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Build Your Future in Construction

New Free Training Available in Charlotte!

Calling all young adults in Charlotte looking for a fulfilling career! Have you ever considered a job in construction? If you’re looking for good money, steady work, and the chance to build something with your own hands, then this is the perfect time to get started!

In a world where construction projects are booming but skilled workers are scarce, the Home Builders Institute (HBI) has stepped up to bridge the gap. With the grand opening of the BuildStrong Academy in Charlotte on May 30, a new chapter unfolds in the journey to meet the growing demands of the construction industry. View the photo album.

Here’s the deal: the Home Builders Institute (HBI) just opened a brand new training facility called the BuildStrong Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina. This FREE program will give you the skills and certifications you need to land a job in the construction industry, which is BOOMING right now.

Why the big demand for construction workers in Charlotte? Lots of experienced workers are retiring, and there just aren’t enough young people coming in to fill their spots. That means tons of opportunities for YOU! 

Here’s what the BuildStrong Academy offers:

  • Free Training: That’s right, you won’t pay a dime for this 9-week program.
  • Fast Track to a Career: Learn the essentials of carpentry and electrical work and get industry-recognized certificates in just two months!
  • Job Ready Skills: You’ll graduate with an OSHA 10 safety certification and the knowledge to hit the ground running at your new construction job.

The BuildStrong Academy of Charlotte’s structure is designed for efficiency and effectiveness. Over a span of nine weeks, participants delve into both foundational and trade-specific training, covering everything from basic construction knowledge to specialized carpentry and electrical skills. With an emphasis on safety, each graduate leaves with an OSHA-10 safety certification, ensuring they are not only skilled but also equipped to work responsibly.

This program is perfect for you if:

  • You’re looking for a hands-on career where you can see the results of your work.
  • You enjoy working with tools and building things.
  • You want a stable job with good pay and benefits.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! The BuildStrong Academy is a great way to get started in a rewarding career path. Visit HBI website to learn more and apply today!

Here’s what some of the people behind the BuildStrong Charlotte Academy are saying:

  • “This program is designed to be accessible to young adults who want an alternative to traditional education and a chance to earn a good living,” says Peter Fioretti, from the Fioretti Family Charitable Fund, a major supporter of the program.
  • “The Home Depot Foundation is proud to partner with HBI to make careers in the trades a reality for more people,” said Erin Izen, from The Home Depot Foundation. There are over 400,000 construction jobs open right now, and this program will help fill those gaps!

The BuildStrong Academy isn’t only about finding people to fill jobs; it’s about creating brighter futures. By giving people the skills and knowledge they need, HBI is setting the stage for a stronger and more successful construction industry. Now, young adults in Charlotte have a great starting point for their careers, all thanks to this amazing program.

6 BuildStrong Academies

With the May launch of the BuildStrong Academy in Charlotte, HBI now offers 6 BuildStrong Academies across the country:

  1. BuildStrong Academy Orlando
  2. BuildStrong Academy Greater New Orleans
  3. BuildStrong Academy Houston
  4. BuildStrong Academy Greater Sacramento
  5. BuildStrong Academy Phoenix 
  6. BuildStrong Academy Charlotte 

Building a future for yourself and your community starts here. Apply for the BuildStrong Academy today!

Are You Ready to Build A Career In Construction?

Are you interested in a career in construction and building? HBI Academies offers free training, industry-recognized certifications and job placement assistance to kickstart your journey in this in-demand field. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to build a future with us! Contact HBI today to learn more and take the first step towards a rewarding career in construction. Let’s build together!

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Home Builders Institute (HBI) is an exempt organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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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. 

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