Carpentry, Electrical & HVAC Training | $52K Avg Starting Salary, 87% Placement Rate

Home Builders Institute (HBI) is a national nonprofit with one mandate: build the skilled trades workforce America needs. Backed by The Home Depot Foundation and connected to 140,000+ NAHB member companies nationwide, HBI has placed 87% of SkillBridge program graduates into employment since launch — 72% directly into construction and the building trades.

JOB LOCATIONS (10)

ABOUT THE JOB

The construction industry needs 723,000 new workers every year. It cannot be automated. It cannot be offshored. And skilled trades pay well: electricians and supervisors routinely clear $100K+. This program is your fastest path in. Over 12 weeks — roughly 75–80% hands-on, the rest classroom — you'll complete two full trade rotations (6 weeks carpentry, 6 weeks electrical; Jacksonville location: 12 weeks HVAC). You will not shadow someone. You will work. When you complete the program, you walk away with credentials that belong to you permanently: * DOL-recognized PACT pre-apprenticeship credential * OSHA-10 safety certification * EPA certification (HVAC locations) These are not proprietary certificates from one company. They're recognized by over 140,000 employers. If a job doesn't materialize from this program — the 87% placement rate means most do — you still leave with portable, industry-standard credentials and a completed pre-apprenticeship on your record. Job placement is built into the program: resume coaching, mock interviews, direct employer visits, and one-on-one career counseling. HBI has 700+ industry partners actively looking to hire. Starting wages: $25.27/hr on average across all HBI locations in 2024 — equivalent to $52,562 annually. Program-wide hourly wages have increased 12.5% since 2021. Top-performing locations like Norfolk and Fort Hood are placing graduates at $28–$31/hr out of the gate. And that's just entry-level — journeyman wages run $70–80K, with experienced electricians and supervisors clearing $100K+.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Complete all scheduled training sessions, both hands-on and classroom, for your assigned trade rotations
• Follow established safety protocols throughout the program — OSHA compliance is trained, not assumed
• Engage with HBI career placement staff: attend employer visits, participate in mock interviews, complete resume prep
• Coordinate your SkillBridge authorization through your command (DA-4187 or equivalent) before the start date

QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently serving on active duty
• Within 180 days of your separation or retirement date at program start
• Command authorization obtained prior to start (DA-4187 or service equivalent)
• Ability to perform physical labor in a construction training environment
• Committed to the full 12-week program — this is a career track, not an introduction to home improvement

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY

Potential students must interview with a Regional Career Development Coordinator (RCDC) via telephone, virtually, or in person. After RCDC has accepted you into the program, all required paperwork with your command's approval and signatures must be on file with RCDC and your TAPS Representative.

TARGET MOCS

All MOCs

ELIGIBLE SERVICE BRANCHES

All Services

BENEFITS

• $0 cost — PPE, tools, textbooks, and uniform provided; no GI Bill required
• Portable credentials — DOL PACT pre-apprenticeship, OSHA-10, and EPA cert (HVAC) are yours permanently
• 87% job placement rate since launch across 700+ industry partners
• $25.27/hr average starting wage in 2024 ($52,562 annualized) — up 12.5% since 2021 — with a clear path to $70–80K journeyman and $100K+ advanced roles
• Recognized by 140,000+ NAHB member companies nationwide
• 10 locations near major installations — Fort Cavazos, Fort Liberty, Fort Carson, Camp Pendleton, Fort Bliss, Fort Riley, Fort Stewart, Jacksonville, and more

PROGRAM COST

No cost to participate