Winter/Spring 2026 Issue Article
Strengthening Connecticut’s Construction Workforce
Building the Pipeline: Strengthening Connecticut’s Construction Workforce
The Connecticut Institute for Professional Builders & Remodelers, Inc. (CIPBR) is the 501(c)(3) workforce development and education foundation of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Connecticut (HBRA of CT). Through strategic partnerships and industry leadership, CIPBR is addressing one of the residential construction industry’s most pressing challenges: the shortage of skilled labor.
CIPBR’s mission is to advance trades education and prepare students and adults with practical, job-ready skills by fostering innovation, collaboration, and excellence across secondary education, higher education, and workforce training systems. By aligning education with real-world industry needs, CIPBR is helping to build a sustainable talent pipeline that supports housing production and economic growth across Connecticut. A key focus of CIPBR’s recent work has been expanding the use of the Home Builders Institute (HBI) Core PACT pre-apprenticeship curriculum in Connecticut public high schools. Approved by the Connecticut Department of Labor, the nationally recognized curriculum introduces students to careers in residential construction while providing foundational training aligned with industry standards. Interest in the program continues to grow among school districts statewide.
To read the full article, click or tap the button below to download the full article PDF.
