Women Surge Forward in Male-Dominated Fields, but Construction's Momentum Lags Behind

Women are rewriting the narrative and smashing through longstanding barriers in occupations traditionally dominated by men. Recent data reveals a positive surge of female talent entering nontraditional fields, signaling a shift. However, amidst this promising wave of change, the construction industry grapples with a slower pace of growth, revealing the need for a closer look at the challenges and triumphs within its evolving landscape.

The U.S. Department of Labor defines nontraditional occupations for women as those where women make up 25 percent or less of the total number of workers in that occupation.

As of the end of 2023, only Farming, Fishing, and Forestry had more than 25% representation by women, with 27.1%. The two occupation groups with the lowest representation of women were Construction and Extraction (4.3% in 2023) and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair (4.1% in 2023). While occupations in Transportation and Farming, Fishing, and Forestry saw significant increases over the past 10 years (5.7 and 4.7 percentage points, respectively), Construction and Extraction and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair saw only minor increases (1.7 and 0.6 percentage points, respectively).

As women boldly redefine their roles in traditionally male-dominated fields, the construction industry grapples with a sluggish momentum, underscoring the imperative for a nuanced examination of the sector's evolving challenges and triumphs.

Why Aren't More Women Entering the Construction Industry?

The slow growth of women entering construction is influenced by deep-seated societal beliefs and workplace dynamics. Outdated narratives linking construction to physical strength and masculinity discourage women from pursuing these careers. This is reinforced by internalized gender biases affecting how women view their capabilities. Discrimination and harassment also persist, leading to unequal opportunities and subtle biases. The absence of female co-workers compounds isolation for women in construction.

Building Talent Foundation's Impact

Paving the Way for Women in Construction

Building Talent Foundation (BTF) and its partners have made significant progress in addressing these issues and fostering a more inclusive environment for women in construction. In 2023, 15.7% of BTF’s placements were females compared to the 4.3% of women in Construction and Extraction occupations. BTF reaches women by inspiring the next generation with positive female role models, promoting careers in construction to women and girls in schools, and providing mentorship to those with an interest in the field. BTF engagement managers coach women toward training and job opportunities that fit their interests and build relationships with key community organizations. BTF has also provided resources to support the industry in recruiting, training, and retaining more women.

One key resource is Women Breaking Barriers.  Building Talent Foundation studied the barriers women face when pursuing skilled trades careers. The resulting research, Women Breaking Barriers: A Guide to Recruiting, Training and Retaining Women in the Residential Construction Trades, explores how the industry can strengthen the workforce by tapping into the skills and expertise of women. The research identified the following key actions for recruiting, training, and retaining more women:

Empowering Women in Construction

For employers seeking to diversify their workforce, JobsToBuild.com is the go-to, no-cost platform. As of January 31, 23% of the job seekers registered on JobsToBuild.com are female, highlighting the platform's success in attracting a diverse pool of talent to the sector. BTF invites Employers looking to hire more female candidates to register and explore the qualified, prescreened talent available on JobsToBuild.com .

BTF continues to pave a transformative path for women in construction, showcasing the industry's potential and the strides yet to be made with a strategic approach.

BTF Partners with Respected Organizations in California

BTF has expanded into California – one of the largest, most important homebuilding markets in the world – with the help of some key partners.

Two well-established and respected organizations are helping BTF gain a foothold in The Golden State. North State Building Industry Foundation (NSBIF) and California Homebuilding Foundation (CHF) are partnering with BTF to help us expand our mission of creating a sustainable workforce.

By establishing a presence in California, BTF is not only widening its footprint, but gaining a foothold in one of the largest, most important homebuilding markets in the world.

If it were a separate country, California would be the fourth largest economy in the world. Home to nearly 40 million people, the state is in desperate need of new homes. State housing officials have set a goal of building 2.5 million new homes by 2030.

That ambitious goal magnifies the talent shortage facing the homebuilding industry and makes the task of building a sustainable workforce even more important.

Critical Partners

NSBIF has been working to address the construction talent shortage since 2007. They enjoy tremendous support and respect and support from builders, employers, schools and training programs in Northern California. Their partnership will be invaluable in helping BTF establish relationships with those key partners.

Rick Larkey, a technical advisor to the NSBIF, is also an advisor to BTF and was instrumental in establishing the partnership.

