September 5, 2011
Nation's Building News

The Official Online Newspaper of NAHB

FONT SIZE:  A  A  A
Workforce Development
Build Local Workforce Through Sensible, Affordable HBI Apprenticeship Program
photo
Apprentices in the Tidewater Builders Association's program learn facilities maintenance skills.

The Home Builders Institute (HBI) — the workforce development arm of NAHB — has the resources to help local home builders associations and their builder members implement craft skills apprenticeship programs that are sensible, affordable and meet the industry’s needs.  

While similar labor development programs tie apprenticeships to unions, the HBI apprenticeship program, which began more than 30 years ago, has no nationwide union ties because union membership is not prevalent in the industry.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics  (BLS), only about 13.7% of all construction workers are union members and union membership in residential construction is so small, the BLS does not track that statistic — though the figure is believed to be about 3%. 

Consequently, HBI’s apprenticeship programs are able to train local workforces according to the HBA’s and builders’ needs. Apprentices in the locally based programs learn on the job site and advance by acquiring new responsibilities. The program helps ensure a steady pipeline of qualified home building tradespeople in an HBA’s local area.

In addition, HBI’s programs are up to date with market needs. The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Apprenticeship recently recertified HBI’s residential construction apprenticeship guidelines for residential carpentry, electrician, HVAC and facilities maintenance.

The revised guidelines integrate the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-approved ICC 700 National Green Building Standard and solar and weatherization standards developed by HBI into apprenticeship instruction.

They also include “interim credentials,” an innovation that gives local apprenticeship program committees the authority to credit apprentices for prior work experience, which the DOL will certify. Interim credentials enable apprentices to complete their required hours to attain journeyperson status in less time.   

Home builders involved with HBI’s apprenticeship programs also comply with the Davis Bacon Act and are eligible for federal funds, which can help make the program more affordable.

With HBI assistance, two HBAs — the Tidewater Builders Association in Virginia and the North State Building Industry Association in California — recently developed apprenticeship programs in facilities maintenance. The HBAs saved time and money by completing HBI’s prepared documents and submitting them to the appropriate state agency and the DOL for approval.

To Begin an Apprenticeship Program

For more information about HBI’s apprenticeship guidelines and how to launch an apprenticeship, email Dennis Torbett at HBI, or call him at 800-795-7955 x8908.

Also in This Issue