More people than homes challenges Clark County, Nev.

But solutions are on the horizon in Clark County.To meet the increase in demand and to do their part to help keep housing affordable, the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association (SNHBA) is taking action to increase the number of skilled construction workers in Southern Nevada.  The board of directors and Nat Hodgson, executive officer, have hired a community relations manager, Kristy Livingston, who will be focused on workforce development.  Their training program will increase the number of available workers for SNHBA members.

“I am truly excited to bring awareness of our industry to students and veterans,” said Hodgson. “We want to make sure we share the bright opportunities the industry has to offer through the program we are developing.”

Most of the costs for the training will be covered by housing industry companies but this public-private partnership will also pair the SNHBA membership with the Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation and the Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation for the New Nevada via certification and state grants.  The SNHBA program will train more than 100 workers a year in various trades and place them in good paying jobs.  To build a new single family home there are over 25 different skilled trades involved.  From architect to roofer and interior designer, the members of SNHBA need additional team members.  The trainees will also receive an OSHA card, software training, and soft skill/customer service training in order to compete for top wages.

Housing market demand is far outpacing supply in southern Nevada but partnerships between business and government will increase the skilled labor workforce and help more residents of Clark County — and across America — say, “I am home.”