With over four decades of philanthropic experience, CHF is the leading statewide non-profit organization focused on guiding students to careers in homebuilding. They distribute scholarships and conduct industry research, as well as provide hands-on construction training through their Donald Chaiken Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA). Impacting over 6,000 students annually in 50 California high schools, BITA is a Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway program, approved by the University of California under the elective subject requirement.

BTF is working closely with both organizations, collaborating on initiatives that promote careers in construction, connect young people with training programs, and connect job seekers with employers looking for talent.

As in all other markets where BTF operates, a dedicated Engagement Manager is a critical component. BTF’s first California-based Engagement Manager is Elon Randolph.

New Engagement Manager

Based on Sacramento, Elon has over 20 years of recruitment management experience, including supporting companies in the skilled trades. He has worked directly with trade school instructors, job seekers, and employers, helping to get young people involved in training programs and, ultimately into careers.

Both CHF and NSBIF have been instrumental in helping Elon establish relationships with builders and trade employers in Sacramento and the surrounding areas. The partnership with those organizations has helped him, and BTF, get off to a fast start. With the help of NSBIF and CHF, Elon has participated in several career fairs, expos, and other events, where he has met with employers, job seekers and students.

By establishing this momentum so quickly, Elon expects to be making an impact on the industry – and on people’s lives – in the near future.

And that’s just the beginning. In 2023, BTF will be expanding to Southern California and throughout the state, helping to address the severe talent shortage in one of the largest homebuilding markets in the world.

Simpson Strong-Tie event exposes youth to construction industry tools and careers

Dan Scullion has given product demonstrations to engineers, architects, building officials and construction contractors, but a group of students from Jacksonville Job Corps Center kept him on his toes.

“Those students came ready. They were curious and eager to learn,” he said, impressed by the thoughtfulness – and volume – of their questions. “They asked so many questions, it blew me away!”

As an outreach coordinator at Simpson Strong-Tie, Dan led the product demonstration and training at a career event for the students at the company’s Jacksonville facility. The event was co-hosted by Simpson Strong-Tie and Building Talent Foundation to expose the students to careers in construction, as well as to familiarize them with the Simpson Strong-Tie brand and products.

Hands-On Experience

Attended by 43 students, the event was designed to allow them talk to construction professionals one-on-one, get hands-on experience with products and tools, and interview for jobs with immediate openings. It consisted of three main segments.

First, Simpson Strong-Tie gave product demonstrations and training/overview on the company and its products. The students were able to get hands-on experience with the products at three different stations.

Next, construction industry professionals held a panel discussion for the students, allowing them to ask questions and learn about working in the sector and how to achieve success in their careers. The panelists were Construction Coach Dave Martin with David Weekley Homes, Technical Sales Manager Todd Phillips with James Hardie, and Director at Large Michael Savage with the International Code Council.

Finally, construction industry employers from the Jacksonville area met with students, talked with them about career opportunities, and interviewed them for immediate openings. Employers included American Builders Supply, Construction Solutions, Onsite Safety, and Innovative Construction Group.

So far, ten of the students have received job offers, while the rest are either interviewing or still determining their future plans.

Intimate Setting

The Simpson Strong-Tie event was an example of how BTF partners with the Job Corps to help students find careers in the building trades. “Working with BTF helps us give opportunities to our students to gain knowledge and hands-on experience that will help them get jobs,” said Si-Meon Russ, Work-Based Learning and CTST Coordinator for Jacksonville Job Corps. “Our instructors even enjoyed it because they got to see the new tools and how the industry is changing.”

At the event, the students, many of whom have barriers to employment, were able to learn how to interact with professionals. “It was essential for our students,” said Si-Meon. “It taught them how to network, gain insight on what employers expect, and how to conduct themselves.”

According to BTF Engagement Director John Tilley, the event was a great opportunity for everyone involved. “The students learned that the skilled trades were in demand, and employers got access to bright, young talent,” he said. “Simpson Strong-Tie was able to make a connection with people who will use and purchase their products in the future.”

What made the event special was the intimate setting. “It got the students out of their normal environment and allowed them to mingle with employers, ask questions, and learn about the products,” John said. “At the end of the day, they had the opportunity to get hired.”

Training the Next Generation

Dan said that Simpson Strong-Tie sees events like this as essential to building the construction workforce. “It’s our commitment to help provide knowledge, training and education to the next generation of workforce,” he said. “Partnering with Building Talent Foundation to influence the students brings us one step closer to accomplishing our mission.”

Dan added that the company also benefits from events like this one. “It's helping to build the brand,” he added. “Through events like this, we can expose the future workforce to our products, so they are familiar with them on the first day they work on the job.”

