IBS Student Competitions Showcase the Future of Residential Building

Every time I visit a job site or talk with a fellow NAHB member, I’m reminded of how much our industry depends on skilled, motivated workers. Despite competitive pay and national demand for new housing, the home building industry continues to face labor shortages that directly affect housing affordability.

Even with this challenge, I’m optimistic. There’s real momentum across the country to recruit and prepare the next generation of builders.

NAHB Student Competitions

One program sparking interest in our industry among many young people is the NAHB Student Competition at the International Builders’ Show (IBS). What makes the competition stand out is how closely it resembles the real-world residential construction process. Teams spend nearly six months researching, planning, and fine-tuning full-scale, soup-to-nuts (and bolts) construction project proposals for review by seasoned industry executives, many of whom are NAHB members.  

The competition offers five tracks: Production Home Build and Custom/Small Home Build for four-year college and graduate students, Construction Management for associate programs, and Construction Management and Architecture for secondary schools.

Over two packed days at IBS, these aspiring project managers, land developers, and designers answer tough questions and defend their proposals. They are scored by judges who know the realities of the business. It’s as close to on-the-job training as these students can get.

The level of preparation and presentation is always impressive and a reminder that the passion for home building is alive and well in the next generation. You can tell these students have a real understanding of what it takes to succeed in the industry and appreciate the opportunity to showcase their talent.

Over the years, we’ve seen teams from historically Black colleges and universities take top honors, as well as all-female teams earn recognition. It is always exciting to see who might become the next leaders and innovators in home building.

As we look ahead to the 35th anniversary of the Student Competition in 2026, there’s a lot to celebrate. We’ve seen student attendance at IBS increase since 2023 and had great participation last year with 76 teams competing, up from 63 the year before. In total, more than 700 students attended the Student Chapters Award Ceremony at IBS 2025 recognizing the top-placing teams. Looking ahead to IBS 2026, a record-high 92 teams are expected to compete this February.

Get Involved in Housing’s Future

There are many ways and reasons for NAHB members to get involved that benefit our country’s future home builders. Stepping away from your office or jobsite for a few hours to mentor a student team can make a lasting impact on them and the industry. And by sharing your knowledge and experience, you can help build the confidence of students who want to make a career of residential construction, as you did.

Start by connecting with your local schools or colleges to see if they have an NAHB Student Chapter. These chapters provide educational programming, leadership development, and networking opportunities that help students prepare for successful careers.

You can also get involved at IBS as a judge or to help run the competitions, as new volunteer are needed each year to bring a fresh perspective.

With our help, the Student Competition has evolved over the years and will continue to do so to best serve students and the industry.

If you’ll be in Orlando for IBS this February, I highly encourage you to check out the NAHB Student Competition in person. Watching these teams present their projects and answer tough questions is one of the clearest reminders of the talent entering our workforce. It’s truly inspiring to walk through the Student Competition area every year and watch housing’s future in action.

Visit the Student Competition page on nahb.org for additional details and to see last year’s winners. As we approach the Show, all presentation timeslots will be added to the NAHB/IBS mobile app, making it easy for attendees to add specific schools’ presentations directly to their IBS agendas.

• IBS Centrals offer great opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals during IBS. These lounge-like areas allow attendees to explore new ideas, refine their skills, and learn from experts in custom building, design, multifamily, remodeling, and sales in a relaxed setting. Open to attendees with an Expo+Education Pass.
• The New American Home 2026, the premier show home at IBS, will set a new bar for energy efficiency thanks to a smart integration of high-performance systems and a powerful rooftop solar array, resulting in a HERS Index of minus-40! Free guided tours are open to IBS attendees, though you must obtain a ticket at booth W4