“There are many well-paying jobs in the building trades these days. But next year, almost six million skilled jobs will go unfilled.” So says Norm Abram, the celebrated master carpenter of “This Old House,” in a new video with NKBA CEO Bill Darcy about the growing skills gap affecting the design and construction industry.

Considered the ultimate home improvement guru, Abram has inspired millions of homeowners to renovate and restore their homes. Now he is working to inspire a new generation of trade professionals through This Old House Venture’s Generation Next initiative. In this video, he recognizes the NKBA as an important partner to ensure today’s youth are aware of the lucrative career opportunities in construction and remodeling.

As skilled carpenters, plumbers and electricians retire, there aren’t enough trained craftsmen to take their place. Our Trade UP Initiative was created to draw attention to this issue and to support programs like Generation Next.

“The NKBA was thrilled to be the first association to support “This Old House” by providing KBIS as the launch platform for Generation Next,” says Darcy. “The skills gap in design and construction careers is getting larger every year, and it has become a priority issue for our members.”

Want to get involved? There are lots of ways that individuals, associations and businesses can join in the effort: 

  • Apply for a mikeroweWORKS Work Ethic Scholarship at mikeroweWORKS.org/scholarship or share the information with someone who could benefit.
  • Enter the Apprentice Casting Call for the chance to work with the “This Old House” pros at thisoldhouse.com/TOHapprentice.
  • Become a major supporter (minimum $25,000) and receive recognition from “This Old House” across its print, television and digital media platforms. For more information, email their CEO Eric Thorkilsen at eric@thisoldhouse.com.
  • Contribute directly to mikeroweWORKS Work Ethic Scholarship Fund at mikeroweworks.org/giving-page.

By working together, we can change the current perceptions about trade careers and help make the skilled labor shortage a thing of the past.