Aspiring Home Building Professionals Compete in SkillsUSA Competition
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.
Latest from NAHBNow
Membership
Oct 29, 2026
NAHB Names Alison Benson as its New Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
NAHB has promoted Alison Benson, CPA, to chief financial officer and treasurer. Benson brings more than two decades of accounting, financial planning and nonprofit financial management experience to the role. She joined NAHB in February 2026 as vice president, controller, and also served as interim treasurer.
Education
Oct 28, 2026
How Project Managers Can Effectively Set Expectations to Find Success
Hone your management skills in an upcoming Nov. 12 live online course titled “Project Controls Fundamentals: Monitoring Scope, Cost and Time” from 1-4 p.m. ET.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Oct 29, 2026
PCE Inflation Accelerated in September
The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge accelerated in September after holding at 3.0% for three consecutive months, complicating the Fed’s path to its 2% target. Consumer spending continued to be pushed up by elevated energy prices rather than income growth, driving the personal saving rate to the lowest level in nearly four years.
Economics
Oct 29, 2026
U.S. Economy Accelerated in the Third Quarter of 2026
The U.S. economy grew at a faster pace in the third quarter of 2026, supported by stronger consumer spending, robust business investment, and increased government spending. However, residential investment remained a weak spot, highlighting the continued challenges facing the housing sector amid elevated borrowing costs.
Economics
Oct 28, 2026
Homeownership Rate Rises to 65.5%
The latest homeownership rate reached 65.5% in the third quarter of 2026, according to the Census’s Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS). While this was a modest quarterly decrease, the broader picture continues to reflect significant affordability challenges.