NAHB Careers in Construction Month Inspires Students to Pursue Skilled Trades

Members of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) spent the month of October promoting careers in the construction industry through a number of activities and initiatives to celebrate Careers in Construction Month. The Home Builders Association of Western Michigan partnered with MiCareerQuest Southwest to engage eighth graders in hands-on building challenges, and in Washington state, a remodeler from the Building Industry Association of Clark County conducted interactive classes to teach students about trade opportunities. 

Meanwhile, the construction trades program at Fort Wayne Community Schools Career Academy in Indiana celebrated the completion of an 11,000 square-foot addition to its existing facility, showcasing hands-on learning opportunities for students in sheet metal/HVAC, NAHB reports.

For the event, the HBA provides a small roofing structure for students to practice their skills. Christina Reed, Director of Member Services for HBAWM, says that for many students, this is the first time they have ever hammered a nail. The HBA also provided a photo booth for students to wear construction gear.

“The idea is to make students aware of the type of careers offered in our area, so we can help connect the dots by showing them a pathway to that career through the courses offered when they get to high school,” said Reed. “Since the event, we’ve seen an uptake in trades students, including more females. Each class is capped with a waiting list.”

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