9 NHE Grants Boost Residential Construction Visibility

The National Housing Endowment (NHE), NAHB’s philanthropic arm, created its Homebuilding Education Leadership Program (HELP) to increase the number of qualified graduates entering the home building industry.

Since 2009, HELP has invested more than $6.2 million in grants to 60 colleges and universities. This year, a record nine recipients were awarded funds to increase the visibility of careers in residential construction.

1. Cal Poly University - San Luis Obispo will develop and enhance courses on safety culture in construction, integrated residential construction and trade entrepreneurship, and develop a women's leadership in residential construction seminar series.
2. California State University at Fresno State will focus on curriculum and career assistance, workforce development, and the creation of a residential certification program. It will also create a high school pathway for outreach.
3. Florida A&M University will add residential construction modules into existing courses, add residential construction software, apps and certifications, and enhance guest lectures, field visits and residential career exposure.
4. Georgia Southern University will create an NAHB Student Chapter on campus and a curriculum course dedicated to residential construction and development. It will also add materials and supplies for senior capstone projects that further engage and encourage student participation in residential construction.
5. Roger Williams University will grow its Student Chapter, strengthen industry partnerships, develop and sustain a residential construction track, and enhance workforce development through high school engagement.
6. University of Hawaii at Manoa will establish an NAHB Student Chapter, increase its number of graduates in residential construction, and develop an outreach initiative to introduce middle and high school students to construction careers.
7. University of Southern Mississippi will increase the number of graduating students entering the residential construction industry, develop residential construction courses into existing programs, and address emerging issues related to the home building industry.
8. Wayne State University will establish an NAHB Student Chapter, enhance industry partnerships and community engagement, and add new residential construction track development courses.
9. Wentworth Institute of Technology will develop a curriculum for the residential construction track and support their local NAHB Student Chapter, including their competition preparation.