South Alabama Homebuilding Academy pitches free short-term trades training for Mobile-area residents

Dr. Tommy Davis, executive director of the North Alabama Homebuilding Academy, outlined a proposal for a South Alabama Homebuilding Academy to offer free, hands-on residential construction training in the Mobile area. The 16-session curriculum, typically delivered two nights per week over eight weeks, covers safety classes, basic tool and power-tool use and five trade-specific units (HVAC, carpentry, electrical, plumbing and roofing).

Davis said there is no cost to students, the program accepts applicants 17 and older who can legally work in the United States, and participants must pass a drug screening. Students receive tools and instruction, and the program connects graduates with local employers; Davis said roughly 70% of the program’s 700-plus graduates have gone into residential construction and that 90–95% remain employed long term.

Robert Collins, current local president of the Home Builders Association, explained a House bill passed in June (not further specified in the hearing record) allows local governments to add a small fee to each residential permit to fund training programs; he said Madison County and the City of Huntsville have used similar mechanisms and that Huntsville initially supported its program through an appropriation before moving to a permit-fee model.

The presenters highlighted partnerships with Drake State, the University of Alabama in Huntsville and local nonprofits (Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, residential addiction recovery centers) and noted a summer camp for girls and in-school outreach. They directed interested residents to enroll using the GoBuildMobile website for information sessions and registration.