The Madison Area Builders Association (MABA), under the guidance of
Chad Lawler has partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County to create a
groundbreaking workforce center. The center aims to introduce young people to the skilled
trades and construction industry, providing a much-needed boost to a sector in need of new and
diverse talent. The innovative project, valued at $10 million, is set to open in just two months
and has already raised over $30 million in funding.
The collaboration between MABA and the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County began six years
ago, and their joint efforts have now come to fruition. While the facility has not officially opened,
the program has already engaged with over 1,000 local youths, including nearly 300 who have
participated in site tours, hands-on projects, and soft skills training.
The center’s initial focus will be on offering career awareness and exploration programming to
children starting in Kindergarten. More hands-on training will be provided to middle and high
school students. Older participants will choose from three tracks: 1) direct work in residential
home construction; 2) youth apprenticeship, aimed at union apprenticeships; and 3) additional
education in carpentry or construction management through partnering community colleges.
These students will also receive soft skills training, financial literacy education, and
entrepreneurship lessons.
In addition to the Boys & Girls Club, MABA has enlisted the support of over 400 corporate and
small business members, who will provide employment, apprenticeships, internships, and
summer jobs to the participating youth.
This local partnership has inspired a national collaboration between the National Association of
Home Builders (NAHB) and the Boys & Girls Club of America. The two organizations have
launched a pilot program involving 10 communities, including Madison, in partnership with Ford
Next Generation Learning (NGL). The pilot’s goal is to foster relationships between local clubs
and builders’ associations, expanding opportunities for young people in the construction industry.
As the average construction worker is a 56-year-old white male, there is a pressing need for the
industry to attract younger and more diverse talent. By partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs
across the nation, which predominantly serve black and brown youth from underserved
neighborhoods, the construction industry can work towards more inclusivity and diversity.
This innovative program is designed to leave a lasting impact. In Madison, funds have been
allocated to an endowment to ensure the program’s longevity. By starting with children as young
as four years old, MABA and the Boys & Girls Club are looking toward a long-term, sustainable
solution for the construction industry’s workforce challenges.
As the case study and report on the pilot program’s successes, struggles, and best practices are
expected by late spring, it is clear that the partnership between MABA, Chad Lawler, and the
Boys & Girls Club is more than just a local initiative. It has the potential to reshape the
construction industry on a national scale, fostering a more diverse and inclusive workforce for
generations to come.
