Careers

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A dedicated team of BABRM member volunteers work closely with community leaders, the local workforce development board, high schools, trade schools, and other organizations to reduce the skilled labor shortage in the home building industry in Buncombe, Madison, Transylvania, and Henderson counties. This committee takes an active role in promoting and growing awareness of skilled trades and careers in construction.

Building Workforce, Building Community, Building Lives

Explore Careers in Construction

The home building industry offers more than just another job. You can find a rewarding career and earn a great salary! To get there, you don’t have to follow the traditional college path. Trade schools such as Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and other certification programs are great ways to get started. Visit NAHB partner Home Builders Institute to learn more.

Rewarding Careers in
Construction Related Fields

Per Year

$44,200

Carpentry

Per Year

$54,590

Electrical

Per Year

$49,380

HVAC

Per Year

$68,630

Masonry

Per Year

$39,620

Painting

Per Year

$49,210

Plumbing

Building Awareness in our Local Community

To create more awareness of construction careers, BABRM previously hosted an annual Playhouse Showdown competition. While currently paused, the competition offered local high school students a real-world collaborative project to build a playhouse and has inspired many competitors to consider a future in the trades. Plans to reignite the Playhouse Showdown are underway.

In this unique competition, students from participating schools collaborated to build a 6′ x 8′ themed playhouses. Each participating school formed a team comprised of students who were studying drafting, carpentry, interior design, or marketing. Teams worked within specified parameters and demonstrated creativity in design and problem solving. BABRM members proudly donated all building materials and offered guidance throughout the project.

Completed playhouses were on display for the community to see first-hand at BABRM’s Build and Remodel Expo each February. Students won awards in the categories of Best in Show and Viewer’s Choice. These outstanding playhouses were then raffled off to lucky winners who purchased raffle tickets at the expo. All raffle ticket sales proceeds and other funds raised directly benefited the area high schools’ career and technical education programs.

Education Scholarships

For years, the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains has offered an annual scholarship program through the BABRM Education Foundation. Scholarships have made it possible for many students to pursue a career in the home building industry. To apply for an Education Foundation scholarship, Click here.

Education Foundation Scholarships

Learn about previous scholarship recipients:

2019 Scholarship Recipients

2018 Scholarship Recipients

2017 Scholarship Recipients

NAHB Scholarship Programs

The North Carolina Home Builders Education Foundation, Inc. awards scholarships based on a combination of need and merit. Those eligible include four-year college students entering their junior or senior year, and technical school students who have declared their major in a construction-related field and are entering their second year. Applicants must be immediate family members of NCHBA member firms. Read about eligibility criteria and application information.

Affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders, additional scholarships and resources are available through the National Housing Endowment. Visit their scholarships and grants web page to learn more about the various opportunities available specifically for college students who are studying residential construction and the trades.