Home Builders Institute

Facebook X-twitter Youtube Instagram Linkedin
DONATE TODAY!
CONTACT US
FOR HBI EMPLOYEES
Search

Home Builders Institute

Facebook X-twitter Youtube Instagram Linkedin
DONATE TODAY!
CONTACT US
FOR HBI EMPLOYEES
Search

Future Builders of America®: HBI’s National Program Building the Next Generation of Skilled Trades Leaders

America’s future is being built today – one classroom, one workshop, and one student at a time.

As the 2025 – 2026 school year comes to a close, Home Builders Institute (HBI) is celebrating another incredible year of preparing the next generation of skilled trades professionals through its Future Builders of America® program.

Thanks to expanded support from The Home Depot Foundation and the National Housing Endowment, HBI reached more students, more schools, and more communities than ever before, creating life-changing opportunities while helping address America’s growing skilled labor shortage.

A Record Year for Future Builders of America®

The demand for skilled construction professionals continues to grow across the United States. Employers are actively seeking qualified workers, while schools are looking for meaningful career pathways that prepare students for successful futures.

That’s exactly where HBI’s Future Builders of America® program makes a difference.

During 2025:

  • Schools to Skills Grant funding increased by $325,000
  • 44 new schools adopted HBI’s nationally recognized curriculum
  • More than 15,000 students participated nationwide
  • The program now serves students in more than 400 schools across the country

This remarkable growth was made possible through the continued investment of The Home Depot Foundation and the National Housing Endowment, helping even more schools launch high-quality construction education programs at little or no cost to students. 

A Proven Program with a Lasting Impact

For decades, Future Builders of America® has helped introduce students to rewarding careers in the skilled trades while connecting schools, employers, and industry partners through high-quality construction education. As a nationally recognized HBI initiative, the program has evolved to meet the changing needs of the construction industry by preparing students with technical knowledge, leadership skills, and career-ready credentials.

Through partnerships with educators, local Home Builder Associations, employers, and workforce organizations, Future Builders of America® continues to strengthen talent pipelines while helping students build successful futures in construction and the skilled trades.

More Than Construction Skills

Future Builders of America® is about much more than learning how to build.

Students develop the confidence, leadership abilities, and workplace readiness employers value in every industry.

Throughout the program, students:

  • Build leadership and teamwork skills
  • Explore rewarding skilled trades careers
  • Participate in hands-on construction projects
  • Earn industry-recognized credentials
  • Gain confidence through real-world learning
  • Connect with employers and career opportunities

For the past 16 years, HBI has partnered with NOCTI to provide nationally recognized assessments and skill verification for student learners. Combined with HBI’s industry-recognized Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT) curriculum, Department of Labor-recognized pre-apprenticeship training, and CTEtechWorks® online learning platform, students graduate with valuable technical knowledge, verified credentials, and the professional skills employers seek in today’s workforce.

Closing the Skilled Labor Gap

America’s construction industry continues to face a significant workforce shortage.

Future Builders of America® helps bridge that gap by introducing students to rewarding careers before graduation and creating direct connections between education and employment.

Using HBI’s nationally recognized Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT) curriculum, students receive competency-based instruction in areas including:

  • Carpentry
  • Electrical
  • Plumbing
  • HVAC
  • Masonry
  • Building Construction Technology
  • Green Building
  • Construction Safety
  • Employability Skills

The curriculum is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and numerous state education agencies, providing students with credentials that employers recognize and value. 

Schools to Skills: Removing Barriers to Career Education

One of the biggest reasons for Future Builders of America®’s continued growth is HBI’s Schools to Skills Grant.

This innovative initiative helps eligible secondary schools launch or strengthen construction education programs by providing:

  • HBI’s complete PACT curriculum
  • Instructor training and certification
  • Implementation support
  • Access to CTEtechWorks®, HBI’s online learning management system
  • NOCTI industry-recognized student assessments

Schools to Skills also strengthens partnerships between schools, local Home Builder Associations, employers, and workforce leaders, creating direct pathways from the classroom to apprenticeships, postsecondary education, and rewarding careers in the construction industry. By removing financial barriers, Schools to Skills enables more educators to prepare students for high-demand careers while strengthening local workforce pipelines. 

