Skilled Labor Fund contributes money to address labor shortage
The Skilled Labor Fund, through the National Housing Endowment, the philanthropic arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), provided over $57,000 to address the shortage of skilled labor entering the residential construction market. The funding was delivered to the Home Builders Institute's Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program (PACT).
"This funding went to work immediately to launch skilled trades training in 15 high schools," said Ted Mahoney, a member of the Fund's Operating Committee and chairman-elect of the Endowment.
Over 80 percent of builders and remodelers report labor shortages across all 15 occupations that make up the skilled trades.
"The pain is shared by consumers and builders alike in the form of less supply, higher prices and longer lead times to complete new homes and remodeling projects," said Endowment President and CEO Mark Pursell.
Milford High School in Milford, Mass., was the first school to receive funding from this grant, supporting their carpentry program for grades 10 through 12. The grant will also fund PACT curriculum in 14 high schools in Rhode Island through a matching grant program with the state. This career and technical education curriculum grant will benefit more than 200 students.
The Skilled Labor Fund is a partnership of NAHB, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, the National Kitchen & Bath Association, SGC Horizon and Hydrogen, a full-service advertising agency. The Fund focuses solely on skilled labor for the residential market.
"We all have much work to do to address the labor issues in residential construction," said Pursell. "The industry, educational institutions and associations need to work together to show American youth the promising careers in the housing market and to provide them with the skills to succeed."
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