Based on the event’s success, Simpson Strong-Tie and BTF will be replicating it in other markets, promoting construction careers to more students, and exposing more people to Simpson Strong-Tie products.

“A big part of our responsibility to our industry partners includes helping to address the current labor shortage we are experiencing in construction. This event is just one of the ways Simpson Strong-Tie is working on solutions to support the building industry,” noted Simpson Strong-Tie President of North American Sales Roger Dankel.

A Persistent Problem

The Job Corps program was created to allow young adults from under-served communities or those who can’t afford training to learn skilled trades without accruing any debt. But even after they graduate, many of the students face additional challenges.

“Housing is an issue,” said Si-Meon, who explained that many students come from out of state and can’t afford to pay rent when they graduate. “They live on campus while they’re in school, but if they don’t return home after graduation, they don’t have a place to stay.”

She said that the Job Corps is helping as many students as they can with temporary housing, but they can’t help everyone.

This presents an opportunity for BTF and its partners to make a greater impact on the industry and the community, according to Branka Minic, CEO of BTF. “What if the industry could sponsor students, or even build low-income housing for them?” she asked.

BTF is currently working on ways to address this problem, and welcomes any input and ideas from its partners.

If you would like to talk to us about ideas to solve the housing problem for Job Corps students, or if you would like to host an event similar to this training and hiring event, contact us at comms@buildingtf.org.

BTF Celebrates Careers in Construction Month: Here’s How You Can Join Us

October is Careers in Construction Month, so it’s important that we all promote the construction industry and the career opportunities it holds.

During the month, BTF will be promoting construction careers to everyone from kindergartners to high school students to people actively looking for jobs or to change their careers. Here are the initiatives we have planned for October.

Teaching Kids about Construction

Part of the reason for the talent shortage in construction is the stigma that has been placed on working in the trades. Combating that stigma starts with showing children that people who work in the trades play an important part in our everyday lives.

That’s why BTF Engagement Managers will be visiting schools to read Someone Builds the Dream to students in kindergarten through fourth grade. Written by Lisa Wheeler, this children’s book teaches kids that buildings, bridges, and homes wouldn’t exist without the people who build them.

By teaching kids from at young age that there is honor, dignity, and opportunity in construction, we can help de-stigmatize the trades and close the talent gap.

How You Can Help

Reading to kids is a fun, rewarding way to plant the seeds for the future construction workforce. If you're located in one of our markets, we invite you to join our Engagement Managers in reading Someone Builds the Dream and getting kids excited about working in construction. Just contact us to get started.

Career Events for High School Students and Job-Seekers

According to the National Center for Construction Education, 40 percent of the current construction workforce will retire by 2031, which will have a dramatic impact on the talent gap. Both the immediate and long-term future of the construction workforce lies among high school students. These young people face important decisions about their futures, and we are helping them see the building trades as a viable career path.

BTF Engagement Managers regularly organize and participate in high school career events throughout the year, but will be doubling their efforts in October. During this month, they will be meeting with as many students as possible, promoting careers in construction and showing them how they can get started.

These events will promote careers in construction and encourage students to explore the 30 career pathways on JobsToBuild.com. The more they learn about the many opportunities in construction, the more likely they are to pursue construction for their own careers.

Our Engagement Managers will also be hosting career events for students who are already in trade schools, as well as people who are working in different industries and who are considering changing careers to construction. A key aspect of these events will be to bring employers to these events, where they can meet directly with students and candidates.

In all cases, Engagement Managers will be encouraging students and candidates to register on JobsToBuild.com, where they can learn about educational programs as well as be more visible to employers.

How You Can Help

If you work in construction, you can play an important part in these events by serving as a role model. By visiting schools and meeting and speaking to the students about your background and experience, you can set an example for the next generation of homebuilding professionals. You could also be finding talented people to fill your job openings, now and in the future. Contact us to find out how you can get involved.

Spreading the Word on Social Media

Throughout the month of October, BTF will be promoting careers in construction on all of our social media channels. We will be sharing pictures from our school and career events, providing information about specific careers, and encouraging people to visit JobsToBuild.com to learn more.

How You Can Help

You can support this effort by promoting careers in construction on your social media channels.

• Watch for our posts, then re-share them as much as possible.

• Showcase your own people and have them share why they enjoy working in construction.

• Use the #CareersInConstructionMonth hashtag, and tag Building Talent Foundation’s and JobsToBuild’s social media channels. Links to our channels are below.

