OUR HISTORY

Tennessee Builders Education Foundation (TBEF) was formed in 2019. The Tennessee Builders Education Foundation, an IRS-approved 501[c][3] organization, was created with participation and through the efforts of stakeholders within the West Tennessee Home Builders Association (HBA) and community leaders in Shelby County. TBEF was formed to address the severe shortage of skilled workers via a formal educational program. In partnership with Home Builders Institute (HBI) TBEF offers the HBI Pre Apprentice Certificate Training syllabus to teach Building Construction Trades. The HBI-PACT curriculum is 90% STEM aligned. This allows our PACT curriculum to be used towards college credits with approval from Tennessee College of Applied Technology.

Delivered initially in high schools during 2019 – 2020 school term, in early 2020 TBEF added Opportunity Youth and Adult Education programs to its mission. While there are roadblocks to recovery this circumstance is poised to get significantly worse as the current tradesmen and women ages out. One of the major benefits of the strong relationship between TBEF and HBA is the availability of 450 industry partners who need skilled labor. That number expands to more than 2600 industry partners when HBA members across Tennessee are considered. Our goal is to place graduates of the program with members of HBA and other industry partners.

Our program offers a viable career path to those students who want something other than a college career. TBEF along other industry partners are transforming lives and communities through hands-on technical education and careers in the construction industry. Home Building builds shelter, it builds safer communities, and it provides a significant economic benefit. Working in the industry not only provides a job but provides a pathway out of poverty for the students and their families, while recognizing the accomplishments of the men and women in the trades.