Ed Talks, a new podcast from the Home Builders Institute (HBI), addresses the skilled labor shortage in residential construction. Host Ed Brady, HBI President & CEO, launched the debut episode in conversation with Eugene Graf, builder, longtime NAHB leader, and HBI Board of Trustees Chairman.

Brady underscored the urgency to fuel the skilled trades talent pipeline, noting that with the average age of a plumber at 58 and only two new professionals entering the field for every five retiring, the skilled labor shortage is a real concern.

He explained how HBI builds America’s skilled trades workforce through its Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT) curriculum, which blends performance-based learning in the building trades with vocational and academic skills training, including life skills, career development, and on-the-job training.

Graf shared his involvement with HBI and explained how its programs connect NAHB members with motivated students eager to excel and build careers in residential construction. Graf detailed how and why NAHB members can engage with HBI, support students locally, and strengthen the talent pool.

“Students who complete the HBI program have a consistent skill set that we can depend on,” says Graf.  “HBI graduates can travel anywhere in the country, and we know that if they’ve gone through our program, they are capable of performing the task that we are hiring them for.”

Graf and Brady encouraged NAHB members to visit hbi.org to discover resources and tools available to jumpstart HBI programming and local workforce development outreach.

Listen to the full episode of the podcast below and subscribe to the HBI Building Careers YouTube channel to watch future episodes.