Etiquette Class Elevates Professionalism Among Construction Students
Throughout Careers and Technical Education (CTE) Month® in February, NAHB will feature inspiring workforce development stories from members, HBAs, students and technical education faculty.
Do you recall the first time you ever attended a banquet with white tablecloths and napkins, crystal goblets, an array of silverware and multiple plates in front of you? A bit overwhelming, perhaps. Now put yourself into the shoes of your younger employees, who have grown up in a fast-food, carry-out society where only a few meals a week are eaten around a family dinner table and formal dining is almost unknown.
To address this issue, the HBA of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri's Professional Women in Building Council sponsors an annual dining etiquette class for students at an area CTE high school. Students from the Culinary Arts program prepare a formal luncheon and students from the Construction Trades program partake in the meal — slowly, in unison, led each step of the way by an etiquette expert.
Lessons throughout the lunch include how to manage one's napkin and silverware during the meal and how to converse while dining, how to respond to unfamiliar foods, and what to do when mishaps occur at the table.
The short course has been well-received by the students, who realize that proper etiquette will be helpful in job interviews and the workplace. "I am glad for the instruction," said one of the participants. "It will make me more comfortable when I have to meet with someone over a meal."
Dawn Thurman, marketing manager of Consort Homes and PWB member, says employers find value in teaching young people, who spend so much time communicating through email and social media, the importance of "Looking someone in the eye while having a conversation, knowing the meaning of a firm handshake, how to have a meeting during a meal [and] using respectful words such as please, thank you, and you’re welcome."
Learn more about how HBAs across the country are leading workforce development initiatives by signing up for the bi-monthly Workforce Development Champions Corner newsletter.
Sponsored by:
Latest from NAHBNow
Mar 31, 2026
NAHB’s Newest Savings Program Helps Members Build Financial StrengthFrom navigating cash flow to planning for long-term growth, having the right financial tools in place can make a meaningful difference. To help support members in these efforts, NAHB is excited to announce its latest member savings program partner: Signature Federal Credit Union.
Mar 30, 2026
NAHB Student Chapter at Alabama A&M University Off to Fast StartAAMU made its debut at the IBS Student Competition in Orlando. The chapter’s quick formation, ties to its local HBA and strong student leadership skills tell an inspiring tale of what NAHB members can do to support the future of the residential construction industry.
Latest Economic News
Mar 31, 2026
Soft Construction Labor Market Shows Decline for Open PositionsThe number of open positions in construction in February was down year-over-year, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).
Mar 30, 2026
NAHB HBGI: Micro Markets Lone Bright Spot for Single-Family Building in Fourth QuarterSingle-family construction declined further in the fourth quarter in all but sparsely populated micro counties, according to the NAHB Home Building Geography Index (HBGI).
Mar 26, 2026
State/Local Property Tax Revenue Rises Past $210 Billion in the Fourth QuarterProperty tax revenue collected by state and local governments rose for the ninth consecutive quarter according to the Census Bureau’s quarterly summary of state and local tax revenue.