The Home Builders Institute (HBI) announced the opening of its new Orlando, Florida–based facility for training people interested in the construction trades. Named the BuildStrong Academy of Orlando, the center aims to train and place area students who want to pursue careers in the building industry.
Funded by The Home Depot Foundation, along with other private, public, and nonprofit sector partners, the program will be free to trainees and will guide participants through a step-by-step process designed to take them from beginners, with little to no trade skills, to tradespeople who are sought after by employers. Instructors will use HBI’s industry-recognized curriculum, which is one of only three pre-apprenticeship programs recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor.
“As openings in construction jobs increase and people are rethinking their careers, the times demand that we take an inventive approach to creating the skilled workers so badly needed in the building industry,” said Ed Brady, HBI president and CEO, at the grand opening ceremony Sept. 23. “Students at the BuildStrong Academy of Orlando will be exposed to the full spectrum of their opportunities in the construction trades.”
Courtesy HBI
In advance of the opening, the center trained its first class of students who graduated earlier this month. In June, they began a two-week, orientation session called the “residential introductory series.” Once completed, they were able to progress to four weeks of skills training that resulted in an industry-recognized certification as a pre-apprentice. Students could then enter a six-week-long program to be trained in carpentry skills, if they so choose.
“We’re excited to launch this academy program in Orlando and bring career opportunities to the area, in partnership with HBI,” said Shannon Gerber, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation. “This program helps further our goal of supporting the next generation of tradespeople while diversifying the industry.”
NAHB chairman Chuck Fowke also attended and spoke at the event, adding “Orlando’s new BuildStrong Academy opens up the world of great jobs and careers in construction to anyone who wants to work hard and be part of an extraordinary industry.”
In addition to The Home Depot Foundation, the BuildStrong Academy of Orlando is funded by the Charles Koch Institute; West Fraser, a diversified wood products company based in Vancouver, Canada, and; CareerSource Central Florida, the state of Florida’s workforce development agency.
“Central Florida is experiencing an economic boom in development projects and with that comes new jobs and the need for skilled talent,” said Pam Nabors, CEO and president of CareerSource Central Florida. “The academy will be a springboard for ultimately thousands of young people who will be trained and placed in good jobs.”
Officials expect the training center to serve approximately 500 new trainees by year-end 2022.
