|
Top HBI Job Corps Instructors Receive Awards
Longtime Home Builders Institute (HBI) facilities maintenance instructor Larry Tech received the 2008 “Instructor of the Year” award on July 2 during the annual Job Corps Instructor Conference.
Tech has been an HBI instructor for nearly 20 years and an employee of the Denison, Iowa Job Corps Center since 1980. He has earned several accolades while at HBI, including the 2003 Extra Mile Award, which is given to instructors who consistently achieve positive results in training and placing their students.
Tech has been a favorite among his students and is famous for his “Tech Talks” on a range of subjects, including workplace relationships, ethics and multicultural awareness.
For this year’s award, Tech received nomination letters from former students and a number of center staff, including director Kevin Fineran and Doug Dorhout, career and technical training manager. HBI's regional program manager and regional career development coordinator also sent letters in support of his nomination.
“Larry is an advocate for all of his students,” said Fineran. “They know he isn’t there just to teach, but also to inspire and encourage them to succeed in their chosen field. He truly cares for people and always finds time to help.”
Tech was awarded a crystal trophy and $5,000 check during this month’s ceremony. The financial award was initiated with last year’s “Instructor of the Year” presentation to HBI electrical instructor Michael Kissell.
Inaugural Rookie of the Year
This year’s Job Corps Instructor Conference focused on “basic training” as instructors who have been with HBI for five years or less brushed up on job fundamentals. As a result, a new award category was added to the roster — “Rookie of the Year.”
Butch Nadeau was the first recipient of the award, which is open to instructors who have been with HBI for 12 to 24 months.
In his short tenure as an HBI carpentry instructor, Nadeau has demonstrated his extensive experience as a private contractor and master carpenter, and he has made a strong impression on his students, coworkers and supervisors at the Grafton, Mass. Job Corps Center.
“Butch is an outstanding individual and a highly valued member of the Grafton faculty,” said Peter LaFleur, director of the Grafton Center. “His commitment, hard work and innovative approach have resolved many issues that existed at the center before his arrival, and his example has motivated other staff members to follow in his footsteps.”
For more information, e-mail Maria McIntire at HBI, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8912.
Home Builders Institute Offers New Program to Teach English to Spanish Speakers
Sed de Saber™-Construction Edition is an easy-to-use, take-home learning tool created by Home Builders Institute (HBI) to improve job site communication, construction quality and safety by teaching English to Spanish-speaking workers, who make up 25% of today’s construction industry workforce.
 Sponsored by Lowe’s Commercial Services, Sed de Saber™-Construction Edition was developed by a team of subject matter experts — including superintendents, craft skills experts, remodelers and builders — to ensure that its contents was relevant to today’s home building workforce. HBI also created a seventh book based entirely on the NAHB-OSHA Job Site Safety Handbook to address job site safety issues related to the language barrier.
 Sed de Saber™-Construction Edition uses proven LeapFrog technology to allow learners to listen, record and play back their pronunciation of more than 500 vocabulary words and 340 phrases. Participants who practice 30 minutes each day will complete the program in about five months. Learning at home, on their own time, also eliminates scheduling conflicts.
NAHB members can purchase the learning system, all seven books and a skills assessment to chart progress for $395 per kit. The non-member price is $495. Order today at www.seddesaberconstruction.com or at www.lowesforpros.com.
|
