Judie Docs, Executive Officer, North Coast Building Industry Association (NCBIA), CSP, MCSP, CGP, CMP, MIRM
The North Coast Building Industry Association (NCBIA) participated in SkillsUSA National Signing Day which took place Wednesday, May 8th at the Lorain County Joint Vocational School. Celebrating nineteen seniors who have chosen to pursue a career as a professional in the skilled trades and signed agreements with local companies for employment.
This inaugural nationwide program recognized students at hundreds of SkillsUSA chapter high schools across the country for their dedication to pursue a career in residential wiring, building trades and renovations, HVAC or plumbing.
Dennis Willis of ActionCOACH and member of the NCBIA was one of the featured speakers emphasizing that the building trades offer a great career path. Providing opportunities for students to learn a craft that will produce life-long career opportunities. There is ample opportunity for motivated students seeking a rewarding career path that offers high job satisfaction.
At a time when countless college graduates are finding they are underemployed and saddled with crushing student debt, it is time for educators and policymakers to reexamine the widely held belief that a college degree represents the only road to success.
The home building industry offers more than just another job – you can find a rewarding career and earn a great salary. The top 25% in most construction trade professions earn at least $60,000 annually. And you don’t need to follow the traditional college path to get there.
As the nationwide housing recovery continues to pick up steam (and I am happy to say this area has increased substantially), it is imperative that America trains more workers and leaders in the construction industry. The number of open construction sector jobs in March was 147,000, the third-highest monthly total since the Great Recession ended, according to the latest Board of Labor Statistics data.
The residential construction industry is one of the few sectors where demand for new workers is rising, and the housing industry is working diligently to meet this challenge. As the housing market continues to strengthen, home builders across the country and in our area are seeking skilled workers – such as carpenters, framers and roofers – to help them build the American Dream.
To meet the housing needs of a growing population, attitudes must change. We sincerely appreciate the parents, teachers, counselors and students that understand and believe that a vocational education is just as worthwhile as a conventional four-year college and that both routes offer satisfying career paths and financial gains. Academic institutions can aid in this effort by funding and promoting more two- and four-year programs that cater to students interested in construction management and the building trades.
The North Coast Building Industry Association is your local not-for-profit trade association representing member companies involved in all aspects of home building, remodeling, and other aspects of services available to help you in the future as well as more information on the above topic. So, you can see it is for your protection that you use a NCBIA member. If you are unsure that your contractor is a member of the NCBIA or you are looking for a list of NCBIA members, you can visit our website at www.ncbia.com or call 440-934-1090. We also have a job posting board (under the Industry tab).
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Homeownership is truly a cornerstone of the American way of life. North Coast Building Industry – Come Build with Us!