MOBILE, Ala. — A major workforce initiative is taking shape in Mobile as Goodwill Gulf Coast teams up with the South Alabama Homebuilding Academy (SAHA) to provide tuition-free construction trades training beginning January 2026. The new program is aimed at widening the pipeline of skilled workers in Alabama’s fast-growing residential construction market.
The partnership will offer an eight-week Construction Skills Boot Camp, open to anyone 17 or older who is looking to begin or transition into a construction career. The program delivers free, hands-on instruction that focuses on fundamental field skills, essential safety knowledge, and specialized training across several high-demand trades.
Classes will be held at Goodwill Gulf Coast’s McMaken building at 2448 Gordon Smith Drive, meeting on Tuesday and Thursday evenings to accommodate working adults, students, and career changers.
Goodwill Gulf Coast CEO Barry Reed, Jr. emphasized why now is a critical time to enter the industry. “With thousands of jobs currently available, now is the time to explore a future in skilled trades and construction,” Reed said. He added that “In 2024, Alabama had 106,400 construction-related jobs, which was a 4.6% increase over the prior year. Overall, 6.2% of the state’s workforce is employed in this sector, which is projected to have faster-than-average employment growth through 2026.”
Participants can select one of five trade-specific pathways—Roofing, Plumbing, Carpentry, Electrical, or HVAC—while also completing coursework covering basic tools, equipment handling, and jobsite readiness. In total, the academy will offer 16 classes, including:
Graduates can also earn the HBAA Safety 6 certification, a six-hour worksite safety credential widely recognized among Alabama homebuilders.
Beyond training, Goodwill Gulf Coast will give participants access to career counseling, resumé development, and job search assistance. At the end of the program, students will attend a Jobs Fair hosted by Goodwill, where local construction companies will be actively recruiting.
Mobile and the surrounding region have been struggling to meet construction labor demands as residential development accelerates. The boot camp aims to create a direct, job-ready talent pipeline for builders facing ongoing shortages in carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, and HVAC.
SAHA, a nonprofit focused on short-term, hands-on construction training, requires that participants be 17 or older, legally authorized to work in the U.S., and able to pass a drug screening.
SAHA operates under Go Build Alabama, a statewide effort to raise awareness of trade careers among young people and adults. The campaign works to correct misconceptions about the industry and introduces Alabamians to training opportunities and well-paying construction jobs.
Through Go Build Alabama, the Alabama Construction Recruitment Institute aims to build a stronger skilled workforce, supporting both local construction businesses and the state’s broader economic growth.
Originally reported by My NBC 15.
