Rising Stars Program launches Trade Trailblazers internship
The Rising Stars Program, a nonprofit that aims to close the skilled labor gap by connecting young adults with career pathways in construction, recently announced its partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. The organizations are launching Trade Trailblazers, an eight-week internship and career exploration program designed to introduce teenagers to careers in the skilled trades.
The program will begin in summer 2026 and provide students ages 17-18 with the opportunity to explore four to six union trades through hands-on technical training, safety certifications and career readiness workshops.
“This partnership is all about opening more doors for young people,” says David Hutchinson, executive director of the Rising Stars Program. “By teaming up with organizations like BGCB that share our vision, we can provide students with real opportunities to build meaningful careers—and help industries find the skilled workforce they need for the future.”
Construction workers increasingly struggle with mental health
Nearly two out of three construction workers in the U.S. have experienced anxiety or depression during the past year, results of a recent annual study from design-build firm Clayco, Chicago, show. More than 2,000 construction workers, industry executives and decision-makers were surveyed regarding mental health.
Findings from the survey include:
- 64% of workers reported experiencing anxiety and depression within the past 12 months—an increase from 54% during 2024
- 45% of workers said they feel ashamed to talk about their mental health issues—up from 39% during 2024
- 37% said they have been discriminated at work for talking about mental health issues
“The data makes it clear that stigma continues to be a barrier to addressing the mental health issues that are pervasive across the construction industry,” says Dan Lester, vice president of field culture and inclusion at Clayco.
Findings also show 44% of workers have used mental health services during the past 12 months and 35% have taken prescription medicine to treat a mental health issue.
Among the executives and decision-makers, 48% said they have experienced anxiety or depression within the past year. Twenty-one percent said that if an employee came forward to seek mental health services or support, that person would be less likely to be assigned important tasks. Further, about 30% indicated the worker would be “more closely monitored” on the job.
“For an industry that has made huge strides in improving and promoting the physical safety of our workers, it is time that we focus on addressing the mental health and psychological safety issues faced by the entire construction sector,” says Anthony Johnson, CEO of Clayco. “As leaders, we need to use this moment to take responsibility for creating the best possible work and support environments. That means not just treating cases when they arise, but making sure every worker feels valued, supported and able to thrive.”
NRCA’s mental health resources are available at betoughenough.org.
Roofing Alliance launches first university-level roofing minor
The Roofing Alliance has announced the launch of the U.S.’ first minor in roofing at the university level. The initiative was funded, developed and driven by the Roofing Alliance in partnership with Clemson University, Clemson, S.C.
Designed and supported by Roofing Alliance members, the minor consists of four courses—Roofing Fundamentals, Roofing Management, Roofing Business Principles and Leadership, and Sustainable Roofing Practices—totaling 12 credit hours.
Since the program’s inception, more than 250 undergraduates and graduate students have enrolled. The effort also has engaged more than 90 companies as guest lecturers, with more than 50 donating roofing materials.
“Our members recognized the need to integrate roofing education into construction management programs nationwide, and the Roofing Alliance took the lead to make it happen,” says Alison LaValley, the Roofing Alliance’s executive director. “Through our collaboration with Clemson University, we created specialized courses that are already reshaping the educational landscape of our industry.”
To expand the program’s reach beyond Clemson University, the Roofing Alliance also developed roofing-specific manuals aligned with the courses. The manuals—Roofing Fundamentals, Roofing Management, and Roofing Business and Leadership—are now available to all construction management programs accredited by the American Council for Construction Education.
Why training programs fail
In 2024, research from the Association of Talent Development found the average organization spent $1,283 per employee on workplace learning. But as leaders try to help workers gain skills—whether through university programs, leadership courses or team retreats—much of the investment in training reportedly does not deliver, according to Fast Company.
To create a training program that drives lasting change, it is important to understand why training programs fail. Fast Company shares the following reasons.
- There is no strategic anchor. Training must have a clear connection to strategic objectives. You should understand and define the skills and knowledge your team needs to achieve crucial outcomes for your business.
- Leaders are not walking the walk. If you do not set an example, there is no credibility. Leaders must be active participants in training and be held to the same—or higher—standards.
- Misdiagnosing the problem. If there are systemic problems, training won’t solve them. Get to the root cause of the problem first and determine whether there is a skills gap or systems gap.
- Lack of clarity and consistency. Employees need a consistent framework they can understand regarding applicability to their on-the-job behaviors. Choose a framework, identify behaviors you can measure and incorporate the framework into daily practices.
- No ROI on impact. If you do not know what you are measuring, it is difficult to measure effects and behavior change. Be sure you understand metrics that determine program success so you can track them and get a clear view of your training’s return on investment.
NRCA offers several educational resources; they are available at nrca.net/education.
Click here to watch a Power Hour recording regarding how to take care of your mental health during the holiday season.
