates the recent Summer Skilled Trades Showcase presented by the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Association and its PWB Council, as well as the local YMCA in Wilmington. The event hosted nearly 200 children aged 5-7 for a hands-on learning opportunity with local carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters and other members of the residential construction industry in the Wilmington area, presenting the career pathway to earning a great salary with a sense of accomplishment without the burden of college debt.

This year, NAHB also partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to promote construction career pathways by connecting young people to industry professionals. NAHB provided the Boys & Girls Clubs with work-based learning activities and access to essential skills development programs to further their career exploration.

All of NAHB’s workforce development efforts continue year-round. Find out more at nahb.org/workforce.

And to find out more about how you can help celebrate PWB Week, including a toolkit with tips and activities for the week, visit nahb.org/pwbweek.

Thank you to PWB Week exclusive sponsor Lowe’s Pro.