BTF Social Media Channels

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

JobsToBuild Social Media Channels

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

We’ve also created a Careers In Construction Month banner you can use on your social media home pages

• Facebook Cover Image

• Twitter Cover Image

• LinkedIn Cover Image

Visit and Share JobsToBuild.com

JobsToBuild.com is an increasingly important tool in educating young people and career-changers about the opportunities available to them in construction. Besides the thousands of available jobs, it also features a Career Exploration section with information on 30 career pathways, allowing users to explore the many high-demand careers in construction and learn about the career environment, tasks, skill requirements, and salary ranges.

How You Can Help 

Register as an Employer on JobsToBuild, and start posting jobs today!  And if you know someone looking for a job in construction, invite them to visit the site to learn about the various careers, register as a Job Seeker, and create a profile.

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Careers In Construction Month offers a unique opportunity for all of us to spread the word about working in the construction industry. Our goal is to start a groundswell of interest in the sector, attracting more people – from high school students to career-changers – to the industry.

Top Homebuilders Renew their Support to Building Talent Foundation

Behind the success of Building Talent Foundation (BTF) are the residential construction companies who make up the Leading Builders of America (LBA). LBA members collectively established BTF in response to the acute and persistent talent shortage across building trades, and provided the initial investment to launch this national nonprofit.

They support the organization not only through financial donations, but also by partnering with BTF on programs and initiatives that make an impact on the communities where they operate and on the lives of the people who are hired into the homebuilding industry, providing them with new opportunities for rewarding careers.

Many of Our Builder Partners Provide Additional Support

After the initial seed grant, many of the LBA’s builders have provided additional support to BTF. This support has come in the form of financial contributions, as well as active engagement in BTF’s programs in local markets, promotion of BTF’s initiatives and events, and participation on BTF’s Board of Directors and Advisory Council.

Here are some examples of how the LBA companies are collaborating with BTF:

Lennar

Providing an additional, generous grant through their Lennar Foundation, Lennar is helping BTF expand into important markets in California, including Sacramento, Los Angeles, Irvine/Orange County, and San Diego, as well as Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina. They are also helping us scale our presence in existing BTF markets, especially Atlanta, Dallas, and Austin, and have connected BTF with their trade partners in many markets.

We are also working together to grow the impact of the Lennar Foundation’s Residential Construction Job Skills Training programs. These programs have been implemented with many of BTF’s partners, including AMIKids, HomeAid, Florida International University, Miami-Dade College, and Florida Memorial College.

Finally, Marshall Ames, Chairman of the Lennar Foundation, is a member of BTF’s Advisory Council, and provides valuable strategic input to BTF.

Brookfield Residential

Brookfield Residential has pledged to support BTF through specific initiatives over the next three years. This year, they are supporting our expansion into new markets – including California – by facilitating connections with their trade partners, which will allow us to address their talent needs.

Next year, they plan to work with BTF to help their trade partners address important workforce-related challenges, such as talent pipeline diversity. By providing educational content and resources, they will also help trade partners implement employee engagement best practices to improve retention of frontline workers.

In 2024, Brookfield Residential will work with BTF on homebuilding innovation programs, which will help improve their trade partners’ workforce skill resilience.

Brookfield Residential’s CEO & President Alan Norris serves as Treasurer on BTF’s Board of Directors.

Ashton Woods

Cory Boydston, Ashton Woods’ Chief Financial Officer, has been an important partner in helping BTF promote the homebuilding industry to women. She is a champion of our Women Breaking Barriers study, and brought it to the attention of the Women’s Housing Leadership Group.

Adam Weaver, Ashton Woods’ Senior VP of Purchasing has been a key ally in connecting BTF with their national suppliers, as potential social investors in BTF. With his assistance, we are pursuing new partnership opportunities with several large manufacturing companies.

Finally, Ashton Woods has helped us connect with their trade partners in many markets across the country.

Taylor Morrison

In addition to connecting BTF with their preferred trade firms in several markets, Taylor Morrison has been an important partner in improving the diversity of the homebuilding workforce. They collaborate with us on the Women in Construction initiative and are committed to helping veterans and people of color enter the industry. Taylor Morrison has also hosted a BTF Homebuilding Bootcamp in their Tampa division.

Sheryl Palmer, Taylor Morrison’s CEO & President, serves as Chairman of BTF’s Board of Directors, and has been relentless in promoting BTF to all stakeholders in the sector. She has also connected BTF with multiple partnership opportunities with large suppliers in the homebuilding industry.

