High-Energy Competition Fosters New Trades Talent

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

groups of members from ohio

L to R: Adam Brickner, Stuart Cowan, Tony Crasi and Matthew Cowan

students learning about hba at booth
Ohio HBA's Vince Squillace and Mardy Patel talk to students about the association.
photo collage of carpentry students

Students in Ohio and Nebraska recently showed off their construction capabilities during the SkillsUSA state competitions. NAHB’s Senior Officers and members were on hand to support the event and serve as role models for students interested in joining the residential construction industry.

“I think the reason builders have such a great connection with SkillsUSA is we both have always had the same goal in mind, which is to continue the great legacy of providing safe, affordable housing for all families,” said J. Stuart Cowan II, a custom designer and builder, based in Ohio.

Cowan played a central role in shaping the SkillsUSA Ohio carpentry contest from start to finish. He provided the blueprints for the carpentry students to follow during the competition. In addition, he worked closely with the Ohio HBA to facilitate the donation of materials and prize money.

Six NAHB builder members in Ohio, NAHB’s Second Vice Chairman of the Board, Bill Owens and Greg Zick, NAHB's AVP of Workforce Development attended the SkillsUSA Ohio competition this month. Members monitored the students closely to ensure safety standards were met and served as competition judges.

Cowen says the active support of residential construction industry members and leaders is critical to the SkillsUSA competition's success.

"I think everyone teaches our kids, employees…I believe it would be a waste for if we didn't take that knowledge and pass it on," said Cowen. "I was very fortunate to have a father who taught me a lot about being a carpenter. I was also very fortunate when I joined the HBA of Greater Cincinnati to have friends and mentors who taught me so much about building a successful business."

NAHB Chairman Carl Harris traveled to Nebraska to join NAHB members in supporting the state competition.

SkillsUSA, a national education non-profit focused on workforce development, is one of several national partnerships NAHB has cultivated to help close the skilled labor gap and create a workforce that is essential to meet the strong demand for housing. 

Subscribe to NAHBNow

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

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Environmental Issues

May 30, 2025

NAHB Members Provide Final Recommendations for New WOTUS Rule

NAHB members concluded their participation in multiple “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) listening sessions with strong showings in Washington, D.C., and Salt Lake City. In total, 12 NAHB members and four staff members from NAHB and state home builder associations (HBAs), representing 11 states, provided oral statements at listening sessions.

Workforce Development

May 30, 2025

Statement from NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes on DOL Decision to Pause Job Corps Center Operations

NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes issued the following statement after the Department of Labor announced it was pausing Job Corps center operations nationwide.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

May 30, 2025

Multifamily Absorption Moves Lower for New Apartments

The percentage of new apartment units that were absorbed within three months after completion continued to trend lower, according to the Census Bureau’s latest release of the Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units (SOMA).

Economics

May 29, 2025

Treasury Yield Increase Drives Mortgage Rates Higher in May

Mortgage rates continued their upward trend in May due to market volatility triggered by fiscal concerns and weaker U.S. Treasury demand. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose to 6.82% — a 9-basis-point (bps) increase from April. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage increased by 5 bps to 5.95%.

Economics

May 28, 2025

Aging-in-Place Remodeling Work Fell While Familiarity and Receptiveness Remain High

Only 56% of professional remodelers undertake projects designed to allow homeowners to Age-in-Place (AIP), according to results from NAHB’s Q1 2025 Remodeling Market Index (RMI) survey.