Building Talent Foundation and Hearth & Home Technologies Partner to Promote Careers in Fireplace Installation

(Washington, DC, and Lakeville, MN) November 11, 2024 — Building Talent Foundation and Hearth & Home Technologies are excited to announce a strategic collaboration to promote career pathways for young adults and career changers in the skilled trades, with a special emphasis on the high-demand field of fireplace installation.

Hearth & Home Technologies will engage with Building Talent Foundation’s JobsToBuild platform by sponsoring a career exploration page specifically dedicated to fireplace installation. This resource will offer insights into training programs, safety protocols, and opportunities for advancement, equipping job seekers with the information needed to pursue this fulfilling career path.

This partnership aims to address the acute and persistent shortage of fireplace installers by providing relevant career guidance, training resources, and job opportunities to unemployed youth and adults. Combining Hearth & Home Technologies’ deep industry knowledge and Building Talent Foundation’s established network of education and employer partners nationwide, the two organizations will work together to inspire job-ready individuals to consider careers in fireplace installation, connect them with on-the-job training and employment opportunities, thus benefiting job seekers and the employers who need their skills.

“We are excited to welcome Hearth & Home Technologies as our Champion and Social Investor. Partnering with Hearth & Home Technologies is a pivotal step in promoting specialized careers like fireplace installation. Together, we’re empowering people to pursue meaningful work that supports their personal and professional growth, while strengthening the industry,” stated Branka Minic, the CEO of Building Talent Foundation.

Sarah Wellcome, Senior Vice President of Member & Community Relations at Hearth & Home Technologies, added, “We are proud to guide individuals toward rewarding careers in skilled trades, especially in areas like fireplace installation where expertise is crucial. Partnering with Building Talent Foundation helps us to expand our reach deeper into communities where we operate, and to strengthen the talent pipeline towards our trade partners.”

For more details, visit www.BuildingTF.org and www.hearthnhome.com.

About Building Talent Foundation

Building Talent Foundation (BTF) is a national non-profit organization founded by the Leading Builders of America, to address the acute and persistent talent shortage across residential construction. Building Talent Foundation's mission is to advance the education, training, and career progression of young people and people from underrepresented groups, helping them develop into skilled technical workers and business owners in residential construction.

A key resource brought by BTF to industry and community partners is the JobsToBuild career platform, an innovative online tool designed to connect job seekers with career opportunities in the construction industry. JobsToBuild also offers career exploration and access to local training programs for youth and career changers, inspired to succeed in the construction sector.

For more information visit www.BuildingTF.org, www.JobsToBuild.com, and follow Building Talent Foundation on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram.

About Hearth & Home Technologies

Hearth & Home Technologies® (HHT) is the nation's leading manufacturer and installer of hearth products, including a full array of gas, electric, wood, and pellet-burning fireplaces, inserts, stoves, and fire tables. Headquartered in Lakeville, Minnesota, with distribution around the world, HHT operates USA-based manufacturing facilities and provides engineering design, installation training, and retail sales locations for builders and consumers. Our partnership with a wide network of distribution partners creates thousands of job opportunities in the industry, allowing individuals to work with Hearth & Home Technologies or through our many distribution partners. Committed to innovation, we prioritize high-quality products and expert installations designed to enhance warmth, comfort, and connection in every home.

For more information, please visit www.hearthnhome.com.

Media Contact:

Contact: Syreeta Ziegler, MarCom Manager, Building Talent Foundation
Email: syreeta.ziegler@buildingtf.org  Phone: 770.990.9080

Building Talent Foundation and Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Announce Strategic Collaboration to Promote Careers in Construction

A Collaborative Effort to Enhance Education, Training, and Employment Opportunities for Job Seekers with Hispanic Businesses in the Construction Industry

Washington, D.C., Florida, - October 14, 2024 – Building Talent Foundation (BTF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the education, training, and career progression of youth and people from underrepresented groups in the residential construction industry, and the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FSHCC), a leading nonprofit association dedicated to promoting the economic advancement of Florida’s Hispanic business community for over two decades, are proud to announce a collaboration. The partnership was brokered by a key member of each nonprofit, Lennar, one of the nation’s leading homebuilders, which saw symmetry between the two organization’s initiatives.  This new partnership will support the growth of Hispanic construction companies with a new source of qualified skilled workers.

As of 2023, Hispanics make up approximately 34% of the national construction workforce, but in Florida, this percentage is significantly higher, reaching about 59%. This reflects the vital role Hispanic workers play in the state’s construction industry where it stands as the third largest industry for Hispanic employment. Building Talent Foundation actively works to connect job seekers with opportunities in the construction industry. Building Talent Foundation helps ensure that individuals from all backgrounds have access to stable careers and growth in this essential field.

This partnership underscores the significant role the Hispanic community and businesses play in the growth and sustainability of homebuilding. Through this initiative, Building Talent Foundation and Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce are committed to enhancing workforce diversity and providing resources to support the long-term success of both job seekers and employers.

Lennar is one of the Leading Builders of America that founded Building Talent Foundation, with the goal to build a sustainable workforce in homebuilding. Jeremy Susac, Vice President of Government Affairs stated, “Lennar truly appreciates the leadership and focus of both the FSCC and Building Talent Foundation. We applaud the strategic alliance between BTF for the betterment of Florida’s construction industry.”

Branka Minic, CEO of Building Talent Foundation, expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration: “We’re excited to work with Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to fuel the growth of Hispanic firms in the construction industry and empower youth to become homebuilders,” said Branka Minic, CEO of Building Talent Foundation. “This partnership strengthens our commitment to bridging the talent gap by connecting job seekers with career opportunities.”

Julio Fuentes, President, and CEO of FSHCC, also commented on the collaboration: “This collaboration with Building Talent Foundation is a crucial step in helping our members strengthen their teams. By working together, we will impact both Hispanic businesses and communities in Florida.”

The collaboration is set to commence immediately, with both organizations committed to leveraging their resources and expertise to create a meaningful impact in the state of Florida. For more information about the Building Talent Foundation and the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, please visit their websites at www.buildingtf.org and www.fshcc.com.

Media Contact:

Contact: Syreeta Ziegler, MarCom Manager, Building Talent Foundation
Email: syreeta.ziegler@buildingtf.org  Phone: 770.990.9080

Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Email: info@fshcc.com
Phone: 561-513-8096

About Building Talent Foundation:

Building Talent Foundation (BTF) is a national non-profit organization founded by the Leading Builders of America, to address the acute and persistent talent shortage across residential construction. Building Talent Foundation's mission is to advance the education, training, and career progression of young people and people from underrepresented groups, helping them develop into skilled technical workers and business owners in residential construction.

A key resource brought by BTF to industry and community partners is the JobsToBuild career platform, an innovative online tool designed to connect job seekers with career opportunities in the construction industry. JobsToBuild also offers career exploration and access to local training programs for youth and career changers, inspired to succeed in the construction sector.”

For more information visit www.BuildingTF.org, www.JobsToBuild.com, and follow Building Talent Foundation on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram.

About Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce                                                                                   

The Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit association committed to promoting the economic advancement of Florida’s Hispanic business community, improving the quality of life for every Hispanic in Florida.