WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — As the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) celebrates Careers in Construction Month in October, builders around the country are seeking skilled craftsmen to help them build the American Dream.
The overall trend for open construction jobs has been increasing since the end of the Great Recession. According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data and analysis by NAHB, there were 214,000 open construction sector jobs in July, which marks the second highest monthly count of open, unfilled jobs since May 2007.
“Residential construction offers a number of fulfilling career opportunities, from architects and engineers to carpenters, plumbers, electricians, painters and landscapers,” said NAHB Chairman Ed Brady, a home builder and developer from Bloomington, Ill. “Yet, our builders are telling us that access to skilled labor remains a top challenge.”
After many workers left the home building industry during the Great Recession to pursue employment in other sectors, not nearly enough of them have returned. This labor shortage can lead to delays in completing projects on time, which can increase the cost of building homes and make housing more expensive for consumers.
“As the housing industry continues to recover, we are focused on training more workers and leaders to fill these important roles,” said Brady.
NAHB’s educational partner, HBI, is a national leader for career training in the building industry. HBI offers educational programs in 41 states and the District of Columbia, reaching more than 13,000 students each year. These include more than 5,000 students in HBI’s pre-apprenticeship programs.
NAHB’s Student Chapters Program is another important component to preparing the next generation of building professionals. With 140 secondary, associate and four-year college chapters throughout the country, the program offers students first-hand exposure to the building industry through NAHB membership, educational programming and networking opportunities.
Educators, parents and students are encouraged to take a close look at the career opportunities available in residential construction and understand that a vocational education offers satisfying career paths and financial gains. Visit nahb.org or hbi.org to learn more.
CONTACTS
Elizabeth Thompson
202-266-8495
