Education + Training

Harper Family Foundation Donates $1 Million to HBI’s Orlando BuildStrong Academy

The foundation recently announced its $1 million contribution to the BuildStrong Academy of Orlando, where construction skill-building classes are offered at no cost to beginner students
April 14, 2023

Developer Robert Harper recently announced the Harper Family Foundation’s $1 million contribution to Home Builders Institute (HBI), which operates the BuildStrong Academy of Orlando and offers tuition-free construction training programs.

The funds will be used to finance scholarships and workforce development programs that expand training opportunities for young people not just in Orlando, but all throughout Florida and across the country. HBI opened the BuildStrong Academy in June 2021 to provide construction training at no cost to beginner students, the National Association of Home Builders reports.

“Together, we must be doing all we can to provide training and education in the construction trades for young people in Florida,” said Harper.

“HBI’s most recent Construction Labor Market Report found a nationwide shortage of more than 2 million skilled construction workers,” said Brady, “To fill the gap requires the kind of commitment Robert Harper stands for every day.”

Read more

Sign-up for Pro Builder Newsletters
Get all of the latest news and updates.