HBA Commits $50K for a New Workforce Development Center

The HBA of Greater Kansas City’s (KCHBA) philanthropic arm, The Home Builders Charitable Foundation, recently donated $50,000 to help construct the Northland Career Center’s (NCC) new Workforce Development Center. The generous donation underscores the HBAs commitment to training the next generation of skilled trades professionals.

“This contribution is an investment in the future of the economy as well as in the students from all over the Kansas City region who are interested in careers in construction,” said Will Ruder, executive vice president of the KCHBA. “The KCHBA’s mission is ‘homeownership for all,’ and homes for people must be built by people. It’s an honor to invest in an effort that will give our young people opportunities to pursue rewarding careers while creating much-needed housing for communities across the region.”

The new state-of-the-art career center will be constructed on a 19-acre site and serve more than 950 high school students during the day (doubling NCC’s current capacity), and — through partnerships with a local community college and other post-secondary institutions — allow 300 adults to enroll in afternoon and evening courses for college credit and/or advanced certificates.

KCHBA estimates that there are currently 200 students on the waiting list for construction career training. Jacob Blankenship, NCC construction technology instructor, said the new building will mean shorter waiting lists for students entering programs.

“We will be able to add electrical and plumbing classes and labs, which means more students will get the training to fill in-demand jobs in the skilled trades,” Blankenship said.

KCHBA’s substantial investment in career training didn’t happen overnight, explained Jordynn Webster, the association’s director of membership and community relations. She credits the unwavering commitment of the KCHBA’s workforce development committee. Committee members donate a significant amount of time to mentoring students, leading career exploration opportunities, and fostering a productive relationship with the NCC’s instructors and leadership. 

“NCC graduates will add quality skilled trades workers to our communities and beyond,” said NCC Director Jeff Green. “We continue to be thankful for the support of KCHBA and look forward to many more years working together.”

February is Careers and Technical Education Month®. To learn more about how to celebrate CTE Month® in your community, visit nahb.org.