ORLANDO, Fla. (May 25, 2021) – The construction industry faces a shortfall of 200,000 workers, according to a new report released by the Home Builders Institute (HBI).
“The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) is acutely aware of the problem. We have supported training programs such as Future Builders of America (FBA) that educates and motivates young, future leaders in the construction industry,” noted FGBC President Bill Kachman.
HBI recently acquired the programming, assets, and trademark of the FBA. FBA was launched in 2003 by the Florida Home Builders Association.
The first-ever HBI Construction Labor Market Report notes that shortages of skilled trade workers directly employed by home builders and subcontractors remain widespread throughout all regions.
Kachman and FGBC President Elect Ralph Locke have volunteered at the FBA Annual Leadership Summit. They teach green building, introduce career opportunities and leadership skills critical to the construction industry. FGBC is also a sponsor of the summit.
Builders cite the difficulty in filling positions as among their top concerns, ranking third behind high lumber prices and regulatory burdens.
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) has also announced the launch of the Green Buildings Career Map, an interactive career map highlighting the breadth of rewarding career opportunities in building energy efficiency.
The Green Buildings Career Map features 55 jobs in energy efficiency for buildings across four different industry sectors, as well as over 300 potential advancement routes—all developed with input from industry subject matter experts.
“By helping interested job seekers learn about quality jobs related to energy efficiency in buildings, the Green Buildings Career Map can foster a robust and inclusive pipeline of qualified workers to meet employer demand,” said Locke.
The Map was supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Office, in partnership with the Building Performance Association (BPA), Community Action Partnership (CAP), Home Builders Institute, Building Performance Institute, and National Institute of Building Sciences.
HBI is the nation’s largest provider of training for skilled workers for the residential construction industry. The nonprofit trains approximately 10,000 students each year through an industry recognized curriculum in 220 sites around the U.S., including in high schools, military bases, community colleges, prisons, training facilities and Job Corps centers.
“The Green Buildings Career Map will raise awareness about the diversity of meaningful career options in energy efficiency,” noted Kachman. “This is crucially important to sustaining the rapid growth of this important industry and ensuring the benefits of employment in this sector are accessible to more people. Energy efficiency is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country.”
FGBC launched the first statewide post-secondary scholarship program in 2016 for deserving students pursuing careers in the green built environment or related sustainability studies.
The non-profit FGBC brought together industry professionals from the construction, government, academic and research communities to create green building standards tailored specifically to Florida. FGBC is by far the largest certifier of green residential and commercial construction, local governments, communities in the state with over 25,000 green certified projects since 2000.
Going Green? In Florida you have a choice. Contact the Florida Green Building Coalition at info@floridagreenbuilding.org, visit www.floridagreenbuilding.org or call (407) 777-4914.
About the Florida Green Building Coalition
The Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) is a nonprofit 501(C)3 Florida corporation founded in 2000 and dedicated to improving the built environment. Its mission is “to lead and promote sustainability with environmental, economic, and social benefits through regional education and certification programs.” FGBC certification programs are the only standards developed with climate specific criteria to address issues caused by Florida’s hot-humid environment and natural disasters. Currently, FGBC is the leading certifier of green projects in Florida. FGBC’s membership is comprised of individuals and businesses from all areas of the building industry, including research, design, materials, products, construction, inspection, marketing, finance, and public advocates. For more information about the FGBC “Florida Green” certification programs visit www.floridagreenbuilding.org.
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