5 Engagement Strategies to Attract Students to the Trades

The best spokespersons for recruiting new talent to the residential construction industry are professionals in the field. And there is an urgent need to attract skilled labor. According to a recent report from the Home Builders Institute (HBI) the running annual average of job openings in construction is approximately 723,000.
To help raise public awareness about the numerous career opportunities in the industry, NAHB participates in Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month® each February. The CTE educational track encompasses a variety of fields such as residential construction, architecture and advanced manufacturing. Educational initiatives within CTE include classroom learning, certification programs and other work-based learning opportunities outside the classroom.
Home builders associations (HBAs) and members can participate in CTE Month in a variety of ways, including:
- Participate in Job Shadow Week during the first week of February. Members can host students for a day at their place of business so that students can see real-world examples of careers in action. If you can’t get away from the jobsite, consider virtually sharing a “day in the life” of your career with a classroom. National Job Shadow Day is Feb. 2.
- Host a Career Exploration Panel at your HBA's office. Highlight worthwhile job opportunities available in residential construction and rewarding lifestyles.
- Donate equipment to a local trades education program. HBAs may be in a prime position to donate equipment or supplies that meet industry standards, ensuring that students in secondary and post-secondary institutions have access to appropriate instruments for the respective career fields they hope to enter.
- Teach a middle school lesson plan. Engage students at the middle school level, creating excitement for technical career pathways. View sample lesson plans.
- Start an NAHB Student Chapter at a school in your community to enrich students’ educational experience and exposure to the home building industry through national programming and connection your HBA. NAHB offers step-by-step guidance and best practices to help you get started.
Visit the workforce development resource section for various downloadable careers in construction promotional materials and videos. NAHB members are invited to share NAHB materials or career stories on social media using the hashtags #CTEmonth, #STEM, #WorkforceDevelopment, and #CareerTechEd.
NAHB members attending the 2024 International Builders’ Show® are encouraged to visit Central Hall Booth C19 to share your workforce development strategies and successes with the NAHB Workforce Development, National Housing Endowment, and HBI teams.
Latest from NAHBNow
Sep 26, 2025
Trump Announces New Tariffs on Furniture and Kitchen CabinetsIn a move that could raise construction costs, President Trump on Sept. 25 announced he would impose a 50% tariff on imported kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, along with a 30% tariff on upholstered furniture, effective on Oct. 1.
Sep 26, 2025
Iowa HBA Showcases Student-Built Projects to Support Trades EducationFor three years, the Quad Cities Builders & Remodelers Association's (QCBRA) Trades for Tomorrow initiative has supported student-built projects to raise awareness of the importance of trades education.
Latest Economic News
Sep 26, 2025
2025 Second Quarter State-Level GDP DataReal gross domestic product (GDP) increased in 48 states in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).
Sep 26, 2025
State/Local Property Tax Revenue Share Falls for Third Straight QuarterIn the second quarter of 2025, property tax revenue for state and local governments recorded a new high, although it decreased as a share of total tax revenue.
Sep 25, 2025
Mortgage Rates Continue Downward Trend in SeptemberAverage mortgage rates in September trended lower as the bond market priced in expectations of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.35%, 24 basis points (bps) lower than August.