D.R. Horton

D.R. Horton has renewed its commitment to BTF by sponsoring BTF’s entry into fast growing homebuilding markets, such as Knoxville, Tennessee and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Barak Ross Saltzman, D.R. Horton’s Division CFO, has been a champion of BTF, and his division provided resources for BTF’s expansion into the Knoxville market. In addition, Brad Conlon, VP & Director of National Accounts, has connected BTF to partnership opportunities with key industry suppliers. The company has also connected BTF with their trade partners in many markets.

Pulte

Providing additional financial support through PulteCares, Pulte was also the first to endorse the BTF Homebuilding Bootcamp concept. They collaborated with BTF to pilot the Bootcamp in their Houston division, and hosted another Bootcamp in Jacksonville, Florida.

Pulte has also connected BTF with their trade partners in multiple markets across the U.S.

K. Hovnanian

K. Hovnanian has been a champion of JobsToBuild.com, and Mary Patterson, K. Hovnanian’s VP of Talent Management, was an early adopter, posting the builder’s internal positions on the platform. They have also connected BTF with large manufacturers, their national suppliers, facilitating new sponsorship opportunities.

David Weekley Homes

Along with providing additional financial support through the David Weekley Family Foundation, David Weekley Homes has been a key networking partner for BTF. Mike Humphrey, Advisor to David Weekley Homes, serves on BTF’s Advisory Council and has made connections with large industry suppliers for potential partnerships.

David Weekley Homes Quality Coaches have also connected BTF with their preferred trade partners in many markets. The builder has also hosted training for BTF Engagement Managers at their job sites.

Meritage Homes

Through the Meritage Cares Foundation, Meritage Homes provided additional financial support to BTF. By referring multiple trade partners to participate in the first South Florida Job Fair, Meritage Homes helped establish BTF’s presence in this important market. They are a key collaborator with BTF on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and have connected BTF with their trade partners in several markets.

Tri Pointe Homes

Serving as Secretary on the BTF Board of Directors, Tri Pointe Homes’ CEO & Director Douglas F. Bauer has been and continues to be a great contributor to BTF’s successful growth since our founding three years ago. In addition, Linda Mamet, Tri Pointe Homes’ Chief Marketing Officer, serves on BTF’s Advisory Council and helped shape the BTF marketing strategy.

Tri Pointe Homes is registered as an employer on JobsToBuild.com, and has connected BTF with their trade partners in many markets.

Expressing Our Gratitude

We are grateful to all the members of the Leading Builders of America for their vision and for making BTF possible. In addition, we want to give a special thanks to the individual builders listed above for their additional support. Together, we are all working to develop real solutions to address the acute and persistent talent shortage problem in residential construction.

We also want to invite new sponsors to join us in our mission. When you partner with BTF, you are making a contribution towards creating a sustainable workforce in the homebuilding industry.

But more importantly, you are making a difference in people’s lives. You are helping employers of all sizes fill job openings so they can meet the needs of their customers. You are exposing young people to career paths that they often don’t learn about from teachers and advisors. You are helping people find meaningful work that sustains their families. You are contributing to the diversity of the industry by helping us find jobs for veterans, people of color, women, returning citizens, and other underrepresented groups.

In short, you are helping to make the homebuilding workforce stronger and more sustainable.

We invite you to join us. To learn how you can partner with BTF, contact us.

BTF Partnership Helps Employer Find Talent Through Untapped Sources

For employers in the homebuilding industry, partnering with Building Talent Foundation (BTF) provides them with new sources of talent, focusing on young people and underrepresented groups like veterans, women, and people of color. BTF accomplishes this through deep community engagement, promoting careers in the homebuilding industry and connecting qualified candidates with employers who need talent.

One of those employers is American Builders Supply (ABS) in Florida. As an independent building materials supplier, ABS needs qualified people to help them meet their customers’ demanding construction schedules.

Joe Misiti, Staffing Lead for ABS, says that a partnership with BTF is one of the easiest things an employer can do.

“It’s simple. It’s such an easy relationship to have,” he said. Joe has worked with BTF Engagement Managers like Paola Rivera, to recruit and hire talent for multiple locations in Florida. He said that Paola knows his needs, and that makes hiring easier. “She’s walked the building, she’s toured with us. She knows exactly what I want.”

Because of BTF’s community engagement, Paola and other Engagement Managers find candidates from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented groups. But no matter their background, they’re all ready to be productive on Day One.

