NAHB, HBI want support for Job Corps funding

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Home Builders Institute (HBI) are advocating for the continued funding of the Job Corps Program.

With 131 centers across all 50 states, Job Corps is the nation’s largest residential career training and education program for low-income young adults in the nation. Each year, the program prepares thousands of Americans for good-paying jobs that don’t require a college degree, the NAHB said.

But the NAHB reports that U.S. House of Representatives appropriations subcommittee has voted to eliminate funding for the Job Corps program at a time when the program is needed now, more than ever.

There is a severe labor shortage in the housing industry, and eliminating the Job Corps program will further exacerbate the housing labor shortage, raise construction costs and harm housing affordability. It will also deal a crushing blow to tens of thousands of students annually who are seeking to learn in-demand vocational trade skills so they can have successful careers in the home building industry and construction trades, the NAHB said.

HBI said it has been partnered with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Job Corps program for 49 years to provide individuals aged 16 – 24 years old with career technical education and training. 

Programs are available at 69 Job Corps locations across 40 states. HBI’s training programs with Job Corps – which include building construction technology (BCT), electrical, HVAC, landscaping, solar and plumbing – teach technical job skills as well as employability skills. Advanced training programs are also available for electrical, HVAC, solar and plumbing.

The NAHB and HBI want members of the industry to do their part to save the vital job training program and call lawmakers at 202-225-3121 to tell them to keep and fully fund the Job Corps program.