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HBI as the Solution to the Skilled Labor Shortage – And How Local HBAs Can Lead the Way

The U.S. construction industry is at a turning point.

With hundreds of thousands of open jobs, rising housing demand, and an aging workforce, the skilled labor shortage is no longer a future concern – it’s a present-day crisis impacting builders, communities, and the economy.

But there is a proven solution already in place.

The Home Builders Institute (HBI), in partnership with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), is leading a national effort to rebuild the construction workforce – and local Home Builders Associations (HBAs) play a critical role in making that solution work.

The construction labor shortage is costing $1 million per hour, delaying builds by 2 months per project, and preventing 52 homes per day from being built.

The solution isn’t theoretical – it’s already happening through workforce programs like HBI.

The Workforce Crisis: Why It Matters Now

According to NAHB-backed research and HBI data:

  • The labor shortage is costing the home building industry over $10.8 billion annually
  • Nearly 19,000 homes are not built each year due to lack of workers
  • Construction timelines are extended by almost 2 months on average
  • The industry needs approximately 723,000 new workers each year to meet demand

This shortage directly impacts:

  • Housing affordability
  • Project timelines
  • Business growth for builders
  • Economic stability nationwide

As highlighted in HBI’s workforce initiatives, this is a structural issue, not a temporary one.

🎧 Podcast Spotlight: How HBI and NAHB Are Solving the Crisis

To better understand the scale of the challenge – and the solutions in action – HBI’s leadership recently shared insights in two powerful podcast conversations featuring Ed Brady (HBI President & CEO) and Eugene Graf (HBI Board Chairman).

🎥 WATCH

Key Takeaways from the Podcasts:

  • HBI was created as NAHB’s workforce development arm to address labor shortages at scale
  • The organization now operates nationwide, training 20,000+ individuals annually
  • Programs are designed to produce job-ready workers aligned with real industry needs
  • Workforce development is not optional – it is essential to the future of home building

Eugene Graf explains: 

“The labor shortage isn’t correcting itself. HBI has proven, scalable solutions that deliver trained workers where and when we need them.”

And as Ed Brady emphasizes: 

The shortage is adding time, cost, and limiting housing supply – making workforce development one of the most critical issues facing the industry today.

What HBI Does – And Why It Works

HBI’s model is effective because it addresses the workforce shortage at every level.

1. Tuition-Free, Hands-On Training

HBI provides no-cost training programs in high-demand trades like carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, removing financial barriers for students.

👉 Explore our free construction career training programs: https://hbi.org/build-a-better-future-free-construction-career-training-at-hbi-buildstrong-academies/

2. National Reach with Local Impact

Operating in 48 states, HBI delivers training through five core pathways:

  • Job Corps
  • Community & Corrections
  • Military & Veterans
  • Future Builders of America (schools)
  • BuildStrong Academies

3. Industry-Recognized Training (PACT)

HBI’s Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT) is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor and prepares students to be job-ready from day one.

PACT combines:

  • Technical construction skills
  • Safety and tool competency
  • Employability and life skills
  • Real-world, hands-on training

This ensures graduates are not just trained – they are job-ready from day one.

4. Strong Industry Partnerships

HBI works closely with major organizations and employers, including:

  • National Association of Home Builders
  • The Home Depot Foundation
  • U.S. Department of Labor

These partnerships help:

  • Align training with real workforce needs
  • Expand program funding and reach
  • Connect graduates directly to job opportunities

5. Job Placement That Delivers Results

HBI doesn’t stop at training – it focuses on outcomes.

Some programs achieve job placement rates above 90% within six months.

That means:

  • Employers get skilled, reliable workers
  • Students get immediate career opportunities
  • Communities benefit from economic growth

👉 Read more about HBI’s impact: https://hbi.org/stories/

6. Real Impact on Communities

HBI’s work goes beyond workforce development.

Students have helped:

  • Build and renovate over 100 homes
  • Support sustainable construction through green building practices

This creates a ripple effect – stronger communities, better housing, and more economic opportunity.

How Local HBAs Can Engage with HBI Programs

Local and state HBAs are essential to scaling HBI’s impact.

The good news? There are multiple ways to get involved – whether you’re starting from scratch or already have programs in place.

1. Launch a Local HBI Program

HBAs can work directly with HBI to establish programs such as:

  • BuildStrong Academies
  • PACT school partnerships
  • Military transition programs
  • Community-based workforce initiatives

The process includes:

  1. Selecting a program model
  2. Connecting with HBI leadership
  3. Building local partnerships
  4. Securing training space
  5. Recruiting students
  6. Creating a hiring pipeline

2. Hire HBI Graduates

One of the most immediate ways to make an impact:

👉 Hire trained, motivated, job-ready workers

As Eugene Graf puts it:

“If they’ve taken the training, they’ve already shown initiative. Give them a chance to get started and grow into the next generation of skilled labor.”

Struggling to find skilled workers?

They’re already being trained.

👉 Connect with your local HBI program and start hiring job-ready graduates: https://hbi.org

Stop searching. Start building your workforce.

3. Mentor and Support Students

Even if your company isn’t hiring right now, you can:

  • Mentor students
  • Offer jobsite exposure
  • Participate in training programs

4. Sponsor Programs or Graduations

HBAs and member companies can:

  • Fund local programs
  • Sponsor graduation events
  • Donate tools, equipment, or materials

5. Build the Local Workforce Pipeline

HBAs play a critical role in:

  • Connecting employers with talent
  • Promoting careers in the trades
  • Supporting long-term workforce sustainability

The future of housing depends on the people who build it.

Right now, we have the tools, the training, and the talent pipeline –
we just need industry leaders to step up.

👉 Get involved with HBI: https://hbi.org

Because building homes starts with building people.

Why HBA Engagement Is Critical

HBI provides the training infrastructure – but HBAs provide the local leadership and industry connection that makes programs successful.

Together, they:

  • Create job-ready workers
  • Strengthen local economies
  • Improve housing supply
  • Support the future of the building industry

This is not just workforce development.

It’s workforce transformation.

Take Action: Build the Workforce Your Industry Needs

If you are an HBA leader, builder, or industry partner:

👉 Explore HBI programs: https://hbi.org
👉 Learn how to start a program in your area
👉 Connect with your local HBI representative
👉 Hire or mentor HBI students

The workforce shortage won’t fix itself – but together, we can.

FAQs About HBI and HBA Engagement

1. What is HBI’s role in solving the labor shortage?

HBI trains and places thousands of job-ready workers into the construction industry each year through tuition-free, industry-aligned programs.

2. How can local HBAs partner with HBI?

HBAs can launch local training programs implementing HBI’s nationally-recognized trades training curriculum, hire graduates, mentor students, sponsor program initiatives and events, and connect employers with workforce pipelines.

3. Are HBI graduates ready to work immediately?

Yes. HBI programs focus on hands-on training, certifications, and job readiness, ensuring graduates can contribute on day one.

4. What types of programs can HBAs support?

Programs include BuildStrong Academies, PACT training in schools, military transition programs, and community-based workforce initiatives.

5. Why is workforce development important for builders?

Without a steady pipeline of skilled workers, builders face delays, rising costs, and missed opportunities. Workforce development directly impacts business success and industry growth. 

The solution exists. The workforce is ready.

👉 Get involved with HBI: https://hbi.org

Let’s build what’s next – together.

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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

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