$700K Pledged in Support of Youth Trades Training Program

A lot of important announcements dropped at the 2020 International Builders' Show, but certainly one of the biggest came from the Home Builders Institute. HBI announced that The Home Depot Foundation will commit up to $500K to fund student training in residential construction careers at high schools nationwide. During the same news conference, Ed Brady, HBI president and CEO, announced that the National Housing Endowment—the philanthropic arm of the National Association of Home Builders—pledged $200K to support the work HBI has done, and continues to do, to stimulate career technical training for the building industry. 

According to HBI, industry data shows there are more than 300,000 open jobs related to the residential construction industry, such as carpentry, electricity, and plumbing. "The home building industry faces a skilled trades gap," says Brady. "As a result, opportunities for well-paid, rewarding careers in residential construction are tremendous."

The $500K from The Home Depot Foundation comes as part of a $50 million partnership with HBI, launched in 2018 to train 20,000 tradespeople over the span of a decade. The funds from both will be used by HBI and The Home Depot Foundation to provide hands-on courses for high-school students across the U.S., including instructor training and materials, at no additional cost to the students or their families. Once they complete the curriculum, students earn a pre-apprenticeship certification endorsed by NAHB and recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor. 

Head to the National Housing Endowment website to learn more or apply for a grant.