The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) Washington Home Builders Foundation (WHBF) awarded $60,000 in scholarships and grants to support students and workforce development programs across Washington state.

The foundation awarded six scholarships to students pursuing careers related to residential construction, engineering and the skilled trades.

"We’re proud to support the next generation of homebuilders," said WHBF Chair Corey Condron. "Whether they are pursuing careers in engineering, construction management or the skilled trades, these students will help address our state's workforce shortage and build stronger communities for generations to come."

2026 WHBF Scholarship Recipients

Connor Banta, Gonzaga University, Mechanical Engineering

“I hope to be able to help the people who share the world with me through building and constructing the tools and places that are used all across society in everyday life,” Banta said.

Molly Malone, Washington State University, Civil Engineering

“Ever since I can remember I have loved math,” Malone said. “Since coming to college, I’ve got to really dive deeper into math itself, and how it relates to me. Now, taking my first-ever Civil Engineering course, I can clearly see how math relates to what I dream of becoming.”

Evan Sturdivant, University of Washington, Engineering

“Growing up, I was drawn to building things,” Sturdivant said. “There is something uniquely satisfying about walking away from a project and being able to point to something physical and say, ‘I helped make that.’ That instinct has shown up repeatedly throughout my life, and it is what ultimately led me toward engineering and the construction industry.”

Leticia Ramirez-Espinoza, Bellingham Technical College, Welding

“My interest began during my sophomore year on Career Day, when two welders visited my school and introduced us to the trade,” Ramirez-Espinoza said. “Their presentation introduced me to the technical skills, safety practices, and career opportunities within the field. These experiences sparked my curiosity, and I was excited to learn that my high school offers metalworking classes. I enrolled in my junior year, and it turned out to be a life-changing decision and confirmed my enthusiasm for welding.”

Jaden Allison, Carpenters Training Center, Carpentry Apprenticeship Program

“I hope to focus on becoming a cabinet maker, where I can use my skills and creativity to build quality pieces that people will use in their homes for years to come,” Allison said.

Bryan Sheedy, Washington State University, Construction Management

“My future plans and career goals are first to graduate from Washington State University with a degree in construction management, then I would like to try and work under my dad … to gain as much experience as I can,” Sheedy said. “Next I want to try and focus my work on smart homes/buildings, passive home and net zero homes/building.”

In addition to student scholarships, WHBF awarded grants to four educational programs that are helping train and inspire the next generation of construction professionals.
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2026 Educational Program Grant Recipients

Kitsap Building Association Foundation:

The Builder Grant Program is a workforce development and job placement initiative serving young adults ages 18–24 in Kitsap County. The program is designed for young adults who are exploring career pathways outside of a traditional four-year college route and who seek hands-on learning and direct connections to local employers in the building and  construction trades. Participants complete an application and interview process and are then matched with a local trades company based on their interests and career goals. Participants receive paid, on-the-job training, hands-on instruction in trade skills, and mentorship from experienced KBA & Foundation member professionals. The program provides participants with real-world experience, industry exposure, and the confidence needed to enter a living-wage career.

Quilcene School District Construction Trades Program

The Construction Trades Program provides students with an introduction to the construction industry and foundational construction skills. Students learn to follow safety protocols, to use, clean and store tools appropriately, and to apply construction knowledge to projects. Students engage with construction measurement, explore print reading, expand their knowledge of common construction materials and fasteners, and learn the basics of foundations and framing. Students develop skills associated with managing a project, including applying construction math to calculate estimates, developing a schedule for a project, and closing out a project.

Community Works/Puget Sound Voyaging Society

Community Works was started as the Puget Sound Voyaging Society more than 20 years ago to provide experiential learning through maritime programs. Over the years, the group expanded its vision of experiential learning for young people, adding training in construction alongside intergenerational mentorship that develops life skills like communication, time management, and problem solving.
Community Works requested funding for 12 young people to participate in their three-month internship program that blends leadership, teaching, and organizational skills with technical woodworking expertise. This offers local workforce development, contributing to local economic growth while helping young people chart a better future for themselves.

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) Residential Construction Academy

The SPSCC Residential Construction Academy uses Home Builders Institute (HBI) curriculum to provide hands-on training that prepares individuals for careers in residential construction while helping strengthen the workforce needed to build housing in our region. Through real-world building experience, students develop the skills, confidence and industry knowledge needed to enter the skilled trades. The SPSCC Residential Construction Academy provides students with real-world experience and industry-relevant training, including:

• Carpentry fundamentals
• Framing and residential building practices
• Job site safety and OSHA standards
• Tool use and construction techniques
• Teamwork and project-based learning

Students work alongside instructors and industry professionals to gain practical skills that prepare them to enter the workforce with confidence.

Graduates gain access to:

• Pathways to family-wage careers in the trades
• Industry connections and mentorship
• Practical experience valued by employers

Washington's homebuilding industry faces an ongoing shortage of skilled workers. Through scholarships, grants and workforce development initiatives, WHBF works to ensure students and job seekers have opportunities to explore rewarding careers in residential construction.

Since its inception, the Washington Home Builders Foundation has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in workforce development, scholarships and educational programs that strengthen the residential construction industry throughout Washington state.

About the Washington Home Builders Foundation

The Washington Home Builders Foundation is the charitable arm of the Building Industry Association of Washington. The foundation promotes careers in the residential construction industry through scholarships, workforce development initiatives, educational grants and community outreach programs. Learn more at BIAW.com.

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