Build a Better Future: Free Construction Career Training at HBI BuildStrong Academies 

left and right image of students at HBI academy and middle one is a hammer

We change lives by education, inspiring and preparing individuals for careers in the building industry.

Are you ready to start a career that’s hands-on, high-paying, and in demand? HBI’s BuildStrong Academies give you the tools, training, and support you need to jump-start your future in the residential construction industry — completely free of charge.

Why Choose a Career in Construction?

The United States is facing a critical shortage of skilled tradespeople, especially in the homebuilding industry. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 700,000 construction jobs need to be filled nationwide. That means real opportunities for motivated individuals who are ready to work hard and learn valuable skills.

Whether you’re just out of high school, switching careers, or looking for a fresh start, construction offers a path to a stable, rewarding, and well-paying career — and HBI is here to help you get there.

What Is HBI’s BuildStrong Academy?

The HBI BuildStrong Academy is a flexible, 9-week pre-apprenticeship training program offered by HBI (Home Builders Institute), the nation’s leading nonprofit in construction education. Our mission is simple: We change lives by educating, inspiring, and preparing individuals for careers in the building industry.

At BuildStrong Academies, you’ll learn essential skills for trades like carpentry and electrical work, gain industry-recognized credentials, and receive support from experienced instructors and career coaches. And the best part? It’s completely free.

HBI Academies 9 week training program offers flexibility to pause, start or restart your training at key milestones

  • During week 1, we review the foundations of the industry tools, safety and basic building concepts 
  • Next is a 2-week core training where students  learn the fundamentals to building from walls to reading blueprints 
  • Students in the electrical trade have 6 weeks of training focused on wiring circuitry, troubleshooting and safety 

Since launching our first BuildStrong Academy in Orlando on June 14, 2021, HBI has helped thousands of students launch successful careers in construction. Through 2024, we’ve issued thousands of pre-apprenticeship certificates and connected graduates with meaningful jobs that support the industry and help solve the skilled labor shortage. This impact is made possible thanks to the generous support of our partners and donors, who help us provide tuition-free training and vital resources to every student.

Orlando • Greater New Orleans • Houston • Greater Sacramento
Charlotte • Phoenix • Puerto Rico 

What You’ll Learn

HBI’s flexible training model is designed for real-world success. You’ll learn:

🔨 Residential Construction Basics: Safety, tools, and job site readiness
📐 Hands-On Trade Skills: Build walls, read blueprints, wire circuits, and troubleshoot systems
💼 Job Readiness: Resume writing, interview prep, and how to keep your job once you land it
🧑‍🏭 Real Work Experience: 75% of your time is spent in the shop doing hands-on work
🎓 Industry Credentials: Pre-apprenticeship certificates recognized by employers nationwide

Classes run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You’ll complete your training in just 9 weeks — and be ready to start a real job immediately.

Why HBI?

  • 50+ years of training America’s construction workforce
  • Thousands of students served through BuildStrong Academies since 2021
  • Flexible programs — start, pause, or restart training to fit your life
  • No cost to enroll — your future is tuition-free
  • Real connections to employers through job fairs and hiring events

“Name a place where you can get high-quality education and don’t have to pay a dime for it… I’ll wait. You can’t.”

So stop waiting — start building.


Your Future Starts Now

If you’re looking for a career with purpose, stability, and real earning potential, construction could be the perfect fit. At HBI’s BuildStrong Academies, we’re not just building careers — we’re changing lives.

No experience needed
No cost to attend
No better time than now

👉 Visit hbi.org to find the BuildStrong Academy near you and enroll today.


Follow HBI on YouTube to hear real student stories and see what training is like: Watch now

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Contacts Us

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MARIO GONZALEZ
Vice President of Workforce Training & Employment
Mario joined HBI as a Regional Career Development Coordinator of HBI’s Military Services in 2019 and was promoted to Associate Vice President of WTE Community & Corrections Programs in 2022.
 
Now serving as Vice president of WTE (2024), he oversees the daily operations of HBI’s WTE Community & Corrections, Military Services, & Academies programs, working with partners to advance HBI’s expansion and enhance job placement opportunities for graduates. Mario serves as the liaison between HBI and external stakeholders to include military installations. He ensures successful outcomes for HBI graduates from transitioning service members & veterans to justice involved adults & youths. Internally, he provides strategic operational perspective to HBI’s senior leadership team.
 
