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In addition to advocating for policies to increase housing supply and improve affordability, the Home Builders Association of Virginia supports statewide initiatives that teach trade skills and address the construction industry’s workforce needs.
This spring, HBAV’s Education Foundation awarded $41,000 to local home building Associations and industry organizations that partner with builders across the Commonwealth. Since 2018, the HBAV Education Foundation has invested more than $150,000 into programs that expose youth to the industry and career paths in construction.
“The projects the HBAV Education Foundation committee selected this year are initiatives that we believe not only make an impact on our industry, but offer a meaningful moment in kids’ lives,” says Justin Boyle, the HBAV Education Foundation committee chair and co-owner of Green Valley Builders. “With an industry wide critical skilled labor shortage, our members do all we can to support and grow careers in residential construction and show the value of technical and trade education. We are truly honored and proud to support these programs.”
2025 HBAV Education Foundation grant recipients include:
Recipient: Blue Ridge Home Builders Association, Charlottesville
Description: The Association will provide funding to support two initiatives in the 2025-2026 school year: Workforce development scholarships, and a new Community Trades Day event.
- The Association will award five scholarships to graduating Charlottesville Area Technical Education Center (CATEC) students pursuing careers in building trades. The funds can go towards continuing education at technical schools, community colleges, or apprenticeships.
- An inaugural “Community Trades Day” in partnership with the Charlottesville Office of Economic Development on Oct. 4 at Piedmont Virginia Community College. The program aims to raise awareness of industry careers by targeting high school students and parents. The event will feature hands-on demonstrations, exhibits, and career counseling.
Recipient: BuildSmart Institute, Roanoke
Description: The Institute will provide technical trades training for workforce development and succession to introduce, instruct, and certify entry-level workers in a variety of construction industry competencies — specifically, electrical training. With an emphasis on safety, students will complete four courses that build on one another, covering topics like materials, load calculations, motor operation, and maintenance. The program provides 595 course hours using the industry standard National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) curriculum. Students will receive the NCCER credential and complete the training required for a registered apprenticeship.
Recipient: New River Valley Home Builders Association, Christiansburg
Description: The Education Foundation will provide funds to support three programs from the Association:
- The second annual “Build Her Dreams Bed Build” with local nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace, constructing beds for children in need. The September program is aimed at engaging girls in the community and giving them a chance to serve a non-profit while gaining insight into construction. Partnerships with the Girl Scouts, school groups, and local sports teams will increase participation of middle- and high-school aged girls.
- The Builders Care Education Microgrant Program, funding special projects and/or materials within classrooms. Past projects include construction of a drone competition obstacle course, chicken coop, and a concrete pad for an outdoor classroom.
- Core Construction Summer Program: A workforce development initiative will offer a three-week program in partnership with Build Smart Institute targeting recent high school graduates and individuals seeking career changes. On completion, students will earn industry certifications including the OSHA 10-hour construction card, NCCER credential, Home Builders Institute certificate, and First Aid/CPR certification.
Recipient: Home Builders Association of Virginia, Richmond
Description: The Education Foundation committee also approved HBAV for two grants:
- The 2025 Virginia Builders Summit’s Students’ Summit. Hosted by HBAV, the Builders Summit is held annually in Richmond and features over 70 exhibitors and 10+ education sessions, attracting over 800 residential builders, remodelers, developers, suppliers, and partners. The Summit also engages with local student chapters and schools utilizing the Home Builders Institute curriculum. More than 110 students attend free of charge, affording them the opportunity to engage with hundreds of industry leaders, learn from the exhibitors, and a attend panel discussion highlighting how members got into the industry and how they got to where they are now.
- HBAV’s Teacher of the Year Award as part of the HBAV Annual Conference & Housing Excellence Awards in June.
Recipient: Valley Career & Technical Center, Fishersville
Description: Students from seven area high schools throughout Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County recently competed in local and district SkillsUSA competitions in residential construction trades. Seven students from the Valley Career and Technical Center placed first or second and earned the right to compete in the state competition at the Berglund Center in Roanoke. The funding covers travel expenses so that costs are not a hindrance to students and families.
What’s next?
Grant recipients were presented with checks during HBAV’s Spring Leadership Luncheon on April 23 in Richmond at The Commonwealth Club, which featured guest speaker Jim Tobin, CEO of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). A June 5 charity auction at the HBAV Annual Conference will kick off fundraising efforts for the 2026 grant cycle.
Through Virginia’s regional home building associations, school systems, community colleges, universities, and other similar institutions, the HBAV Education Foundation provides funding and scholarships to advance education and build the home building industry’s labor force and knowledge across the Commonwealth. Give now at HBAV.com/education.