The Building Trades Academy Inc., (the Academy) is a 501(c)3 entity, with a mission to deliver
workforce education, training, and employment services that lead to better jobs and careers in the
building trades to low-income residents of South Hampton Roads through partnerships with industry, government, and community organizations; to deliver vocational training through partnerships that enhance the community and promote affordable homeownership.
We have helped over 3,000 students to build better lives for themselves with the foundation they received from the training program. These young men and women are often easily dismissed by society. They may have few, if any, positive role models and are seldom encouraged to develop their skills and talents. For many, this training program is their first taste of success. These are people with potential who might otherwise depend on government subsistence or end up in our correctional system.
The TBA program has proven it can make a difference. The students are not only taught the construction trades, but also life skills training. Not only do we require trainees to participate in training as if it were a real job, they also have to demonstrate the ability to obtain employment by receiving a legitimate job offer before they can graduate. In this way 100% of program graduates are employed on graduation day. Follow-up services are conducted for one year after program exit and include facilitating additional employment as needed, providing career counseling to promote job retention and advancement, and providing assistance to obtain higher education. Furthermore, we have a proven track record for providing sustaining employment to individuals with a criminal background where other training vendors and social service providers cannot.
Recent accomplishments:
180th class started in 2007
Celebrate 30 Years of providing construction trades training and employment in 2008
Over 3,000 economically disadvantaged individuals trained and placed in promising careers within the building industry
Officially became a 501c-3 Nonprofit Organization in 2006
Built one and will continue to build three more affordable homes for low-income families in Portsmouth's Prentice Park low-income neighborhood
Developed an Associate Degree in Applied Science for Construction at Tidewater Community College with local educators
Won grant for “Building Today’s Workforce for Tomorrow” from Home Builders Institute in 2005 – See Programs
Completed the 20th affordable home constructed by program participants for a low-income family between 1990 and 2005
Won Youthbuild grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2004 – See Programs
Won national recognition from the U.S. Conference of Mayors for Excellence in Public Private Partnerships for our participation in the Chesapeake Affordable Homeownership Partnership in 2000
Made a deal with Checkered Flag Auto Group to give program graduates a steep discount on a new or used car
Other successful endeavors completed by our pre-apprentices:
Revamped the Junior Achievement Building in Norfolk.
Built furniture for mentally handicapped children of Southeastern Virginia Training Center in Chesapeake.
Converted a two car garage into a year round children's playhouse for Y.W.C.A. - Womens Crisis Center.
Conducted building maintenance repairs to several low income city housing projects (Ingleside - Lakewood).
Completely remodeled a two bedroom home for needy family in Bayside, Virginia Beach.
Conducted Building Maintenance Training Program for Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
Constructed a 3,000 sq.ft. training facility for the underprivileged (built entirely by pre-apprentices).
Completed additional wing to the Camp Pendleton Child Service Center in Virginia Beach.
Contributed to Norfolk's new Day Care Center.
Made repairs to Beach House (home for mentally handicapped).
Made major renovations to Mother Seton House (home for runaway teen girls) in Virginia Beach.
Converted a three bedroom home into an Emergency Shelter in the City of Virginia Beach - Samaritan House.
Constructed floats and other materials for the Neptune Festival.
Completed renovations to the first Rainbow Housing Inc. project.
Completed remodeling project at the Susan Jan Keneski handicapped complex in Chesapeake.
Renovated Park Place Friends Home Orphanage (for 3 - 6 year olds) in Norfolk.
Helped with renovations to Virginia Beach Chamber of Commerce office.
Renovated Southeastern Virginia Food Bank offices in their new location at 2308 Granby Street in Norfolk.
Renovated the Endependence's new Satellite Center in Chesapeake.
Renovated a home for an elderly lady in Portsmouth - Portsmouth Housing and Community Development.
Renovations to the offices and gift shop at Virginia Zoological Park in Norfolk - Friends of the Zoo.
Renovations to Virginia Beach Christian Outreach (temporary shelter for the homeless) in Virginia Beach.
Constructed two picnic shelters (Greenbrier Park and Jubilee site) in Chesapeake.
Renovated abandoned building in Campostella Square which will be used to provide literacy training for adults and as an after school program for children.
Construct two duplexes for low income families for Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
Built three single family homes, providing homeownership for low income families in Chesapeake.
Helped with the construction of Kids Cove in Virginia Beach.
Helped with the construction of Fun Forest in Chesapeake.