Prior to joining HBI, Mario served for 21 years in the U.S. Army across multiple locations globally & nationally and has an MBA from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN.
 
Mario resides in Tennessee with his wife and children and spends time in Texas where his mother, adult children, and grandchildren reside. He enjoys the outdoors and serving in his community. 
JOSEPH F. LANDERS
Executive Officer of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts

Joseph F. Landers, 71, is the Executive Officer of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts having assumed that role in 2018 with a mandate from the Board of Directors to harmonize the five MA local associations, increase communications from the state to the membership, increase the public profile of the association, create a path to financial stability and elevate the states lobbying efforts. Prior to taking on the challenging state association role, Joe was Chief Executive Officer and founder of Customized Structures Inc., a custom manufacturer of single-family, multi-family and commercial modular and panelized structures which began operations in 1984. Joe has been involved in the building industry, both site-built and factory-built, since 1973 and has worked in all phases of construction from development through design and production including on site management and sales. Customized Structures produced on average 330 single family homes per year, had an employee base as high as 180 and was known as the innovator in the production and design of modular components.

 

After the sale of Customized Structures Inc. to a private equity firm in 2003 Joe remained on the Board of Directors of the Company and functioned as a consultant to the CEO. He further took on the role of helping failing building systems companies return to profitability and successfully oversaw the sale of those companies. Mr. Landers has lectured frequently on the benefits and utilization of systems-built construction to building professionals around the country and has utilized his substantial professional and industry background to provide consultation services to both national and foreign companies interested in the processes and pitfalls of building and developing utilizing building systems components.

Joe attended Northeastern University and St. Anselm’s College graduating with a B.S. in 1972. 

Joe has been a member of the National Association of Home Builders since 1974. He is past president of two local Home Builders Associations and has served two terms as President of the  State of NH Home Builders Association. Joe is also a past president of the Modular Building  Systems Council of the NAHB, has been Chairman of the National Building Systems Council (BSC)  and has served five terms as a Trustee of the BSC during which time he created the BSC logo and  wrote the brochure “Most Frequently Asked Questions about Modular Homes”. 

In 1989, Joe received the National Pacesetter Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership  and contribution to the housing industry and in 1991 was awarded the title of Builder of the Year  by the Home Builders Association of N.H. In 1992 he was appointed by the Governor to the NH  Board of Fire Control within the Department of Safety and since then was reappointed three times.  He has served as a member on the State of New Hampshire Building Code Review Board and was  appointed by the Governor of NH to the Shore Land Protection Commission. Joe was selected to  receive the 2000 S. A. Walters Chairman’s Award, the premier award in the U.S. Systems Built  Housing Industry and was installed to the New Hampshire Housing Hall of Fame for his significant  and lasting contributions to the housing industry in the State of New Hampshire.  

Joe is a Senior Life Director of the National Association of Home Builders; he is served six terms on the NAHB Budget & Finance Committee serving as Vice Chair for four of those years, he has served  as Chairman of the Resolutions Committee, the International Housing Committee and the Building  Products Issues Committee of NAHB serving on the NAHB Executive Committee multiple times. 

In 2001 Joe was elected an Area Vice President of the National Association of Home Builders  representing builders through out the northeast. 

Joe is active in his community having served as finance chairmen of his church, is a member of the  International Order of Odd Fellows, and has served on multiple boards and committees on a  volunteer basis.  

Joe and his wife, Denise, reside in Plymouth, MA, they have two children, Jessica and Brad and two  grandchildren, Lily and Jack ages 13 and 11.

Seth Appleton
President of U.S. Mortgage Insurers

The Honorable Seth Appleton is President of U.S. Mortgage Insurers. In this role, he leads USMI’s efforts to enable sustainable access to affordable mortgage credit for borrowers while protecting taxpayers. Seth previously served as President of MISMO, the real estate finance industry’s standards organization. Prior to that, Seth served as the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD),
a position for which he was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. In addition to his service as Assistant Secretary, Seth concurrently served as the Principal Executive Vice President of Ginnie Mae, a government corporation guaranteeing the timely payment of
principal and interest on more than $2 trillion in mortgage-backed securities.


Before joining HUD, Seth worked on Capitol Hill, including serving as Chief of Staff for U.S. Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer for more than eight years. A native of Missouri, Seth is a graduate of Stanford University and is a co-chair of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Housing Council.

Zach Harris Story Card - HBI Build Strong Academy New Orleans Graduate