U.S. and State Legislators Hail the Success of Project CRAFT in Texas - 2/21/2005 - Real Estate Education Training Schools Conferences

U.S. and State Legislators Hail the Success of Project CRAFT in Texas

In a keynote address at recent graduation ceremonies for seven young men from the Home Builders Institute’s (HBI), Project CRAFT (Community Restitution Apprenticeship-Focused Training) program at the Dallas County Youth Village, Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) cited the benefits of the program and encouraged the students to build on their achievement.

“The success of Project CRAFT goes to show that when communities come together, everyone stands to benefit,” Sessions told the nearly 150 friends, family members, community leaders, classmates and staff attending the Jan. 31 event. “I applaud the efforts of those involved with Project CRAFT, especially the young people who are striving for success and those in the Dallas home building industry who recognize their potential.”

Working with the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas, a key partner in the local program, Texas Sen. Royce West and Rep. Helen Giddings submitted resolutions recognizing the work of Project CRAFT and commending the graduates.

Project CRAFT/Tampa also held commencement ceremonies this winter, graduating four students on Dec. 21. Three of the graduates started the new year with jobs in the construction industry; the fourth returned to school.

The event was attended by members of the Tampa Bay Builders Association, including Immediate Past President and HBI Trustee Bill Paul, who was named the association's Builder of the Year. On Friday, Jan. 18, Paul, who is president of Phoenix Construction and Development in Tampa, also attended the graduation event for 12 HBI students enrolled in Project CRAFT at the Avon Park Youth Academy in Avon Park.

Nashville Graduate Returns to Inspire Class

In other news on HBI’s Project CRAFT program, a 2004 graduate of Project Craft/Nashville returned last week to visit with his instructor, Emmett Atkins, and to speak to the class about the value of his HBI training.

Corey Hunter completed the program last March. With an interest in construction and trucks, he attended truck driving school and began working for CRST Transportation in July. Today, he earns more than $1,000 a week delivering building materials and supplies.

Hunter practices the hands-on skills he learned in Project CRAFT by helping friends and family in home remodeling projects and repairs. Once he completes a full year with CRST, he hopes to transfer to a local trucking company so he can return to school at Tennessee State University.

Project CRAFT introduces adjudicated adolescents to employment opportunities in the construction field. The program has garnered the respect of policymakers and workforce development professionals for its skills training, academic instruction and its 89% job placement rate.

Home Builders Institute, the workforce development arm of NAHB, has helped more than 250,000 people enter careers in the home building industry. In addition to providing skills training, it actively promotes careers in residential construction and helps meet the industry’s labor needs.