In a move designed to support the next generation of Hawai‘i’s construction workforce, the Building Industry Association of Hawaii has announced a $100,000 grant marking the start of a new partnership with the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.
The donation will fund Hawai‘i’s YouthBuild Green Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training Program and help realize BIA Hawaii’s vision of empowering unemployed and underemployed young adults through skills necessary for environmentally conscious construction work. Participants in the program will gain valuable industry knowledge and practical training in a supportive environment that provides financial assistance to students, enabling them to focus on their education.
BIA Hawaii CEO Roseann Freitas said the potential for change and self-improvement provided through this program is vital.
“BIA is committed to providing educational training opportunities to support our ongoing commitment to fostering the growth and development of the construction industry and empowering the youth of Hawai‘i ,” Freitas said in a news release. “BIA is proud to unveil our Green PACT program set to make a profound impact in 2024 and 2025.
“This program is a cornerstone of BIA’s educational initiatives offering participants an opportunity to earn nationally recognized certificates, further enhancing their career readiness and increasing their employability in the construction sector.”
The Green PACT program will span three months per cohort and will train two groups over two fiscal years: 12 students in the first cohort and eight students in the second, providing 2,500 training hours to those who participate. The program’s core objective is to create an equitable and inclusive pathway into the construction workforce for underprivileged students, increase access to trade jobs and promote a diverse and skilled labor force.
The program’s wide-ranging curriculum will include practical skills, sustainable construction techniques and industry-recognized certification.
“BIA has a strong commitment to … investing in the growth and sustainability of the construction industry,” Freitas said. “Together, we aim to foster a skilled and motivated workforce.”
