Workforce Funding Available for Builders Associations
Under a $4.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to the Home Builders Institute (HBI), the workforce development arm of NAHB, home builders associations have the opportunity to work with community colleges, secondary school systems, employers and the workforce investment system to improve recruitment in the residential construction trades. Part of President Bush’s High Growth Job Training Initiative, the program was created to provide trades training through secondary and community college systems in 10 states. Funded under a demonstration grant from the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, one of the key goals of the project is the recruitment of 2,500 individuals into the trades over the next three years. The first four associations that will receive funding for the program were announced last month: the Northeast Florida Builders Association in Jacksonville, Fla.; the Tidewater Builders Association in Tidewater, Va.; the York County Builders Association in York County, S.C.; and the Building Contractors Association of the Wood River Valley in Blaine County, Idaho. HBI is now seeking proposals from home builders associations located outside these four states that are interested in leading training efforts at sites in their areas. Responses to the institute’s Request for Proposals (RFP) must be received by Friday, Aug. 26. The six associations that are selected will be notified and visited by HBI staff. Plans are to have all of these new sites operating by Dec. 1. For more information or to request an RFP, e-mail John Shortt at HBI, or call him at 800-795-7955 x8924. | 
