Future Builders of America
Future Builders of America:
Learn, Lead and Succeed in a Home Building Career
By Jade Bulecza
Did you know there are more than 100 different types of jobs within Florida’s construction industry? The vast employment opportunities within Florida’s construction industry offer Floridians the opportunity to put their skills and their interest to work – and high wages are among the many rewards.
According to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, there are more than 13,500 jobs available in Florida’s building industry. Given that construction is Florida’s second largest economic engine – pumping more than $65 billion into the economy – it’s vital that we develop a strong, skilled workforce to help fill these positions.
Thanks to many visionary members of the Florida Home Builders Foundation (FHB Foundation), the Future Builders of America (FBA) will play a strong role in supplying Florida’s future construction workforce. That’s because FBA links high school students interested in the construction industry careers with the local building community.
Through FBA Chapters, students receive construction guidance and training, attend state and national building conferences and field trips, hear from talented construction professionals, and have the opportunity to earn summer and post-graduation employment as well as college scholarships.
“The Florida Home Builders Association implemented the Future Builders of America program three years ago to attract and train students for a rewarding career in the construction industry,” said Michael Rahn, FHB Foundation Chair and Florida Home Builders Association Second Vice President. “Through the Future Builders of America program, we provide students valuable housing-related educational opportunities that in-turn offer long-term rewards.”
In just three short years, the Future Builders of America program has developed 50 Chapters throughout Florida with more than 1,300 students participating. Additionally, students attend the annual FBA Summer Camp which provides the students with real-life construction and leadership training as well as camaraderie and fun activities. They also attend the International Builders Show, the largest construction industry trade show, and the Southeast Building Conference, the largest regional trade show in the Southeast.
And the future is looking even brighter. In 2006, thanks to the generosity of FHBA Past President Robert Harper and wife Amy, a 500-acre tract of pristine North Florida land was purchased and it will soon serve as home for the FBA Training Center.
“We’ve taken a huge leap forward since the program started in 2003,” said Rahn. “Just two years ago we served 90 students and now more than 1,300 students are participating from the Florida Panhandle to Miami. What’s even more exciting is that the 10 other states have caught the FBA fever and they’re anxiously waiting to come aboard.”
Because FBA Chapters are linked with a local home builders association (HBA), FHBA members play a strong role in the overall success of FBA. Local HBAs are encouraged to partner with their local schools to help develop FBA Chapters, and to help give students a real world understanding of what it means to be a home builder.
High schools with an existing technical education program, like biotechnology, communications technology, manufacturing technology, transportation technology, and construction technology, are eligible to establish FBA Chapters. Often times, these technical education instructors become the FBA Chapter Advisor – working directly with the local HBA to help the Chapter blossom into a strong educational opportunity.
With your participation, the Future Builders of America can help students learn, lead and succeed in a home building career – and Florida’s construction industry will be better for it. For more information on Future Builders of America, visit www.futurebuildersofamerica.org.
|
Seabreeze High School Sponsors
|
Deland High School Sponsor
|
 &  |
 |
To view pictures of the Seabreeze High School and Deland High School Chapters click here.
