Home Builders Institute

Facebook X-twitter Youtube Instagram Linkedin
SUPPORT US
HBI IS HIRING
CONTACT US
FOR HBI EMPLOYEES
Search

JOB CORPS

Orange

Pink

Green

Blue

Celebrating 50 Years in Job Corps

HBI Job Corps

For 50 years, Home Builders Institute (HBI) has proudly partnered with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Job Corps program to provide individuals aged 16–24 years old with career technical education and training.

Advanced Training Overview
Advanced Training Schedule
Job Corps
Fact Sheet

Our programs are available at 67 Job Corps locations across 42 states. HBI’s training programs with Job Corps, include:

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY (BCT)
ELECTRICAL
LANDSCAPING
heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
SOLAR
PLUMBING
Additionally, HBI offers seven (7) Advanced Training programs in electrical, HVAC, solar and plumbing. HBI’s Jobs Corps training programs can be completed within a year. Students receive a trade-specific pre-apprenticeship certificate, OSHA-10 certification, and other industry-recognized credentials upon graduation. HBI also provides program graduates with job placement and transitional support to build a successful career in construction. HBI Job Corps’ 50th anniversary marks five decades of empowering young people through education and vocational training.  The milestone signifies HBI Job Corps’ enduring commitment to providing opportunities for personal and professional growth to generations of individuals across the United States.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Daunte Simms

HBI GRADUATE

Daunte Simms, from Portland, Oregon, began his journey in the skilled trades at Timberlake Job Corps, where he completed the Pre-Apprentice Electrical program in September 2023. Determined to take his skills further, he advanced into the Overhead Line training program. Now, with hands-on experience and industry credentials, Daunte is ready to power his future with the skills and confidence he gained through HBI.

“HBI gave me the skills to succeed in life and create value for myself.”

Find A Job Corps Program
Meet A Graduate

Ruben Ceballos

Daisy Martinez

Starr Delgado

Faith Smith-berg

RUBEN CEBALLOS

Lead Instructor
HBI ELECTRICAL Program Graduate, 2007

Ruben Ceballos enrolled in the HBI Electrical Program at the San Diego Job Corps Center in September 2005. He was a motivated student and a true leader as a shop foreman. After graduating in early 2007, Ruben was in a new job when the recession hit. “I was one of a few people they didn’t lay off;’ he said. “The skills and discipline I learned

RUBEN CEBALLOS

from HBI made me invaluable to my employer.” Over the years, Ruben’s Job Corps instructor never forgot him. In 2017, he chose Ruben as his replacement, based on Ruben’s knowledge and amazing way with people. In 2019, Ruben joined the Specialty Contractors Committee (SCC) of the Building Industry Association of San Diego County. “Through my connections within SCC, I help place my students in good-paying jobs. No matter where I go, I put my students first.” Ruben now owns an electrical contracting business and serves as the Chair of the Safety and Health board for HBI. Ruben is the winner of HBI’s 2021 Chairman’s Award for Overall Excellence. 

Daisy Martinez

Senior Service Technician HBI Facilities Maintenance Program Graduate, 2019

In November 2018, Daisy Martinez had no construction skills when she entered the Facilities Maintenance Program at the Los Angeles Job Corps Center. But what she did have was courage and commitment. “I was determined to work in the maintenance facilities industry,” she said. 

Daisy Martinez

“I was only 18 at the time, but I knew HBI could get me where I wanted to be.” Daisy may be shy, but never shy about fulfilling important responsibilities to herself, co-workers and family. Today, Daisy is a senior service technician for a high-end apartment building. With a growing career ahead of her, she is now the sole provider for her disabled brother and parents. “Together, my family has overcome a lot. But I’ve worked hard for us, and our future looks a lot brighter.” Daisy is the winner of HBI’s 2021 Shirley McVay Wiseman Award for Exceptional Promise. 

Starr Delgado

INSTRUCTOR, HBI JOB CORPS PLUMBING PROGRAM PLUMBING PROGRAM GRADUATE, 2001

Starr Delgado’s story is one of giving back. At the Grafton Job Corps Center, she completed HBI’s plumbing training program and developed confidence she never knew she had. “Like the kids I teach today, I came from struggle. When I needed someone to believe in me, I found that 

Starr Cabinet

person as HBI,” Starr says. “They put me on a path that changed my life.”  After working in the plumbing trade, she returned to Grafton in 2017 as an HBI instructor. “If we teach our students from the moment they walk in that they are somebody, they want us to be proud of them. Every day I give them positive energy, recognition. I meet them where they are and then we move forward together!” 

Faith Smith-Berg

HBI Edison Job Corp BCT Program Student

Faith Smith-Berg is an exemplary student who embodies resilience and integrity. Before entering HBI’s BCT program, Faith faced many hardships. “I did not grow up in a suburban home surrounded by friends and family,” she said. “I was in foster care for some time and grew up without certain people around but was given the opportunity to start over — turn over a new leaf in a sense.” 

Faith Smith Berg

Since entering HBI’s program, Faith has developed new skills to set her up for success. “HBI tries to create a place where you learn independent living skills and a sense of work, leaving with either a diploma or, like me, a driver’s license,” she said. 

Faith credits HBI for giving her an opportunity to build a new life for herself. “I can honestly say that anyone can turn their lives around in this program,” she said. Faith is excited to start a new chapter after graduation and will be moving to Florida to work in the construction industry.

Contacts Us

Name
Address
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
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