New BuildStrong School Offers Free Carpentry, Electrical Training

Several companies have partnered to offer free electrical and carpentry training in North Carolina, where the worker shortage in construction is at a critical level. 

Key takeaways include:

• The Home Builders Institute (HBI) in partnership with the Fioretti Family Charitable Fund announced the grand opening of the BuildStrong Academy of Charlotte, N.C., a new training facility in the Charlotte region to help address the labor shortage in the residential construction industry.
• As the demand for construction projects continues to rise, the shortage of skilled workers has led to delays, increased costs, and hindered growth opportunities.
• In response to this pressing need, the establishment of this free training facility will provide accessible training opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing careers in the construction industry, equipping them with the necessary skills and certifications to meet the demand for skilled workers.
• The program allows participants to learn the skills needed for entry-level roles in nine weeks at no cost.
• The training results in an industry- recognized certificate in carpentry and electrical. The first four weeks of the training provide basic construction knowledge such as reading a tape measure, using hand and power tools, and safe work practices including an OSHA 10-hour certificate. The remaining five weeks are trade- specific training. Each student completes the program with an OSHA-10 safety certification and is ready to be placed into a job when they graduate.

Ed Brady, HBI president and CEO, shared that “Older workers are retiring and not being replaced because the U.S. has not produced an adequate supply of construction labor for several generations. HBI is committed to training the next generation of skilled workers and ensuring the supply of construction labor.”

Other contributors to the program include The Home Depot Foundation, Truist Foundation, and DEWALT.