HBI Trustees Visit Job Corps Campus - 3/15/2004 - Real Estate Education Training Schools Conferences

HBI Trustees Visit Job Corps Campus

“The Department of Labor has identified construction as an industry that offers excellent employment opportunities, and we are working to strengthen our partnership even more,” said Rayburn, who is the NAHB Senior Officer responsible for HBI oversight.

Trades training, job placement and employability skills are only part of what the nation’s largest residential program offers its students, who are at-risk, economically disadvantaged youths between the ages of 16 and 24. HBI programs provide hands-on training in seven trades — carpentry, facilities maintenance, electrical wiring, painting, plumbing, brick masonry and landscaping — on 66 Job Corps campuses in 39 states and the District of Columbia.

Through its Job Corps efforts, HBI is able to provide NAHB members and the housing industry with qualified, entry-level workers. Every year, this affiliation trains and places more than 2,000 youths, utilizing HBI’s national job placement network.

Touring the Long Beach Job Corps Center during their annual planning retreat, HBI trustees were able to meet with students to discuss their aspirations and participation in the program. The campus, which was built in 1998, offers HBI training in facilities maintenance and landscaping.

“Job Corps students, for the most part, have not found the answer through the traditional educational system,” said Jim Sattler, HBI board chair. “Listening to these young people can be an inspiration,” he added. “They are looking to HBI for training and support in helping them overcome countless obstacles so that one day they can join us in the home building industry.”

In addition to training on community service projects such as Habitat for Humanity, HBI Job Corps programs work closely with home builders associations. Most recently, the first NAHB Student Chapter for Job Corps students was established. NAHB members also serve on Job Corps centers’ Industry Advisory Councils and provide mentoring/internship and employment opportunities to students.

For information on HBI’s Job Corps programs, e-mail Maria McIntyre or call her at 800-795-7955 x8912.

Photos by Alden Kamikawa