WASHINGTON, D.C. — A unique program in Puerto Rico is giving residents a chance to build careers in the skilled trades, all at no cost.
From construction sites to classrooms, the Home Builders Institute is creating a pipeline into Puerto Rico’s skilled trades.
“We worked with the Puerto Rican government using HUD money, disaster recovery dollars to open up a ‘BuildStrong Academy,’” said Ed Brady, president & CEO of the Home Builders Institute (HBI).
HBI’s BuildStrong Academy in San Juan offers multi-week, hands-on programs for adults 18 and older — including young workers and those looking for a second career.
“We’re training masonry, electric, plumbing, HVAC down there. And these are good paying jobs on the island,” said Brady. “We’ll train 400 students over the next two or three years and get them jobs.”
Students have the chance to earn HBI’s industry-recognized pre-apprenticeship certification — along with safety and career-readiness skills. The training comes at no cost, thanks to public dollars from Puerto Rico, the federal government, as well as private partners.
“We partner with local businesses, affordable housing folks that are building and commercial folks to help place these students,” Brady said.
Brady said keeping those workers in Puerto Rico is part of the mission — especially as the island continues facing infrastructure needs and natural disasters.
“We really emphasize keeping those folks local when we recruit so that they can make a good living on the island and help rebuild it, because there is a lack of skilled trades everywhere in the country. But Puerto Rico is just such an acute problem with the rebuild and infrastructure challenges that they have,” said Brady.
You can learn more about the HBI BuildStrong Academy in Puerto Rico here.
