NAHB Inspires Kids in D.C. to Join the Trades

NAHB helped spark interest in residential construction during "The Big Build" on Oct. 14 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. The free, hands-on festival celebrated the world of design and building. The Museum’s Great Hall had dozens of booths with activities such as wiring a light, pouring concrete, and hammering nails.

More than 4,000 families in the nation’s capital region — including Washington, D.C. and portions of Maryland and Virginia — visited the NAHB, National Housing Endowment (NHE), Home Builders Institute (HBI) and The House that She Built booths during the event. NAHB, NHE and HBI staff talked to children, provided parents with information about the skilled trades and underscored the value of careers in construction.

Kids who stopped by the NAHB booth participated in the “Style Your Tile” activity. NAHB provided each child with a blank tile to decorate to their liking using paint and markers. The project challenged the kids to think creatively and inspired self-confidence in their individualism through design.

“NAHB is proud to be a National Building Museum partner and participate in this high-energy, high-impact event for the second year in a row,” said Greg Zick, NAHB's AVP of workforce development. “Construction career exploration through informal, engaging activities can help children identify their interest, and as they grow into their teens develop skills that may one day lead to a career in construction.”

To help HBAs and members educate their community about the skilled trades throughout Careers in Construction Month in October, NAHB has an online toolkit available. NAHB members raising awareness of the skilled trades in their communities can complete the Workforce Development Champions Checklist to be formally recognized by NAHB as an advocate for the skilled trades.

Visit the Workforce Development Champions page on nahb.org for more information.