Joe said the key to making that happen is his relationship with the BTF Engagement Managers. “We have some service techs that were just hired and they do a great job,” he said. “That comes with Paola paying attention, listening and talking to us.”

He added that Paola will often come to him with candidates that she has pre-screened for specific jobs. “That helps us out a ton,” he said. BTF provides additional assistance by facilitating connections with its education partners like Home Builders Institute, which provides training and education programs for the construction trades.

That additional partnership magnifies Joe’s recruiting capabilities. “[Instead of] two or three people being hired, now it’s like four, six, eight, ten people being hired,” he said.

A partnership is a two-way street, and Joe knows he plays an important part in making it work. He learned quickly that if BTF submits a candidate for a job, he can’t keep that person waiting. “If [BTF] sends me someone on a Monday, and I call them on Wednesday, I’ve lost,” he said. “Time kills deals.”

It all comes down to matching the effort that Paola puts into helping him. He added that BTF Engagement Managers are “100-percent committed” to helping him find people. “Why should I not be 100-percent committed to helping them help me?” Joe said.

As a result of this partnership, Joe has been able to fill his job openings with high-quality people. “They know what they’re doing,” Joe said about the candidates BTF sends him. “They’re almost like plug-and-play. They’re phenomenal.”

Because of the success with ABS, BTF’s relationship is growing. Joe is facilitating a partnership between BTF and ABS’s parent company, Kodiak, which has 92 locations in 22 states.

Joe also said that having BTF on his side also makes finding and hiring people faster and easier. “It definitely saves me time and money, and it’s such an easy relationship to have,” he said, adding that he recommends that any employer in residential construction works with BTF.

“Utilize BTF as much as you can, because [they] have a ton to offer.”

BTF Assembles a Team of Partners to Provide New Career Paths to Low-Income Residents

In June, BTF brought three of its longtime partners together to collaborate on a pilot training and hiring event that has already made a lasting impact on the lives its participants and their communities. It also promises to help address the talent shortage in professional painting contractors, one of the key trades for residential construction.

The training portion of the event featured curriculum and trainers from Sherwin-Williams’ HomeWork program, as well as educational video content provided by the Painting Contractors Association, with support from Sherwin-Williams.

The event was attended by 11 San Antonio residents, including San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) participants. It culminated in a hiring event that connected students to new job opportunities with various painting contractors referred to the program by BTF, SAHA, PCA, and Lennar, one of BTF’s founding partners.

The event was shown to be an effective way to close the talent gap in professional painting. Based on that success, the four partners will repeat the event in San Antonio, and BTF, Sherwin-Williams, and PCA will replicate it throughout the country.

Collaborative Effort

Sherwin-Williams, a global leader in delivering paint and coatings products to the world, supported the event with its HomeWork training program, providing classroom time and real-world painting curriculum, tools and equipment. The company has trained nearly 8,000 students since they launched the HomeWork program in 2004. Sherwin-Williams supported the event by donating painting supplies to each of the students so after graduation, they would be ready to start new jobs immediately.

The Painting Contractors Association (PCA), which supports more than 300,000 painting contractors in North America, provided video learning content for the training, which is supported by Sherwin-Williams. The PCA also produced a video of the event, which will be used to promote the pilot program in other markets.

SAHA’s mission is to provide low-income residents of San Antonio access to affordable housing and social services, with the ultimate goal of creating thriving communities. The non-profit organization provides housing assistance to more than 57,000 low-income residents, almost half of which are children.

As host of the event, SAHA provided the classroom facility as well as two apartments where students could apply what they learned and paint the interiors. SAHA and BTF worked together to recruit students from among the housing authority’s residents and the greater San Antonio area.

All of the organizations worked together to bring in three San Antonio area painting contractors to interview and hire students into full-time jobs. In addition, Lennar, one of BTF’s founding partners, also referred a painting contractor.

“Having all these companies work together is what made this event a success,” said Jenna Garcia, Engagement Manager for BTF who coordinated the event. “It shows what you can achieve with a collaborative effort.”

An Outstanding Achievement

The program was designed to give participants the basic knowledge they need to start careers as professional painters. It covered everything from the basics of paint, how to apply it efficiently, job site safety, and equipment.

The graduates earned a certificate under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Renovation, Repair and Painting program. The fact that all participants passed is an outstanding achievement, according to Wayne Seymour, Commercial Class Instructor for Sherwin-Williams. “They left the program able to finish a project and make it look better than it did when they went in there,” he said.

