About Home Builders Institute (HBI)

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Building Careers. Changing Lives.
At Home Builders Institute (HBI), we are more than a construction training organization – we are a career-building powerhouse. For over 50 years, HBI has been empowering individuals with the skills, confidence, and certifications needed to thrive in the construction industry. Our tuition-free programs and hands-on training are designed to fill the critical construction workforce shortage and help our graduates build meaningful and sustainable careers.

Why Choose HBI?

Fast-Track Your Path to a Job in Construction – Get Certified

Proven Impact and Results
We pride ourselves on the tangible impact HBI has had on the construction industry and our graduates. Here’s a look at our success:

Ready to join the thousands of graduates building America’s future?
Contact us today
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HBI Reflects on a Successful NAHB Association Management Conference in Salt Lake City
HBI Reflects on a Successful NAHB Association Management Conference in Salt Lake City
Community and Social Impact
HBI isn’t just focused on training workers. We are dedicated to community-building and driving social change through construction:
Accreditations and Industry Affiliations
HBI’s programs are backed by top industry bodies and offer recognized certifications that make our graduates stand out.
HBI Reflects on a Successful NAHB Association Management Conference in Salt Lake City
HBI Reflects on a Successful NAHB Association Management Conference in Salt Lake City
Mentorship and Career Development Support
At HBI, we believe in supporting our students every step of the way. Our programs include access to experienced industry professionals who serve as mentors, guiding students through their training and into their careers.

Success Stories

We’re not just building homes; we’re transforming lives. Hear from some of our graduates who have taken their HBI training to the next level:

Want to read more inspiring stories?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best way to start a career in construction?
The best way to start a career in construction is through hands-on training and certification. At HBI, we offer tuition-free construction training programs that teach you the essential skills employers are looking for. Our programs cover a wide range of trades, from carpentry and plumbing to electrical work. Plus, we provide job placement assistance to help you get started right away.

Absolutely! HBI’s programs are designed for individuals of all skill levels, even if you have no prior experience in construction. Our instructors guide you through hands-on training, ensuring you learn the skills necessary for a successful career in the building trades. We also offer blended learning options for those who prefer online and in-person learning.

HBI offers industry-recognized certifications, including our Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT). PACT is widely respected in the construction industry and is recognized by both employers and government agencies. It equips you with the practical skills needed to start a career in trades such as carpentry, electrical, and HVAC.
HBI offers tuition-free construction training at multiple locations across the U.S., including Orlando, Houston, New Orleans, Sacramento, and Phoenix. You can find the HBI Academy closest to you and start your journey toward a rewarding career in construction.
At HBI, we don’t just train you – we help you land a job. Our team works closely with top employers in the construction industry to ensure our graduates have access to job opportunities. We offer job placement assistance and continue to support you after graduation.

What You Can Expect from HBI: 

Join the Construction Revolution

The construction industry is booming, with a growing demand for skilled workers. If you’re looking for job security, great pay, and the pride of building America, HBI is your gateway to success. Our graduates are changing lives – their own and the lives of the people they build for. Hear from our success stories. 

Ready to Build Your Future?

Take the first step toward a rewarding career in construction with HBI today.
Explore Our Free Construction Training Programs

Together, we’ll build a brighter future – brick by brick, skill by skill.

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Remember, a strong future is built on a solid foundation.

Contacts Us

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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 Story Card - HBI Build Strong Academy New Orleans Graduate