Simpson Strong-Tie, the leader in engineered structural connectors and building solutions, announced the expansion of its Construction Trades Support program with Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley. Formerly held once a year, program events will now take place twice yearly, with an expanded agenda that includes hands-on activities in the plumbing and electrical trades. The second leg of the program will expand on opportunities for participants who are highly motivated to pursue a trades career, and includes a build day with Habitat.

The goal of the program is to promote interest in the building trades as a viable and rewarding career path for youth and for individuals who have recently been out of the workforce.

Last October, 25 students from Making Waves Academy in Richmond, California, attended the program workshop at Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley’s Oakland warehouse. The half-day workshop included presentations, demos and hands-on activities including plumbing pipe soldering and cutting, as well as electrical wiring. In future events, HVAC and other trade disciplines will be represented as well, along with a potential mini-job fair for the participants.

“We’re proud to partner with Simpson Strong-Tie on this continually expanding program,” said Janice Jensen, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley. “By offering construction trades education to students throughout the Bay Area, Simpson Strong-Tie is actively supporting the next generation of skilled tradespeople who are critical to the efforts of creating a world where everyone has access to housing.”

“Expanding the trades talent pool with motivated and enthusiastic individuals helps us serve our industry at large, and also enables Simpson Strong-Tie to demonstrate our commitment to construction trades education — one of our social impact priorities,” said Simpson Strong-Tie board member and former CEO Karen Colonias. “It is vital to the future of the building industry that we develop programs and opportunities to support these potential tradespeople on their professional journey.”