NAHB is spotlighting career and technical education-related stories throughout CTE Month® in February. 

The Eastern Idaho Home Builders Association members are passionate about attracting the next generation of residential construction industry professionals. Throughout the year, the HBA members generously donate their time to train, inspire and mentor students enrolled in Technical Careers High School (TCHS), an NAHB Student Chapter in Idaho Falls.

Kyle Wright, TCHS residential construction teacher, says association members go above and beyond to support the school’s construction program. Guest speakers share their experiences working in the industry and often recruit graduates. In addition, HBA members help run the annual spring Construction Combine, a two-day skills training event that builds sheds for disabled veterans and connects students with builders for summer jobs.

HBA members also provide substantial financial support for students to attend the Secondary Schools Construction Management Student Competition at the International Builders’ Show (IBS). Additional funding for the IBS trip comes from selling sheds that the students construct during the year as part of their carpentry training, a travel scholarship from the National Housing Endowment and financial support from the school.

The NAHB Student Competition is a large part of the learning experience for juniors and seniors enrolled in the TCHS residential construction program. Estimating — a topic generally introduced later in senior year — is now spread across the curriculum to bolster the team’s skills.

“Attending the International Builders’ Show opens up the whole world to students and gives them a better idea of all that is available in residential construction,” says Wright.

To learn more about starting a student chapter in your community, visit the Student Chapters page on nahb.org or contact Sarah Weber.