Starting Anew

BTF is a longtime partner with SAHA. Prior to this event Garcia worked with SAHA to organize five hiring events to connect their participants – as well as other low-income residents of San Antonio – to job opportunities in the homebuilding trades. To date, Garcia has placed 26 attendees from those events into new jobs.

According to Joel Tabar, Director of Community Development Initiatives for SAHA, the collaborative training and hiring event was a perfect fit because it offered residents a chance to start again with new careers. “When you think about painting, you think about renewal,” Tabar said. “For our residents that is what they're trying to do. They're trying to start anew.”

Students Land Jobs

Students left the event knowing how to paint, but more importantly, they saw the long-term opportunities professional painting holds. “Learning the basics of these skills will allow me to have a better job, better opportunities, and better benefits,” said LuCretia Wilson, a student in the program, adding that she saw even more possibilities, including eventually starting her own business.

According to Garcia, the event has allowed many of the students to land full-time jobs. Of the 11 students, six students were offered jobs with local painting contractors, and another five were interviewed and are awaiting offers.

Garcia was extremely happy with the results of the program. “In just one week, we were able to help these people get the training they needed to start new careers,” she said. “It was extremely exciting to be a part of an event that was the first of its kind, with many more to come.”

BTF at SkillsUSA

The annual SkillsUSA Championships showcase the best vocational and technical education students in the country. BTF sent a group to the 2022 event in Atlanta, where they were able to form connections with the next generation of home builders.

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BTF Opens Myrtle Beach

Expanding our presence in the Southeast with the support of D.R. Horton, BTF has added Myrtle Beach, S.C., to the list of markets we serve.

This new market not only brings the number of states BTF serves to seven, but also is the first market opened in the Carolinas. With areas like Charlotte and Raleigh expanding rapidly, BTF is looking to grow its presence in this important region.

The Myrtle Beach market will be led by Doug Obenour, who joins BTF as the Engagement Manger. Read more about Doug here.

Employee Engagement is Foundational to Creating a Sustainable Workforce

The talent shortage in the residential construction sector will continue to be a challenge for builders and contractors to meet demand, irrespective of current market conditions. But employers can prevent the shortage from worsening by focusing on employee engagement to retain more of their best people and avoid turnover.

That was one of the key conclusions of the 2021 Homebuilding Workforce Engagement Study, which was released this week. It was conducted jointly by the Building Talent Foundation (BTF) and the Oxford Centre for Employee Engagement (OCFEE), and was sponsored by the Leading Builders of America with additional support from the Home Builders Institute, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, and many other organizations.

In the face of such a severe and persistent talent shortage, employee turnover is an expensive problem. The cost of losing just one employee can be as high as $15,000 for expenses relating to separation, replacement, training, and lost productivity.

But the actual cost is much more than that, says Branka Minic, CEO of BTF. “Our research showed that the people who are at the greatest retention risk are between the ages of 25 and 44,” she said. Most of these individuals, she added, have been trained and are building their skills, and are positioned to replaced employees who retire. They are the future of the workforce.

“When you lose these mid-career employees, you not only lose people who are good at their jobs, but also people who will train the next generation,” Minic continued. “To ensure the transfer of valuable knowledge, we must work hard to retain our skilled talent.”

That magnifies the importance of retention. Recruiting new people into the industry is important, and BTF is dedicated to helping employers fill their job openings. But recruiting mostly fills entry-level jobs. Employers still need to retain the people they have.

Employee Engagement Helps Retention

The 2021 Homebuilding Workforce Engagement Study examined employee engagement in the homebuilding industry, the factors that affect it, and the role it plays in employee retention. It focused on frontline workers employed at residential construction jobsites.

The study found that engagement played an important part in employees’ decision to stay in or leave their jobs, or even the construction industry itself. Retention factors related to engagement – specifically career advancement, skill development, and the quality of their immediate supervisors’ leadership skills – weighed more heavily than compensation.

“This shows that prioritizing engagement, and providing upskilling, career pathways, and well-trained supervisors, will help companies keep good people,” Minic said. “Engaged employees are also more productive, dedicated and happier. Put simply, companies with an engaged workforce are more successful.”

What Employers Can Do

As a result of this survey, BTF is actively developing several initiatives aimed at helping employers improve employee engagement. These initiatives include raising awareness of this study’s results, providing greater access to training resources, facilitating best practice sharing and peer-to-peer learning, and offering career coaching.

