Arlington Heights, IL (January 4, 2018) — SGC Horizon’s Skilled Labor campaign and This Old House Generation Next will benefit from increased exposure, participation and funds from planned awareness and fund-driving events during Design & Construction Week, Jan. 9-11, 2018.

Continuing their dedication to closing the skilled labor gap in 2018, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) will kick off the second year of SGC Horizon’s Skilled Labor campaign and This Old House Generation Next to encourage youth to join the skilled trades and to fuel the Skilled Labor Fund, an industry-wide effort to address the shortage of skilled labor entering the residential construction market.

Supporting the initiative will be dedicated events hosted by the co-located NAHB’s International Builders’ Show® (IBS) and NKBA’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), including an opening ceremonies address by Norm Abram of This Old House on how attendees can get involved in the Skilled Labor fund and campaign. NAHB will co-host an event on January 9 with SGC Horizon and This Old House in the Professional Builder Show Village neighborhood in the IBS Outdoor Exhibits from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. On January 10, the NKBA and KBIS will co-host a “Beers for Trade Careers” fundraising event with This Old House and its television personalities in The Backyard from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

To raise even more funds and spur industry involvement, SGC Horizon and This Old House will hold a silent auction on Jan. 9 and 10 for all show attendees. The auction will feature products and experiences donated by brands supporting the initiative. Brands looking to get involved can contact SGC Horizon’s Tony Mancini at tmancini@sgcmail.com.

The NKBA is committing $10,000 in scholarship dollars to the effort, while also dedicating communications throughout 2018 through its skilled labor initiative aimed at changing traditional perceptions about vocational careers. SGC Horizon and the NAHB are each contributing $5,000 to the fund.

For more information, visit www.SkilledLaborFund.org.