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.