A New Partnership Begins
Master Builders Pierce pumps $5K into local workforce by Bailee Wicks Communications Manager
The Master Builders Association of Pierce County donated $5,000 to the Pierce County Skills Center (PCSC) to kick-start a partnership that benefits local students enrolled in the school’s construction trades program.
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community service opportunities, and internships all prepare PCSC students to successfully enter the pipeline to high wage, high demand construction careers in Pierce County,” Ledbetter said.
By 2028, more than 1 million
This partnership aims skilled trades professionals will to strengthen the future workforce and be needed in the residential shorten the labor construction industry. shortage gap. PCSC offers career and technical education programs and The top 25% in most construction serves 10 school districts in Pierce trades professions earn at least County. $60,000 annually in Washington state. By 2028, more than 1 Master Builders Pierce members million skilled trades professionals support PSCS’s Construction will be needed in the residential Trades curriculum by donating construction industry. Virtually all excess tools and supplies upon skilled trades professions are in graduation, attending job fairs and high demand, including carpentry, connecting students to internship plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing and job opportunities. and painting. Director of the Pierce County Skills The current labor shortage Center Michelle Ledbetter gives translates into higher housing Master Builders Pierce staff and costs, increased home prices, members credit for elevating the difficulty completing projects on program. time and lower economic growth. “Donations, guest presenters, joint
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building insight
A 2020 survey of builders by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported that 85% of builders expected to face serious challenges regarding the cost and availability of labor in the coming year. Master Builders Pierce continues to support students pursuing a career in construction through their scholarship program. “Through the PSCS partnership, we expect to funnel even more support directly to students in the trades program,” said 2021 Master Builders President Corey Watson. Thank you, Master Builders for your persistent work and ongoing partnerships to support the residential construction industry. For more information on the PSCS partnership, contact Master Builders Pierce at (253) 2722112. If you have any questions or interest in BIAW’s workforce development efforts, please contact Education and Workforce Development Director Al Audette at (360) 352-7800 ext. 105 or ala@biaw.com.