In the immediate term, employers can take steps to improve their employee engagement. These steps include:

• Provide leadership training for supervisors

• Make sure supervisors understand and support employees’ motivations, and communicate effectively

• Allow and encourage employees to take advantage of opportunities for advancement and upskilling

• Foster a positive, team-centric atmosphere and culture in which team members are encouraged to learn from each other

• Provide time and resources for employees to pursue professional and skill development

For many companies, especially smaller companies that make up the majority of the residential construction industry, this may seem difficult. They may not have the resources or a dedicated human resources department to focus on engagement. Fortunately, there are many training modules, tools, and other resources available online at low or no cost.

For trade employers working tirelessly just to meet demand, focusing on employee engagement may seem like a luxury they cannot afford. But Minic said it will pay off.

“When your people are engaged in their work, they are more productive, dedicated, and reliable,” said Minic. “When they’re engaged they stay. When they’re not engaged, they’re at a high risk of leaving.”

Focusing on employee engagement will benefit employers in the short term and will help the industry as a whole in the long term. As more people are happy and growing in their careers, the building industry will gradually develop a reputation for offering rewarding, viable careers, which will in turn help recruitment of new talent into the sector.

“The time to invest in engagement is now,” Minic concluded. “Our industry is already investing heavily in recruiting and training new talent, and those efforts will be twice as effective once the sector is better at engaging and retaining its workers.”

To read the full results of the 2021 Homebuilding Workforce Engagement Study, download the full report.

BTF Gives Returning Citizens a Second Chance

Hiring Events are BTF’s best practice for connecting job seekers to employers

Ernest Reagan needed someone who would believe in him.

After getting out of the Navy, he was working in lawncare and was beginning a new career driving trucks for a logistics company. But an unfortunate turn of events led to his short-term incarceration.

After serving his time, Ernest was eager to get back to work. He saw it as a fresh start and a chance to prove himself. But finding work proved difficult, as no one was willing look past his history.

This would change, however, when he participated in a Second Chance Hiring Event, where he met Engagement Manager Jonathan Karg. Just two weeks later, Jonathan was able to place Ernest into a position as a delivery driver with a local employer partner in Knoxville.

Ernest said he doesn’t know if he would have ever found work without the help of Jonathan and Building Talent Foundation. “I was still trying to recover and reassociate back into the workforce, which was very difficult for me to do,” he said. “Building Talent Foundation provided an open field to find employment and was extremely helpful in providing me with opportunities that were simply not showing themselves to me.”

Untapped Source

Citizens returning to the workforce after incarceration are a major untapped source of labor for employers. Many of these individuals are nonviolent offenders who just want an opportunity to show that they are not defined by their past.

Recognizing this, Building Talent Foundation partners with several organizations to find ways to help returning citizens find meaningful employment in the residential construction industry. In Knoxville, the American Job Center invited BTF to attend their Re-Entry Hiring Event.

From that event alone, Jonathan was able to place 11 candidates – including Ernest – with employer partners in the area. All but one of those candidates are still working with the initial placing employer.

BTF is also partnering with the Florida Masonry Apprentice & Education Foundation on similar initiatives.

According to Branka Minic, CEO of Building Talent Foundation, these partnerships are just the beginning. “We will continue to work hard to find opportunities for returning citizens to find gainful work in construction,” she said. “When we can do that, everyone wins – the individuals, the employers, the industry, and society.”

Paying it Forward

While placing returning citizens with employers clearly helps the residential construction industry address the labor shortage, the benefits don’t stop there. Giving people a second chance often has a ripple effect that goes far beyond the individual.

Ernest plans to use his experience and his story to help change the lives of individuals looking for second chance opportunities and hopes to find an opportunity to volunteer to mentor these individuals.

But more than anything, Ernest said he is grateful to Jonathan and BTF for believing in him when few others would. “Thank you, Jonathan, for providing me with a chance to succeed and contribute,” he said.

BTF Expands to Atlanta

We have added Atlanta to the list of markets BTF serves. This brings the number of states in which BTF is active to six, as we continue to grow and help job-seekers and employers in residential construction.

The Atlanta market will be led by Derrick Henderson, who joins BTF as the Engagement Manger.

Derrick Henderson

Prior to joining BTF, Derrick worked in human resources, and was directly responsible for organizational growth and success through recruiting, training and development, onboarding, employee relations, and performance management. Derrick has also served in the Georgia Army National Guard, and holds a BS in political science from Columbus State University in Columbus, GA, and MPA in Management and Finance from Georgia State University.l your story online can make all the difference.