Simpson Strong-Tie and Habitat for Humanity to Enhance their Construction Trades Program

Simpson Strong-Tie has expanded its Construction Trades Support program in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley.

Program events, which were previously held once a year, will now be hosted twice a year, with an expanded agenda that includes hands-on activities in the plumbing and electrical trades.

The second phase of the program will enhance chances for participants who are extremely driven to pursue a trades profession and will involve a build day with Habitat for Humanity.

The program’s purpose is to encourage youth and people who have recently left the employment to consider the building trades as a viable and satisfying career path.

Last October, 25 students from Richmond’s Making Waves Academy attended the program workshop at Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley’s Oakland warehouse.

Presentations, demos, and hands-on activities such as plumbing pipe soldering and cutting, as well as electrical wiring, were all part of the half-day course. HVAC and other trade disciplines will be represented at future events, as well as a potential mini-job fair for participants.

“We’re proud to partner with Simpson Strong-Tie on this continually expanding program,” Janice Jensen, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley, made the statement.

“By offering construction trades education to students throughout the Bay Area, Simpson Strong-Tie is actively supporting the next generation of skilled tradespeople who are critical to the efforts of creating a world where everyone has access to housing.”

“Expanding the trades talent pool with motivated and enthusiastic individuals helps us serve our industry at large, and also enables Simpson Strong-Tie to demonstrate our commitment to construction trades education — one of our social impact priorities,” Simpson Strong-Tie board member and former CEO Karen Colonias stated.

“It is vital to the future of the building industry that we develop programs and opportunities to support these potential tradespeople on their professional journey.”