Skilled Trades

The strength of Rebuilding Together’s work in the Gulf relies on the continued participation of highly skilled volunteers, with your help we can accelerate the rebuilding in the Gulf. In order to reach our objective, Rebuild 1000, in partnership with the Corporation for National & Community Service, is sending out A Call to Action among highly skilled volunteers with plumbing, electrical, roofing or carpentry skills. Rebuilding Together has many existing partnerships with skilled trade associations and volunteer members. Partners like NAHB and PHCC have contributed to our rebuilding projects all over the country. Under the new Call to Action campaign, we are trying to strengthen these relationships and foster new ones that will continue to move the Rebuild 1000 efforts forward in the Gulf region.

Do skilled volunteers participate in a Work Week just like other volunteers?

As a result of the nature of the storm and flooding in the Gulf, homes had to be totally gutted. RT is taking homes from the studs all the way up to the finished product. This is different than RT’s typical home rebuilding.

Skilled volunteers accelerate this process. One skilled volunteer can provide leadership over many unskilled volunteers resulting in a multiplier effect on the job site.

After the storm, many of the local skilled workers have needed to focus their efforts on doing paid work in order to sustain their own families and home repairs. Not having local volunteer support to rebuild homes has hindered rebuilding in the Gulf.

How do skilled volunteers benefit from volunteering in the Gulf?

A skilled volunteer can be anyone with electrical, plumbing, drywall or carpentry skills. Volunteers may be drawn from an affiliate’s existing skilled trade partners or be recruited from local chapters of RT’s National partners. A skilled volunteer can be anyone from a Master plumber to a general construction worker, a member of a skilled trade association or a well-rounded and experienced handy person that has served as an experienced house captain on a RT work site.

What is considered a skilled volunteer?

By participating in a Rebuild 1000 National Work Week in the Gulf, skilled trades’ experts are part of a great cause that preserves affordable homeownership and revitalizes communities. Trade Associations, Unions, and independent trade companies experience increased visibility through community service. Skilled trade groups that work together in the Gulf return to their jobs at home with a renewed sense of trust and teamwork. They can also use the work week as a professional development opportunity or they can accrue required work hours for their trade association membership.

Why is there a need for skilled volunteers in the Gulf?

Skilled volunteers can and do participate in a work week just like other volunteers but are usually encouraged to be leaders on the job site. Some skilled volunteers may come a few days before a work week to help plan the tasks for the rest of the volunteers. Skilled volunteers that do this are known as House Captains.