National Housing Endowment

08/09/2026

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2026/07/25/construction-high-demand-pay-raises/91026415007/

Construction is a lucrative career this year as a labor shortage allows workers to command higher salaries.

07/30/2026

(AL) The Huntsville Madison County Builders Association Professional Women in Building held a merit badge day for local Girl Scouts to earn their “The House That She Built” merit badge. This event brought Girl Scouts from elementary and middle school to our office for hands-on activities to learn about the many career opportunities in the construction industry. Members of the HMCBA PWB planned and ran the events, which highlighted members in many different aspects of the homebuilding industry, including builders, designers, bankers, home services, and trade contractors. The event also featured our local home building academy program, which provides no cost hands on training for individuals who seek to enter the construction industry.

Girl Power in North Alabama, Love It!

07/29/2026

(OK) Just in from the Oklahoma State Home Builders Association...

The Construct My Future camp, is a week long day camp for middle school students to experience different careers in the construction trades by participating in hands on activities. The camp grew to 118 kids this year and is just one of Construct My Future's programs. This one had 100 volunteers guide and talk to the students. Fantastic engagement with middle school students!

How cool is that?

07/25/2026

Alabama - The Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders were at the Oak Mountain High School and at Trussville High School with over 150 students at each career event. The students were for interested in learning about the residential trades and the association's trade school.

07/16/2026

Canada. Over eighty students learned about the kitchen and bath business including experience with a CNC machine cutting countertops. They interacted with designers, installers and contractors as they learned about the many roles and opportunities in the business. Way to go, Ottawa Chapter of the NKBA! The Endowment's Skilled Labor Fund is proud to support your efforts.

07/15/2026

(July, 2026) The PulteGroup/National Housing Endowment Residential Scholarship Fund awarded a total of $72,000 to twenty deserving students pursuing skilled trade careers at community colleges and technical schools across the country. Shout out to PulteGroup's Kevin Henry and Lacy Kennedy, and to Alvin Townley of SKILLED Nation for making this happen. The National Housing Endowment appreciates the partnership. Can't wait until 2027!

07/08/2026

(GA) Local builder and student mentor, Dave Erickson mentored students as they spent the afternoon visiting several of his jobsites. Students visited with the sub-contractors as they spoke to students about their jobs and gave the kids an opportunity to ask questions and see what they have learned in the classroom in real life. Students saw several job sites in various stages of construction.
Students will be able to see a slab getting ready to have to foundation poured, a house that was being framed and another house getting plumbing, heating and air and electrical and a security system. Students were engaged and genuinely interested in the processes. They asked great questions and you could see the light bulbs going off.

Columbus Home Builders Association

06/22/2026

(SD) Just in from the Black Hills Home Builders Association...

The Kidz Zone is one of the most popular family attractions at the Black Hills Home Show, designed to make the event fun and engaging for attendees of all ages. This dedicated area gives children the opportunity to learn, create, and explore while parents enjoy the show.

Featuring hands-on activities, interactive games, crafts, building-themed projects, and appearances from community partners, the Kidz Zone introduces kids to the world of construction, design, and skilled trades in a fun and age-appropriate way. Families can spend time together participating in activities while creating lasting memories during their visit.

The Kidz Zone helps reinforce the Home Show's commitment to community engagement and workforce development by inspiring the next generation of builders, designers, engineers, and trades professionals. It also creates a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere that encourages attendees to spend more time at the event and experience everything the Home Show has to offer.

06/02/2026

(MI) NKBA West Michigan Chapter participated in our first ever booth at MiCareerQuest. This annual event is held at Devos Place in downtown Grand Rapids and allows over 8,000 middle and high school students from across West Michigan to explore career opportunities in construction, health care, technology, manufacturing, and hospitality.

Our booth allowed students to get a taste of tile cutting and installation using the score & snap tool, go board, and spacers. The planning side of construction was also featured with various material samples available such as flooring, cabinetry, wallpaper, hardware, glass, and more for students to create moodboards. This highlighted the many facets which have to be carefully planned and specified for a residential construction project. Playing in the booth were videos and photos featuring the Kitchen and Bath International Show, a remodel project from start to finish, and cabinetry design software.

NKBA volunteers interacted with students to discuss their job, experience in the industry, the path they took to get there, and the many trades and professionals they collaborate with day-to-day during the course of a project. Personal connections were made with hundreds of students and exposure to thousands.

We're already looking forward to a bigger booth next year!