Building Institute Building a Stronger Future

Building a Stronger Future by Dawn Anderson | courtesy photos

The Building Institute of Greater Louisville recently launched to help counteract the perfect storm of factors contributing to the construction industry's local (and national) workforce shortage. The Building Institute’s HVAC Program, in partnership with the Building Industry Association of Greater Louisville (BIA Louisville), is currently offered to students in Louisville and surrounding areas. According to Executive Vice President Juva Barber, BIA Louisville is a voluntary trade association providing advocacy, education, membership, networking opportunities, and signature events to show off skills for builders, contractors, vendors, and all involved in construction.

The industry’s workforce losses are rooted in the 2008 Great Recession and compounded by the reduction of high school trade and apprenticeship programs. More recently, the crisis came to a head with the COVID-19 pandemic, which also increased demand for remodels and new construction. Consequently, the current workforce is primarily “a graying population looking at retirement,” says Barber. “We’re trying to help solve that problem. In July, we created this accelerated opportunity to get people the training needed to pass skilled trades tests.” BIA Louisville looked at programs from other chapters to address the immediate need for workers. Modeled on the Building Institute of Central KY’s Lexington HVAC Program, the Building Institute of Greater Louisville recently started its HVAC Program with seven students. Programs offer small class sizes with qualifi ed trade instructors who work in the fi eld every day and teach at night. Students attend class three hours per night, Monday through Thursday, for seven months. “We help them fi nd a job for the required on-the-job training hours and provide textbook training and lab work at our 1000 N. Hurstbourne facility.” With the need to move quickly in launching this year’s program, Barber assures that BIA Louisville is committed to making necessary changes and improvements to address the membership's needs. A new HVAC course will run from January to April and September to December of 2023. The program prepares students for the Journeyman Exam to become fully certifi ed and licensed HVAC technicians with a substantial pay increase. “Many had jobs but want careers with a path for growth in responsibility and pay.” A plumbing course is planned for launch in September 2023, followed by additional licensed and unlicensed trades for the long run. Visit bialouisville.com and buildinginstituteky.com for more information. Follow @BIALouisville on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.