HBAs Step Up Summer Career Exploration Programs

This year, NAHB's Boys & Girls Club partnership has helped match local clubs and home builder associations to promote residential construction career pathways and connect young people to the industry. HBA and member leaders are taking advantage of the summer months to lead entertaining and educational workforce development programs for students.

Fun-Filled Activities in South Dakota

The Home Builders Care of Fargo-Moorhead Foundation, the charitable arm of the BIA of the Red River Valley (Fargo, N.D.), developed an enriching lineup of activities for their local Boys & Girls Club this summer. The HBA hosted a Bird Feeder Construction Day on July 11 for 3rd to 5th graders. Lowes provided materials for the project and more than 50 HBA volunteers participated in the event. The Foundation has a new home construction tour scheduled for middle and high school students in August.

Construction Introduction Projects in Iowa

The Ames (Iowa) Home Builders Association led a wood vase construction activity on June 17 at the local Boys & Girls Club. Members generously donated materials and their time, which resulted in a successful career exploration day. More than a dozen 3rd to 8th grade students participated. The association plans to host education sessions in the fall the students to introduce them to construction.

Meeting Industry Professionals in New Jersey

To kick off the summer, members of the Shore Builders Association of Central New Jersey (Lakewood, N.J.) invited a group of students from their local Boys & Girls Club to the Ocean County Construction Trades Career Expo held at a local vocational school on May 15. The students met with residential construction industry employers, including several of the association's member companies, to learn about the trades and job opportunities. View photos of the event.

To learn more about how to get connected to your local club and kick start workforce development activities in your community, contact Greg Zick.