Kitchen & Bath Business - May/June 2017 - 16

Learning Corner

Wo r k i n g t o g e t h e r t o e n c o u r a g e y o u n g e r

"The skills gap in design and construction careers is getting larger every year, and it has become a priority issue for our members, so we were
thrilled to provide KBIS as the launch platform
for Generation Next," said NKBA vice president
of industry relations, Suzie Williford."If we fail to
attract new, young talent to our industry, kitchen
and bath projects will inevitably take longer to
complete, triggering higher costs for everyone
including homeowners."

generations to join the skilled trades

KUDOS TO GENERATION NEXT

Trade UP: Changing Minds

THERE'S A MYTH BEING PERPETUATED in schools today. Students are be-

ing shepherded down the path toward a four-year degree as the key to achieving a happy and successful life. But that's just what it is - a myth. Ask any
plumber, carpenter or electrician, and they'll tell you that the job satisfaction
that comes from seeing something you created come to life is one of a kind.
Add in the not inconsiderable financial rewards along with the opportunity
to start your own business for those with an entrepreneurial drive, and you
have all the makings of a great career - without the massive student debt.
Many college graduates are struggling to find a job in their chosen field.Yet,
there are currently three million skilled trade jobs going unfilled. A number
the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts this will jump to nearly six million by
the end of 2017. The need to close the skilled labor gap is clear and directly
impacts the entire kitchen and bath industry.
So, the NKBA is tackling the issue head on with our Trade UP Initiative.
Formed to change perceptions about the creative and financial rewards to be
gained by working in the skilled trades,Trade UP encourages students to consider these fulfilling design, construction and manufacturing career opportunities.
PROMOTING BUILDING TRADES

NKBA's Trade UP Initiative supports three programs, one of which is the
This Old House Ventures' Generation Next campaign. Generation Next
promotes the building trades as a rewarding career path and raises money
for the mikeroweWORKS Foundation's Work Ethic Scholarship program.
The scholarship benefits students with the desire to learn one of these indemand trades. But even without a scholarship, trade schools and apprentice
programs can provide the valuable skills needed to perform these jobs at a
fraction of the cost of a four-year degree. In some cases, you may actually get
paid to learn your craft.
This Old House Ventures is supporting the effort throughout its media
properties.The iconic television show will feature a home remodel supported
by product donations.The donations will offset the remodeling costs so that
the price paid by the homeowners will go toward the scholarship fund; This
Old House magazine will include coverage of the remodel; and its website has
a series of articles and features dedicated to Generation Next.This Old House
Ventures is also launching a nationwide casting call for the next generation of
talent - three apprentices who will work alongside the "This Old House"cast
and crew (see link at the end for more information or to apply).This extensive
coverage has one unifying goal - to encourage young people to master and
succeed in the vocational trades.
The 2017 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), owned by the NKBA,
provided This Old House Ventures with a platform to launch Generation
Next, where the company presented the first $500,000 check to Mike Rowe.

16

BILL DARCY, NKBA CEO

In addition to NKBA's support, several of our
members also signed on as early Generation Next
supporters, including HomeAdvisor, American
Standard and InSinkErator.
"America's skilled labor shortage is affecting our
local and national economies and building sectors
and threatening to impede the perpetuation of essential knowledge and skills," said HomeAdvisor
CEO Chris Terrill, a member of NKBA's board of
directors. "The Generation Next campaign helps
ensure the continued sustainability of our housing
economy and workforce for generations to come,
and HomeAdvisor is proud to be a supporter."
"We are thrilled to be a founding partner in
the Generation Next initiative, as we understand
how critical it is to ensure the future growth of
our industry," said Jeannette Long, vice president of marketing communications for LIXIL
Americas, which includes American Standard,
DXV and GROHE. "Being part of this program
helps ensure there will be a skilled workforce to
create and protect the products and systems that
keep our homes safe, healthy and comfortable for
years to come."
InSinkErator President Chad Severson echoes
that sentiment. "This need is real, urgent and felt
by every major manufacturer, and it's going to take
fresh thinking and new ideas to fill the gap,"he said.
Want to join us in supporting Generation
Next? There are lots of ways individuals, associations and businesses can help:
* Spread the word on social media about the
"This Old House" Apprentice Casting Call
(thisoldhouse.com/TOHapprentice)
* Contribute directly to mikeroweWORKS Work
Ethic Scholarship Fund at mikeroweworks.
org/giving-page and share with your network.
* For more information on supporting Generation
Next, email their CEO, Eric Thorkilsen, at
eric@thisoldhouse.com.
We hope you'll join the cause to change minds
and attract a new generation of workers to the
skilled trades.


Kitchen & Bath Business / MAY-JUNE 2017 / KBBONLINE.COM / The official publication of KBIS (KBIS.com)
http://www.KBBONLINE.COM http://www.KBIS.com
Kitchen & Bath Business - May/June 2017

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