Technical Education Can Lead to a Fulfilling Career
Promising Career Prospects
Baby boomers currently fill many trade jobs. According to a recent Home Builders Institute report, a substantial portion of the construction labor market could retire in the near future. That means job prospects for CTE students are promising, especially in residential construction. According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data and analysis by NAHB, the number of residential construction jobs available in November 2022 was 388,000
Avoid Crushing College Debt
For many individuals, the high cost of college outweighs the benefits. In the 2020-2021 school year, more than half of bachelor’s degree recipients from public and private nonprofit four-year colleges and universities graduated with debt and had an average debt level of $29,100, according to the College Board’s Trends in Student Aid 2022 report. Technical education offers an alternative to the four-year college track without the burden of sky-high student loan debt. And there are numerous “earn while you learn” apprenticeships available, so you don’t have to wait to complete a training program to generate income.
Apply for a Skilled Trades Scholarship
Through its Charitable & Educational Foundation, HBA of Southeastern Michigan has established the HBA Skilled Trades Scholarship Fund. It is open to people who are between the ages of 18 and 25, and are pursuing a construction career either as a direct hire OR through post-high school trades training or earning a 2-year college degree in the area of construction. Scholarships may include:
- Money for tools, specialized clothing, gear or safety equipment and/or transportation to an individual employed at a residential builder or subcontractor
- Money for fees and expenses at a post-secondary construction trades school (such as Southeastern Michigan Construction Academy, and others).
- Money for fees and expenses at a 2-year college construction or construction trades program
Apply Online At:
www.builders.org/foundation/skilled-trades-scholarship/
If you have questions about applying for an HBA Skilled Trades Scholarship or if you wish to donate to the HBA Charitable & Educational Foundation – a 501(c) (3) charity – please call HBA offices at: 248-862-1016.
