Home Depot, HBI partner for trades training

The Home Depot Foundation’s nonprofit partner, The Home Builders Institute (HBI), has announced the official opening of its new Orlando-based facility for training people for jobs in construction.

The BuildStrong Academy will train and place thousands of area students who want to pursue careers in the skilled trades for the building industry, the companies noted.

“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.

The effort comes at a critical time, the firm pointed out.

Every month this year, it went on, the construction industry has been short approximately 300,000 to 400,000 skilled workers, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. Yet only a small percentage of young adults are pursuing careers in construction, Brady indicated.

“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.”

The center is expected to serve approximately 500 new trainees by year-end 2022, and the curriculum guides participants through a step-by-step process to hone their trade skills.

“Students at the BuildStrong Academy will be exposed to the full spectrum of their opportunities in the construction trades,” added Brady.

Funded by The Home Depot Foundation and other partners, the firm related, the program will be free to trainees.