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Home Builders Institute Expands Activities at IBS
The more than 100,000 members expected to attend the International Builders’ Show in Orlando next month will have an unrivaled opportunity to learn about the many resources and programs of the Home Builders Institute (HBI) and how they are answering the housing industry’s growing need for trained construction workers.
HBI, the workforce development arm of NAHB, has scheduled a busy lineup throughout the show, including launching new initiatives, showcasing its programs, recognizing student achievement and conducting educational courses.
HBI highlights include:
Sed de Saber™ Construction Edition to Debut
HBI will be rolling out the long-awaited Sed de Saber™ — Construction Edition, an English as a Second Language (ESL) learning tool to teach Hispanic construction workers English. The self-paced program is highly interactive, running on the patented LeapFrog learning platform. It takes the average worker about 16 weeks to complete and includes an assessment tool so supervisors can monitor progress.
Each Sed de Saber™ kit is reusable and can be shared among workers, family and friends. “This is a breakthrough ESL tool that offers our industry a tailor-made solution to language barriers typically found on residential construction job sites nationwide,” said HBI Chairman Michael Sivage.
Upon completion, workers will be able to speak and understand English at a third-grade level. In addition to teaching basic English and life skills, the content — developed by a team of experts in residential construction industry subject matter — includes job site scenarios, construction terminology and major principles from the NAHB-OSHA Job Site Safety Handbook.
The kit includes a Quantum Pad™, microphone learning system, seven books with data cartridges, headset, power adapter and carrying case. HBI is accepting pre-orders prior to the official launch of this exciting new industry tool at IBS.
Visit HBI at Members Advantage Headquarters in the West Hall B Lobby, Level II to be among the first to see Sed de Saber™ — Construction Edition.
NAHB Student Chapters Adds Luncheons to IBS Plate
Every year, hundreds of eager students participate in NAHB Student Chapters. Residential Construction Competitions and its Building Careers Job Fair. This year, 55 teams from across the country will compete as four-year universities, two-year colleges and secondary schools. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Friday, Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Convention Center’s Chapin Theater.
In addition to its traditional events at IBS, NAHB Student Chapters will host two luncheons sponsored by Pulte Homes — “Women in Construction” and “Diversity in Construction.” The roundtables will include industry, student and faculty representatives participating in open discussions on these topics.
Team Builders Students Honored
As the workforce of the home building industry becomes more diverse, builders have begun to place more emphasis on maintaining representative populations in their managerial ranks. This past summer, Team Builders, a joint effort of HBI, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation and Beazer Homes, placed 16 Hispanic college students in internships at Beazer’s offices.
Beazer is honoring the achievement of the interns at a reception on Thursday, Feb. 8 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in 330G at the Convention Center.
Job Corps Students Put Skills on Display
Throughout the week, HBI Job Corps students will occupy the Skills and Employment booth (W5389), demonstrating their trade skills and competing against any challengers in a nail driving contest. On Wednesday, Feb. 7, students will momentarily put their tools away to go head-to-head in the 2nd annual "Job Corps Jeopardy! Championships" starting at 2:00 p.m.
Additionally, two Job Corps graduates now working in the building industry will be honored for their outstanding accomplishments:
Sabrina Turner, a graduate of John Gaddis’ electrical class at the Golconda Job Corps Center (JCC) in Illinois will receive the Shirley McVay Wiseman Lach Award for Exceptional Promise, which is presented annually to an outstanding women graduate.
Another electrical student, Franqee Higgins from Phillip Orr’s class at the Guthrie JCC in Oklahoma, has been recognized as “HBI’s Job Corps Student of the Year” and will receive the NAHB President’s Award.
Lowe’s and Job Corps in the Spotlight
For a few precious moments on Friday, Feb. 9 at 3:00 p.m., the light will shine on HBI’s Job Corps students at the Lowe’s exhibit (Booth W1543). HBI and NAHB leadership will gather to recognize Job Corps’ contributions to the industry, and acknowledge the corporate giant’s financial support through the HBI/Lowe’s Building Careers Scholarship program. A surprise may be in the offing as Lowe’s renews its commitment to the program for a fourth year.
Superintendent Courses Make IBS Debut
In response to countless requests from attendees at last year’s IBS, HBI will be offering several Residential Construction Superintendent (RCS) Designation courses during the pre-educational sessions at the 2007 show.
The RCS Designation is geared toward promising field superintendents, administrative personnel, associate members, trade foremen, builder members and anyone else who wants to excel in this position. The designation's eight courses cover issues and subjects identified by NAHB members as being critical to a field supervisory job.
In total, five courses will be held in the days prior to this year’s IBS: three from the RCS series as well as one course each from the newly-created Advanced RCS (ARCS) and Concrete Specialization Series. For more information, call 800-795-7955 x8928.
For more information on any of these activities or for a complete roster of HBI events at IBS, e-mail Maria McIntyre at HBI, or call her at 800-795-7955 x8912.
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