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In the past year, the HBAV Education Foundation awarded grants totaling $26,000 toward initiatives that will help develop the next generation of skilled workers. Recipients recently reported on the outcomes generated by the seven grants:
- Build Smart Institute: Scholarships are supporting five students in the core trades program, which includes basic skills such as drywall, painting and electrical. As part of the program, the students will be building a small shed that will be donated to a local charitable organization. To date, Build Smart has invested $1.7 million in workforce development.
- Fredericksburg Area Builders Association: Students are building a two-part modular house that will be moved, after completion, to a Habitat for Humanity-donated lot and sold at cost to a military service veteran. Students are learning all trades on site, using professional-grade materials.
- HBAV: About 110 high school students attended the Virginia Builders Summit, thanks to the foundation’s sponsorship. The students, who are enrolled in trades tracks, had opportunities to meet with summit exhibitors who represent the different skills required in home building, as well as attend educational sessions. The attendees also got to hear from four building professionals during lunch.
“Thank you for letting us explore and connect with people in different trades. It really reassures me that no matter what happens I’ll have a place and home in the trades,” one of the participating students said.
- HBAV: Josiah Stinson, from the Spotsylvania Career & Technical Center, received the inaugural Teacher of the Year award during our Annual Conference and Housing Excellence Awards in June. Stinson was recognized for his dedication to education, ability to inspire students to pursue careers in the building trades, and contributions to workforce development in the construction industry.
- New River Valley Home Builders Association: On Sept. 14, the group’s Women in Building Committee hosted “Build Her Dreams Bed Build,” which also celebrated Professional Women in Building Week, in partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace-NRV. This event combined career awareness and community service, offering local girls a unique opportunity to learn about construction careers and make a tangible difference.
With the help of over 125 volunteers and sponsors, over 40 beds were built and donated to children in need. More than 70 girls from local organizations gained hands-on experience using power tools, guided by women from the construction industry who shared their expertise and inspired the girls with their career stories.
“It was rewarding to see so many young girls excited to learn about tools and construction, all while helping other children within the community,” said Gretchen Merix, a civil engineer with Balzer & Associates and member of the NRVHBA Women in Building Committee. “It was also a great opportunity for the adults to make new connections with other women in the building industry.”
- New River Valley HBA: Microgrants were awarded to high school teachers for classroom projects that help build tangible student skills, introduce them to new trades or support career development. The projects included using a drone in surveying, building a chicken coop and landscape design.
- Valley Career & Technical Center: Over nine days, trades students helped to build nine small houses in a “Community Blitz Build” – dealing with real-world challenges, including project delays caused by the rains from Hurricane Helene. Ten local builders also provided pro bono support, with crews often working around-the-clock. The projects are designed in stages, with students starting with wiring and plumbing, then moving into drywall and trim.
The project was coordinated by Brad Bryant, who teaches carpentry at the center and is president of the Augusta Home Builders Association. The student crew included 30 current students and more than 40 former students.
The homes will be sold to pay for the construction costs, with any additional proceeds to be donated to assist individuals who are homeless and victims of the hurricane. Each cottage is 14 feet wide by 32 feet long, featuring a living area, bedroom and bathroom.
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