Workforce Development
Workforce Development Task Force
The Workforce Development Task Force is comprised of BIAW members, staff, interested parties, and educators from around Washington state.
The task force focuses on filling the labor shortage gap, the lack of general education and vocational training in the education sector. The task force holds monthly conference calls to continue discussing how to battle the skilled trades labor shortage in residential construction.
The Workforce Development Task Force Chair is BIAW Past President and Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties member Darylene Dennon.
Scholarship & Funding Grants
Since its inception, BIAW has awarded over $670,000 in scholarships and grants. They provide scholarships to students who have demonstrated a passion and commitment to developing a career in the home building industry. They also offer grants to organizations with programs in construction-related fields of study, residential construction career training, continuing education, apprenticeship, and skills assessment services, and technical training programs educating tomorrow’s home builders.
The 2022 scholarship and grant application period is now closed.
Scholarship Application
Who Should Apply?
- Washington state residents only
- Students who will be applying to any Washington state accredited community, vocational/technical college, or university
- Students who can demonstrate a need for additional funding to complete their programs in construction industry-related fields of study
Application Deadline and Notification
All applications must be postmarked by May 2, 2022. The selection committee plans to make its
decision in early June. All applicants will be mailed notice of their final status shortly after
decisions are made.
Grant Application
Who Should Apply?
Organizations requesting funding for programs in a construction industry-related field of
study (including but not limited to: construction career training, continuing education,
apprenticeship programs, skills assessment programs).
Funding Grant Deadline and Notification
All applications must be postmarked by May 2, 2022. The selection committee plans to make
its decision in early June. All applicants will be mailed notice of their final status shortly after
decisions are made.
Find or Post Jobs for Free
BIAW members may post job openings and connect with interested workers for free by joining our job board, powered by Companywide. Companywide helps construction workers build their careers and document their knowledge, and helps construction companies hire quality tradespeople by creating an easy-to-use online hiring platform.
- Members: Unlimited free job posts and hiring, including full time, part-time, and contract hiring capability
- Tradespeople: Search for construction jobs in your area and across the country
- Teachers and students: School counselors, teachers, and advisors can assist students with job readiness; students can connect with job fairs and post profiles/resumes to be job-ready at graduation.
Workforce Development Resources
Workforce Development coordinates and supports member and local association efforts to recruit more people into residential construction trades.
The residential construction industry has not fully recovered from labor shortages since the 2007 recession. Labor and subcontractor shortages remained widespread and are continuing to impact the industry in several ways. Simultaneously, the student debt load from a traditional four-year path, pushed by educators, parents, and society, has risen sharply. With vocational training removed from classrooms and a lack of trade education, it is time to present construction jobs as viable alternatives.
BIAW provides resources for apprenticeships, job placements, job postings, and hiring veterans. For more information on resources, click the button below.
Learn MoreHome Builders Institute (HBI)
NAHB’s nonprofit partner, HBI, is a national leader for career training in the building industry. It provides students the skills and experience they need for successful careers through pre-apprenticeship training, job placement services, mentoring, certification programs, textbooks, and curricula.
With an 80% job placement rate for graduates, HBI training programs are taught in local communities across the country to youth, veterans, displaced workers, and other underserved populations.
HBI training programs do more than provide job skills; they also build character and self-esteem, providing students with the skills they need to succeed on the job and in life.
Learn MorePartnerships
BIAW is proud to partner and provides support with the following organizations:
- Home Builders Insititute (HBI)
- Hockinson High School
- Tumwater High School
- Washington Association for Career and Technical Education
- Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County
- Habitat for Humanity South Puget Sound
- Habitat for Humanity-Spokane
If you would like to learn more about partnering with BIAW, please contact BIAW Workforce Development Manager Al Audette below.
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