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both the Florida Home Builders Association and the National Association of Home Builders, the SBA combines local insight with statewide and national industry connections. At its core is a simple philosophy:‘ Do business with a member’.
Today, by uniting builders and allied businesses, the SBA creates a powerful platform for advocacy while helping members build valuable connections, share opportunities, and grow their businesses. Leading the association is Jon Mast, Chief Executive Officer, who has been fundamental in driving the launch of the SBA’ s most exciting new development: the Suncoast Apprenticeship Academy. Modern Home Builders joins Jon for an exclusive interview discussing the academy’ s conceptualization, goals, and future industry impact.
“ The Suncoast Apprenticeship Academy was created to build a stronger and more sustainable pipeline of skilled construction workers for our region. Our goal is to provide students with recognized credentials and direct connections to employers who can help them begin meaningful careers in the building industry,” Jon begins.“ Our region has a significant disconnect between the need for skilled workers and the availability of accessible, industry-focused training. Employers are ready to hire, but too many prospective workers lack the basic skills, credentials, and connections necessary to enter the industry. We are working to close that gap.
“ The skilled labor shortage in the Sarasota and Manatee counties reaches every homeowner in our community. Without immediate action to recruit and train the next generation of skilled tradespeople, families will face longer waiting times and higher costs when they need someone to repair their plumbing, restore their air conditioning, replace a roof, renovate their property, or build a new home. Investing in workforce development today is essential to ensure that these critical services remain available, affordable, and dependable for our growing community.
“ The academy will offer construction pre-apprenticeship education certified through the Home Builders Institute, taught by current and retired local tradesmen,” Jon elaborates.“ Students will receive instruction in construction math, blueprint reading, workplace safety, and several core trades, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Our programs are designed to serve recent high school graduates, unemployed or underemployed adults, individuals seeking a new career and young people who may not see a traditional college education as the right path for them.”
This hands-on approach is part of a larger effort to change how young people view careers in construction. Rather than positioning the trades as an alternative to college, Jon wants students to see construction as a first-choice career.
“ The building industry offers tremendous opportunities to earn a strong income, develop valuable skills, advance into management and, eventually, own a business,” he explains.“ We need to reach students earlier and give them meaningful exposure to the industry through school partnerships, jobsite visits, internships, pre-apprenticeship programs, and direct interaction with successful tradespeople and business owners.”
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