Aspiring Home Building Professionals Compete in SkillsUSA Competition

Workforce Development
Published
Contact: Greg Zick
[email protected]
AVP, Workforce Development
(202) 266-8493

Students at SkillsUSA Washington Competition. Credit: Sailor Rozema / BIA Washington
Students working to construct fixtures at the SkillsUSA Washington competition. Photo credit: Sailor Rozema / BIA Washington 
Students at SkillsUSA Washington Competition. Credit: Sailor Rozema / BIA Washington
Students measuring frames at the SkillsUSA Washington competition. Photo credit: Sailor Rozema / BIA Washington 
Students at SkillsUSA Washington Competition. Credit: Sailor Rozema / BIA Washington
Students using power tools at the SkillsUSA Washington competition. Photo credit: Sailor Rozema / BIA Washington 
Students at SkillsUSA Washington Competition. Credit: Sailor Rozema / BIA Washington
Pierce County Skills Center students won the gold medal in carpentry at the SkillsUSA Washington competition. Photo credit: Sailor Rozema / BIA Washington

The talents of a diverse group of aspiring home building professionals were on display last month as thousands of students from Washington state put their skills to the test in the statewide SkillsUSA competition.

The event, which boasted more than 90 different competitions ranging from industrial motor control to plumbing, showcased the students’ real-world skills in front of industry professional judges.

“It was a very successful event,” said Al Audette, education and workforce development director for the Building Industry Association of Washington. “Our members had a great time seeing what students are doing in shop classes around the state.”

NAHB’s strong partnership with SkillsUSA, the national education nonprofit, continues to drive a targeted effort on enhancing workforce development and addressing the nation’s skilled labor shortage.

“The students not only had exposure to what other schools around the state are doing,” said Audette, “they were also able to learn from our members who served as mentors.”

SkillsUSA will host 53 key state-level competitions — including events in Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands — throughout the spring. 

Winners from around the nation will ultimately compete during the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta June 24-28. 

NAHB encourages its members to get involved and help attract budding talent in residential construction to take part in SkillsUSA activities. Learn more about NAHB’s partnership with SkillsUSA at nahb.org.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Economics
Nov 05, 2026
Multifamily Developer Confidence Weakens in Third Quarter

Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing weakened year-over-year in the third quarter, according to the Multifamily Market Survey (MMS) released today by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The MMS produces two separate indices. The Multifamily Production Index (MPI) had a reading of 41, down five points year-over-year, while the Multifamily Occupancy Index (MOI) had a reading of 69, also down five points year-over-year.

Advocacy
Nov 04, 2026
Podcast: What the Blue Wave May Mean for Housing

On the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez are joined by Chief Advocacy Officer Ken Wingert to discuss the immediate aftermath of the midterm elections.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics
Nov 04, 2026
Mortgage Applications Decline as Higher Rates Boost ARM Share

Mortgage application activity declined in October as the 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose sharply again. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index, a measure of total mortgage application volume, fell 14.1% month-over-month in October on a seasonally adjusted basis. Compared to a year ago, total mortgage applications were 39.8% lower.

Economics
Nov 04, 2026
Laundry Room Locations in New Homes and Apartments, 2025

In 2025, the majority of homes started featured laundry connections on the first floor (70%), according to the Census’s Survey of Construction. Laundry located on the second floor or higher was the second most prevalent at 27%. The basement, garage, and other locations all had a 1% or lower share.

Economics
Nov 03, 2026
Mortgage Rates Climb in October Amid Accelerating Inflation

Mortgage rates rose sharply again in October as the U.S. treasury yields surged. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.33% in October, up 47 basis points (bps) from September. The rate reached 7.40% in early October, its highest level since 2023, before easing toward the end of the month.