Home Builders Institute Receives Grant from Google.org to Expand Skilled Trades Training for Veterans
The Home Builders Institute (HBI), a nonprofit organization focused on skilled trades training, has received a grant from Google.org to expand its programs for transitioning military service members and veterans. This initiative is part of an effort by Google.org alongside two other organizations—Hiring Our Heroes and Student Veterans of America—to help 25,000 veterans and military families build careers in the skilled trades. The HBI's Military Services program offers tuition-free training through a Department of Defense SkillBridge partnership at multiple locations. The grant will allow for additional cohorts to be added, expanded training opportunities, and enhanced job placement support. Google.org emphasized that addressing the skilled labor shortage requires long-term partnerships rather than short-term solutions. HBI research highlights an annual $10.8 billion economic cost due to a skilled-labor shortage in construction, with over 700,000 additional workers needed yearly. Graduates of HBI's military programs earn average starting wages exceeding $23 per hour and have achieved an 87% job placement rate.
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Topics: Google.org grants nonprofit initiatives skilled trades veterans