Reliance Worldwide Corp. (RWC) has joined forces with Home Builders Institute (HBI) to promote careers in the trades. 

RWC is a leading manufacturer of premium branded plumbing products, valves, secondary pipe supports, firestopping solutions, DWV testing and fluid control technologies for residential and commercial applications. 

HBI trains skilled workers for the building industry through pre-apprenticeship training, certification programs and job placement services. HBI provides the skills and experience necessary to build careers and change lives.  

RWC is continuing its promotion of careers in the trades, particularly plumbing, by expanding its industry partnerships to help create a new future for the skilled trades. Announced earlier this year, RWC partnered with HBI to help alleviate the skilled labor shortage through awareness programs and technical trainings offered more broadly. 

Increasing interest in careers in plumbing is paramount. And while RWC has become HBI's exclusive Trade Sponsor for 22 plumbing programs across the U.S., the company is expanding its reach to support laborers. Through this partnership, RWC will provide products from its diverse portfolio to help students nationwide receive real-life, hands-on training and meaningful careers in the trades.  

Year after year, contractors have issues finding skilled laborers to complete jobs, and this year was no different. Eighty-five percent of contractors report it's difficult to find skilled workers, which is up from 83 percent from Q4 2020, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Q1 Commercial Construction Index. And 34 percent of contractors have had to turn down future work because of the shortage. 

A lack of new entrants into the trades means a smaller pool of talented workers for existing professionals, which can lead to higher labor costs, delays on the jobsite and overworked technicians. The issue stems from many people being unaware of the vibrant career they could have in fields like plumbing, electrical, carpentry and more. That is why it's so important to partner with organizations such as HBI. They provide students with the skills, experience and placement services they need to have a successful career while helping the trade address labor shortages. 

To learn more about RWC's efforts with careers in construction, visit www.sharkbite.com/plumbing-careers and www.holdrite.com/construction-careers.