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Week of November 24, 2003

Front Page

Housing and Economics

* Builder Confidence Down Slightly This Month

Housing Politics

* New Law Will Expedite Thinning of National Forests Prone to Wildfires
* Senate Set to Act on Highlands Conservation Legislation for Northeast States
* Canadians Urged to Stay the Course in Dispute Against Lumber Tariffs

State and Local

* Awards Recognize Advocates of Construction Defect Reform Laws

Business Management

* Don’t Fix New Software If It Isn’t Broken

Research

* Seniors’ Housing Center Provides Support for Family Caregivers

Small Builders and Remodelers

* Kitchen Design Begins With Quick Sketching
* Clients Need a Perfect Partner In the Selections Process

Sales and Marketing

* Home Builders Renew Interest in Online Marketing

Seniors Housing

* Put A Little Culture in Your Kitchen Designs

Member Dividends

* NAHB Provides Ammunition Against No-Growth Proposal

Labor

* Construction Program Keeps Students in School

Building Systems

* Building Systems Councils Breaks Its Own Record in BUILD-PAC Fundraising

Building Products

* On-Line Courses Address Water Penetration

International Housing

* NAHB Launches Access Mexico at IBS to Build Business Partnerships

Housing Forum

* Styrofoam Houses?

Building News Coast To Coast

Association News & Events

* NAHB Director Jim Woodyard Dies in Plane Crash
* Detroit Builder Manny Dembs Dies at Age 80
* Members and EOs Can Find the Right NAHB Staff Faster Than Ever
* Consumers in California Warned About Fly-By-Night Contractors
* NAHB Production Group Honored for HGTV Program
* Calendar of Events

NBN Back Issues

 

Construction Program Keeps Students in School

Rep. Loretta Sánchez (D-CA) recently returned to her alma mater, Katella High School in Anaheim, to learn how the school is using The Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) — an initiative of the Building Industry Association/Orange County (BIA/OC) spearheaded by its president, Jon Robertson — to increase student retention rates.

Former student Jason Davis, a current employee of Nicolas Lane Contractors in California, told Sánchez that the technology academy program kept him from dropping out as graduation approached and he found himself with few options for the future.

When asked by Sánchez whether or not he liked school, one student replied, “I hate school. I’m here because of this program.”

Currently training 170 students, the four-year BITA program offers its students a comprehensive curriculum of applied academics — including the Home Builders Institute’s "Build a Home, Build a Career" program materials — and brings together schools, parents and the industry to stimulate student interest in education and residential construction.


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When they graduate, BITA students have a multitude of choices, including entering apprenticeship programs or continuing with their construction education.

Agreements with Orange Coast College, Long Beach Community College and Fullerton College enable graduates to move seamlessly into post-secondary education.

“We are opening doors to opportunities for these students,” said Lawrence Jones, who is membership and executive issues director of BIA/OC,

BITA was created by the BIA/OC with the Southern California Building Industry Educational Foundation (BIEF), which was established by the BIA of Southern California to address the education and training needs of the residential construction industry.

BITA partners include the Orange County Department of Education, Anaheim Union High School District and Katella High School.


Make Your Connection With www.nahb.org

Make your connection to the latest housing industry news and information with www.nahb.org — the official public and members-only Web site of NAHB.

Log in today to register for educational seminars, meetings and networking events; find important economic and housing data; and learn the latest developments in NAHB’s efforts to promote housing. It’s all available to you 24 hours a day at www.nahb.org. Just click the "Member Log In" button to get started.

If you are a member and need information about NAHB products and services, use the NAHB Staff Contact Directory to look up the direct telephone extensions for NAHB staff experts.


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