NAHB Engages with Public Sector Leaders at Workforce Summit
Government agencies are seeking pathways to prepare the next generation for meaningful employment. On June 3, NAHB participated in the U.S. Department of Education’s “Unlocking Career Success Employer Summit” in Washington, D.C., to ensure residential construction jobs are part of the national workforce development conversation.
Unlocking Career Success is an interagency initiative with the U.S. Departments of Education, Labor and Commerce. The initiative’s goal is to invite public- and private-sector leaders, government agencies, and other community-based organizations to help students earn post-secondary degrees and industry credentials employers need and the economy demands.
Summit attendees were representatives from leading employers across key industries and other high-wage, high-demand fields, including advanced manufacturing, clean energy, infrastructure/construction, technology, entertainment and healthcare.
During the program, NAHB AVP of Workforce Development Greg Zick shared with summit leaders the real-world professional experiences that are available for students interested in the skilled trades.
“It was rewarding to participate in the summit on behalf of NAHB and share our strategic partnership efforts,” said Zick. “We must propel innovative workforce development programs forward to empower the next generation of residential construction industry professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a competitive 21st century economy.”
NAHB’s participation in the summit aligns with one of NAHB’s Strategic Plan goals, which is to elevate, attract and retain a larger residential construction workforce. This year, NAHB is not only raising its workforce development profile with public- and private-sector leaders. NAHB’s workforce development team has connected state and local associations (HBAs) with federal funding resources to support and implement career exploration programs.
This year, executive officers and member leaders have participated in several workshops hosted by NAHB and facilitated by McAllister & Quinn. The workshops, intended for associations with a 501(c)3 status, teach HBAs best practices for applying for federal grants related to job readiness. In addition, McAllister & Quinn provided a comprehensive list of upcoming federal grant opportunities for which HBAs are eligible to apply.
To learn more about NAHB’s strategic skilled trades outreach, visit the workforce development page on nahb.org.
Latest from NAHBNow
Oct 24, 2025
Is the Construction Industry Attracting Younger Workers?According to the 2023 American Community Survey (ACS), the median age of construction labor force is 42 years old — one year older than a typical worker in the national labor force. However, the construction industry has seen an increase in younger skilled labor since the peak of the skilled labor shortage in 2021.
Codes and Standards
Oct 23, 2025
NAHB Requests Member Feedback on ICC Review of International Residential CodeThe International Code Council (ICC) has announced it will begin a holistic review of the International Residential Code (IRC), the national model construction code for one- and two-family dwellings that ICC updates every three years.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Oct 24, 2025
Inflation Picks Up in SeptemberInflation increased in September to the fastest pace since the start of the year, showing tariff pressure on prices continues to materialize gradually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) latest report.
Economics
Oct 23, 2025
Existing Home Sales Increase in SeptemberExisting home sales rose to a seven-month high in September as mortgage rates eased and inventory improved, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Resale inventory matched to the highest level since May 2020, though it remained below pre-pandemic levels.
Economics
Oct 22, 2025
Where are Porches Most Common for Newly-Built Homes?Although the share of new homes with porches edged down in 2024, porches continue to rank as the most common outdoor feature on new homes, according to NAHB tabulation of the latest data from the Survey of Construction (SOC, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau with partial funding from HUD).