Operation Reconstruct

HBI's Operation Reconstruct program is a 12-week training course for unemployed or underemployed adults and youth ages 18-21 to provide them with basic home building skills and employment in an area’s construction industry.

Students get their general equivalency diploma (GED), trades-specific training in which they earn a pre-apprenticeship certification and job readiness counseling. They give back to their communities by participating in hands-on service learning like building affordable housing and rebuilding churches and shelters for battered women and the homeless.

HBI currently has two Operation Reconstruct programs:

HBI Operation Reconstruct Jefferson Parish, La., launched in 2006 in Jefferson Parish, La., to put people back to work in the rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. It currently is funded by the Jefferson Parish Workforce Investment Board.
HBI Operation Reconstruct Delaware trains and places 30 young adults in jobs each year in Sussex County in a partnership with the Delaware Department of Labor.

For more information about starting an Operation Reconstruct program in your community, contact John Hattery at 202-607-3397.

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SUPPORT OUR FUTURE

Sustain the development of the home building industry’s workforce by contributing to the National Housing Endowment’s “Support Our Future” online fundraising campaign. Your donation to the “Support Our Future” campaign will go directly to the NAHB Student Chapters and the Homebuilding Education Leadership Education Program (HELP). » READ MORE

HBI SEEKS MENTORS

HBI seeks experienced workers from the home building industry to volunteer as mentors for youth in 28 cities in 11 southern states. HBI’s C-CORE program matches teens ages 16-18 with adult mentors from any facet of the home building industry who encourage them to consider careers in home building and coach them toward success. » READ MORE