VANCOUVER — Building Futures Foundation, a nonprofit foundation associated with the Building Industry Association of Clark County, announced its 2023 scholarship recipients at its August dinner meeting. Since 2007, Building Futures Foundation has awarded 121 scholarships and tool grants, representing a total investment of $213,250 in construction careers. At the event, a separate scholarship was funded and awarded by Nutter Corp. during the ceremony.
“As part of Building Futures Foundation’s mission of promoting and funding workforce development opportunities that support the building and construction industry, we are thrilled to distribute $28,000 to 10 recipients for 2023,” said Sarah Niebert with Affinity Homes LLC and Building Futures Foundation co-chair. “These scholarships are an investment in the recipient’s future and the future workforce that supports the homebuilding industry.”
Building Futures Foundation is spearheading a renewed focus on education and training for high demand skilled trades through school programs, scholarships and advocacy. According to Construction Drive, a recent study indicates that the construction industry has a workforce gap of a half a million workers. The shortage is being exacerbated by education systems that have overlooked skilled trade training in recent history along with a generation of skilled trade workers who are aging out.
“The demand for skilled trades is only going to increase as we address the housing deficit that is projected to require 100,000 housing units in Clark County throughout the next 20 years,” said Bart Hansen, Building Industry Association’s executive officer. “This is a tall order for our industry, but we are tackling it from every angle — especially workforce development. Development begins with opportunity, and that’s exactly what BFF’s scholarships provide.”
