Home Builders Groups Teach Teens Construction Skills Through Hands-On Projects
The Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders (Ala.) has collaborated with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama to construct an arts and crafts shed. This project, funded by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), aims to introduce young people to careers in the construction industry.
NAHB's Career Connection program, a partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs, offers resources such as ready-made lesson plans and a toolkit to help local associations engage students. In Alabama, the GBAHB went a step further by involving the boys in building a shed from scratch. The boys were involved in almost every stage of construction, gaining practical skills in residential construction.
Meanwhile, in Missouri, the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield (HBA) organized a three-day picnic table building project for teens from local Boys & Girls Clubs. The HBA used NAHB's Picnic Table Build Guide to ensure a successful and educational experience for the participants.
These initiatives align with NAHB's Careers in Construction Month, celebrated each October. NAHB's funding for such partnerships is available through the National Housing Endowment. By providing hands-on experiences and resources, NAHB and its local associations are helping to inspire the next generation of construction professionals.
