Washington Home Builders Foundation to launch new Construction Trades Training Academy
September 16, 2024
The Washington Home Builders Foundation (WHBF) plans to launch its new Construction Trades Training Academy in January 2025. The academy will provide participants with necessary skills and place them directly into jobs where employers need them most.
Designed by the Building Industry Association of Washington in partnership with the Home Builders Institute (HBI), the WHBF Construction Trades Training Academy will tackle the skilled labor shortage in the construction industry with a comprehensive training-to-placement model.
Strong partnerships for a solid foundation
To develop and fund the program, the WHBF worked closely with the Master Builders Association of Pierce County Building Opportunities for Learning the Trades (BOLT) foundation, Goodwill of the Olympic and Rainier Region and the City of Tacoma.
The WHBF and Goodwill of the Olympic and Rainier Region will operate the academy and place graduates directly into great jobs.
Hands-on learning, classroom instruction and real-world experience
The Construction Trades Training Academy leverages the HBI’s Pre-Apprenticeship Certified Training (PACT) curriculum, integrating hands-on learning, classroom instruction and real-world experience under one roof.
The academy emphasizes job placement, mentorship, and ongoing support for students and industry partners, ensuring that graduates receive the necessary training to be fully prepared to succeed in the field.
Participants will learn:
- Construction Basics (math, safety, materials, and tools)
- Carpentry Fundamentals
- OSHA Standards
- Employability Skills and Jobsite Readiness
Located in downtown Tacoma, this first site provides post-secondary students and transitioning adults from across the greater Puget Sound access to industry-driven training at no cost to them and in a condensed period of eight weeks. Enrollment for our first cohorts is now open!
Support the Construction Trades Training Academy
Support the academy by promoting our training programs to eligible participants or by joining our Employer Network! Members can engage with students through guest presentations, mock interviews, mini job fairs and direct hiring events.
Everyone’s encouraged to visit the Construction Trades Training Academy website to:
- Find more information about the program
- Sign up for the Employer Network
- Join the waiting list for the first cohort in January 2025
Together, we can build a stronger workforce for the future of construction.