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Level Up Your Life: Start a Rewarding Construction Career Path with HBI in 2025

Do you want a job that’s hands-on, pays well, and lets you build something real? A career for your future? Forget the desk job – a career in construction could be your perfect fit. HBI is here to help you get started.At HBI (Home Builders Institute), we have a 5-pillar approach to construction education and training. These pillars provide a solid foundation for a successful career in the trades.

At Home Builders Institute, we offer a variety of tuition-free construction training programs throughout the United States, providing individuals with the skills and certifications needed for in-demand careers in the building industry. These programs empower people to gain valuable hands-on experience and launch successful careers without the burden of tuition costs.

HBI’s 5 Pillars 

  1. Job Corps serves as HBI’s foundation. HBI has been partnered with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Job Corps program for 50 years to provide individuals ages 16 – 24 years old with career technical education and training. Job Corps can be a great option for those who want to gain valuable skills and experience in a supportive environment. Learn more about Job Corps.
  2. Community and Corrections programs enable HBI to partner with a broad spectrum of local nonprofits, workforce organizations and state and city municipalities to create and implement Career Technical Education (CTE) programs that address social and economic needs specific to communities across the country. These Programs are customized to benefit underserved and underemployed populations, including justice-involved youth and individuals re-entering society. We equip our program participants with the training, education, skillset, certification, and work experience they need to build a new career, change their lives, and give back to their local communities. Our programs reduce recidivism rates, decrease crime and boost employment in the areas we serve. Visit our Community-Based Programs page.
  3. Transitioning Military programs, funded by The Home Depot Foundation, operate on ten military bases nationwide, supporting transitioning military personnel and their families. HBI is proud to support our veterans and transitioning military service members. We offer a variety of programs and resources to help veterans translate their military skills to successful careers in construction. Our veterans’ programs can help you leverage your experience and dedication to build a rewarding future in the civilian workforce. Learn more about our Military programs.
  4. Future Builders of America (FBA) program introduces young individuals to the opportunities within the construction industry. The Future Builders of America (FBA) is a nationally recognized program that partners with secondary schools, government agencies, and industry organizations to offer HBI’s licensed construction curriculum. Designed for high school students and individuals up to age 25, FBA helps participants explore and prepare for construction careers through education, hands-on training, and industry connections. Learn more about our FBA licensing program.
  5. Academies represent a new learning environment that delivers industry-recognized skills training to a new generation of home builders. The Academy offers tuition-free construction career education through hands-on learning, classroom teaching, and real-life experience. Students gain hands-on technical skills and practical knowledge in basic construction fundamentals, job readiness, discipline and confidence, and access to resources that will prepare them to build a career and successful livelihood.  Learn more about our Academies.

Why Choose a Construction Career?

So, why should you consider a career in construction? Here are just a few of the great reasons:

  • Good Pay and Job Security:Skilled tradespeople are in high demand across the country, which means excellent job security and competitive pay. You can earn a good living without a four-year college degree.
  • Hands-on Work and a Sense of Accomplishment:If you like working with your hands and seeing tangible results, construction is a great fit. There’s a real sense of pride that comes from building something with your own skills.
  • Opportunity to Build Things That Last:You’ll be part of creating homes, schools, hospitals, and other important structures that will be around for generations.
  • Potential for Advancement:There are many opportunities for career growth in construction. You can move up to supervisory roles, become a project manager, or even start your own business.
  • Avoid Student Debt: Unlike many four-year college programs, HBI training programs are often shorter and more affordable, allowing you to start earning money sooner and avoid large student loans.

A Look Back at 2024: By the Numbers

2024 was a year of growth and impact for HBI, with thousands of individuals taking steps toward a fulfilling career in construction. Here’s a quick look at some key statistics:

2024 was a year of growth and impact for HBI, with thousands of individuals taking steps toward a fulfilling career in construction. Here’s a quick look at some key statistics:

These numbers highlight the growing demand for skilled construction workers and HBI’s role in meeting that demand.

  1. Total Enrollments: HBI saw a total of 21,247 enrollments across all programs, a strong 13% increase from the previous year.
  2. FBA Leading the Way: The Future Builders of America program saw impressive growth, with 15,315 enrollments, a 22% increase.
  3. Certifications Earned: HBI issued 16,913 certifications in 2024, a 6% increase from the prior year, demonstrating our commitment to quality training.
  4. Program Breakdown:
    • FBA: 9,836 certifications (6% growth)
    • Job Corps: 1,096 certifications (12% growth)
    • WTE (Workforce Training and Education): 5,981 certifications (5% growth)
      *While Job Corps saw a decline in enrollment it showed an increase in certifications.

Ready to start building your future? Explore our training programs for a career in construction and find the right fit for you.

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Home Builders Institute (HBI) is an exempt organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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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. 

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