Ken Gear

Building Talent Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 2019 by leading residential construction companies to address the skilled labor shortage in the residential construction industry. The private company is based in Washington, DC. The organization advances education, training, and career development aligned with industry needs through three strategic pillars: building the talent pipeline by engaging youth and aligning educational programs with employer requirements; building talent connections by fostering collaboration among employers, educators, and job seekers; and building talent engagement by supporting workforce development and promoting diversity, inclusion, and entrepreneurship. Building Talent Foundation unites stakeholders such as builders, trade partners, suppliers, manufacturers, educators, government agencies, and workforce development organizations to recruit, train, mentor, and place new talent in residential construction careers. Its initiatives include school-based mentoring programs, social media campaigns, and resources like research studies and educational materials, with an emphasis on upskilling the workforce and improving homebuilding efficiency, quality, and affordability. The CEO of the company is Branka Minic.