How HBI and Team Rubicon Partner to Create New Career Pathways
When disaster strikes, communities need more than emergency response – they need skilled professionals who can rebuild stronger, safer, and more resilient homes.
That is the vision behind the new partnership between Home Builders Institute (HBI) and Team Rubicon, two national nonprofit organizations committed to serving communities in meaningful ways. Together, they have launched an innovative workforce development initiative that provides free construction training while preparing participants for rewarding careers in the skilled trades.
The HBI and Team Rubicon partnership began with a pilot program at the BuildStrong Academy of Orlando, one of HBI’s flagship workforce training centers dedicated to preparing individuals for successful careers in the residential construction industry. This partnership demonstrates how workforce development, disaster resilience, and career opportunity can work together to address some of America’s most pressing challenges.
“Together, we will continue preparing individuals for rewarding careers while helping address the nation’s critical skilled labor shortage.” – HBI President and CEO Ed Brady
The Team Rubicon Trades Academy in New Orleans will equip students with hands-on training, industry-recognized credentials, and employment pathways in residential construction, while creating a framework that can expand to additional communities.
“We’re honored to build on the incredible foundation HBI has established in New Orleans and excited to welcome these students into the Team Rubicon Trades Academy. Together, we’re creating a model that empowers veterans, underserved populations, and aspiring tradespeople to strengthen both their own futures and the communities they serve.” – Jim Brooks, CEO Team Rubicon
Read the official announcement: Home Builders Institute and Team Rubicon Launch New Orleans Trades Academy Partnership
A Shared Mission: Building People While Rebuilding Communities
America continues to face two significant challenges:
- A nationwide shortage of skilled construction professionals
- Increasing demand for resilient rebuilding following natural disasters
HBI and Team Rubicon are uniquely positioned to help solve both.
HBI has spent almost 60 years preparing individuals for successful careers in residential construction through industry-recognized training, certifications, and workforce partnerships.
Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian organization, has become nationally recognized for disaster response, long-term recovery, and community resilience. With more than 200,000 volunteers and over 1,200 disaster operations completed, the organization understands firsthand the importance of skilled construction professionals during recovery efforts.
Together, these organizations are creating a pathway that not only changes individual lives but also strengthens communities across the country.
Tuition-Free Skilled Trades Training That Leads to Careers
The partnership expands skilled trades training and workforce development opportunities throughout the greater New Orleans region while helping meet the growing demand for qualified construction professionals. As part of this collaboration, HBI’s successful BuildStrong Academy of Greater New Orleans in Kenner will transition to the Team Rubicon Trades Academy, where Team Rubicon and HBI will work together to deliver HBI’s nationally recognized training, industry-recognized credentials, and career pathways that prepare graduates for long-term success in the residential construction industry.
- Nine weeks of hands-on construction training
- Resilient Carpentry and Roofing instruction
- OSHA-10 certification
- Career coaching
- Job placement assistance
- No cost to participants
Rather than simply teaching technical skills, the program prepares graduates for long-term employment in one of America’s fastest-growing workforce sectors.
Why This Partnership Matters
The construction industry continues to face a shortage of skilled workers, and disaster-impacted communities need trained professionals who can help rebuild safely and effectively. This partnership addresses both needs by preparing participants for in-demand construction careers while strengthening the local workforce available for long-term recovery and resilient rebuilding.
Each graduate adds needed capacity to the residential construction workforce and brings practical skills that can support rebuilding efforts, local employers, and long-term community resilience.
Participants gain skills that help them launch meaningful careers, earn industry-recognized credentials, support disaster recovery efforts, build stronger housing, and strengthen local economies and communities.
For many participants, construction becomes more than a job; it becomes a lifelong career with opportunities for advancement, entrepreneurship, and leadership while leaving a lasting impact on the communities where people live, work, and raise families.
In New Orleans, the HBI and Team Rubicon partnership creates a practical pilot model that can be adapted in other communities where workforce training, employer demand, and disaster recovery needs intersect. It benefits workers, employers, homeowners, and neighborhoods by connecting training directly to real construction and rebuilding needs.
HBI Continues Expanding Workforce Opportunities
The Team Rubicon collaboration reflects HBI’s broader mission of creating career pathways for people from every background.
Across the country, HBI provides workforce development through programs including:
- Job Corps centers
- BuildStrong Academies
- Military and veteran training
- Community & Corrections programs
- Secondary education partnerships
- Future Builders of America® program in over 450 schools around the country
- Pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship preparation
- Employer partnerships
Every HBI program shares the same goal: helping individuals gain the skills, certifications, and confidence needed for successful careers in residential construction.
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How HBI’s Training Model Strengthens the Team Rubicon Partnership
The Team Rubicon collaboration builds on HBI’s proven workforce development model, which has prepared more than 270,000 individuals for careers in residential construction since 1967.
Through HBI’s nationally recognized training model, participants gain the technical skills, credentials, and industry connections needed to begin successful careers in construction while helping meet the growing demand for skilled workers.
For participants, that model means training that extends beyond construction techniques. They receive structured instruction, recognized credentials, digital learning support, and employer connections that help translate classroom and hands-on experience into long-term career opportunities.
Together, HBI’s training infrastructure and Team Rubicon’s disaster response mission create a pathway for participants to build lasting careers while helping communities recover and rebuild stronger.
FAQs About the HBI Team Rubicon Partnership
What is the HBI and Team Rubicon partnership?
The partnership combines HBI’s nationally recognized skilled trades training with Team Rubicon’s expertise in disaster response and workforce development to prepare participants for careers in construction while strengthening community resilience.
Who can participate in the training program?
The New Orleans program is open to individuals interested in skilled trades careers, with special encouragement for Team Rubicon Greyshirt volunteers and veterans. Additional eligibility requirements may vary by location and future program expansion.
What is the cost for taking this training?
Participants receive tuition-free hands-on construction training, OSHA-10 certification, career coaching, and job placement assistance through the pilot program.
What certifications will participants earn?
Participants complete OSHA-10 certification while receiving hands-on instruction in Resilient Carpentry and Roofing, preparing them for employment in residential construction.
How can I learn more about HBI programs?
Visit https://hbi.org to explore BuildStrong Academies, workforce training programs, employer partnerships, military initiatives, Future Builders of America®, and additional career opportunities.
Build Your Future With HBI
Whether you’re looking to start a career in construction, hire skilled talent, support workforce development, or partner on innovative training initiatives, HBI is helping build the next generation of America’s skilled workforce.
The new partnership with Team Rubicon demonstrates what is possible when organizations unite around a shared mission: creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and preparing skilled professionals who will help build America’s future for decades to come.
Learn more about HBI’s training programs, workforce initiatives, and partnership opportunities at https://hbi.org, and read the official Team Rubicon partnership announcement to see how this exciting collaboration is creating new pathways into the skilled trades.