Investing in America’s Future Workforce

Every Future Builder represents more than a student.

They represent:

  • America’s future builders
  • Future homeowners and entrepreneurs
  • Future business owners
  • Future community leaders
  • The next generation of skilled professionals who will build homes, schools, hospitals, and communities across the country.

As HBI celebrates another successful school year, one thing is clear:

The future is bright, and our Future Builders are leading the way.

FAQs about Future Builders of America®

What is Future Builders of America®?

Future Builders of America® is HBI’s nationally recognized workforce development and career exploration program that enables secondary schools, workforce organizations, and community partners to implement HBI’s Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT) curriculum. Students receive hands-on construction training, leadership development, Department of Labor-recognized pre-apprenticeship instruction, and opportunities to earn NOCTI credentials that prepare them for careers in the skilled trades.

How many students participate in the program?

Today, more than 15,000 students are enrolled in Future Builders of America® across 400+ schools nationwide, with the program continuing to expand each year.

What careers can students prepare for?

Students can pursue careers in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, masonry, landscaping, painting, building construction technology, weatherization, and many other skilled construction trades.

What is the Schools to Skills Grant?

The Schools to Skills Grant helps eligible secondary schools implement HBI’s PACT curriculum by providing curriculum materials, instructor training, implementation support, and student assessments through funding from The Home Depot Foundation and the National Housing Endowment. Follow us on social media or sign up for our newsletters to find out when the next grant opportunity opens!

How can my school bring HBI to our students?

School districts, educators, and career and technical education (CTE) leaders can learn more about becoming a Future Builders of America® partner, applying for Schools to Skills funding, and connecting students with industry-recognized training and career pathways by visiting HBI’s Future Builders of America® program page.

Future Builders of America® by HBI

Future Builders of America® is a national workforce development and career exploration initiative of Home Builders Institute (HBI), helping students discover construction careers while building pathways to apprenticeship, postsecondary education, and employment. Through nationally recognized curriculum, industry partnerships, and innovative programs like Schools to Skills, HBI continues to prepare the next generation of skilled trades professionals while strengthening America’s construction workforce.

Build the Future With HBI

Whether you’re an educator looking to expand career and technical education opportunities, an employer searching for skilled talent, or an organization committed to strengthening America’s workforce, HBI can help.

Together, we can prepare thousands more students for rewarding careers while helping solve the skilled labor shortage facing our nation.

Ready to build tomorrow’s workforce?

Learn more about HBI’s Future Builders of America® program, explore Schools to Skills funding opportunities, partner with HBI, or support our mission to train the next generation of skilled trades professionals. Every new student, every new school, and every new partnership helps build stronger careers, stronger communities, and a stronger America.

Leave a Reply

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

BuildStrong Academy of Greater New Orleans Graduate

Zach Harris is a native New Orleans resident, two-time graduate of Tulane University and a 27-year-old construction entrepreneur. Zach comes from a family of builders and grew up around real estate and residential construction. In fact, Zach enrolled in no-cost trades training at the BuildStrong Academy of Greater New Orleans with his mother in 2022, followed by his father and two brothers in 2023.

Zach Harris - HBI Build Strong Academy New Orleans Graduate

His construction company, Zach the Builder, crafts safer New Orleans homes via reliable roofing services. “The Academy classes cater to different experience levels and different interests. I had the construction business experience but needed to understand the craft,” says Zach. “You can’t be a great coach if you haven’t played football before.”

Outside of running his company, Zach enjoys using his in-demand skill set to give back to the community. To commemorate Memorial Day 2023, Zach and other students and graduates from BSA Greater New Orleans volunteered to help build a home for a veteran in the Lower 9th Ward.

2023 MVP Class Schedule
2023 MVP Class Schedule - HVAC