The Hoover City Council voted Monday night to approve an ordinance supporting the creation of the Central Alabama Home Building Academy, a workforce development initiative designed to address the growing labor shortage in the residential construction industry.
The ordinance authorizes a $20 fee on residential building permits issued in the City of Hoover, with proceeds dedicated to funding the academy. The program will provide no cost training to eligible participants ages 17 and older, preparing them for careers in residential construction trades such as plumbing, electrical work, HVAC and related fields.
“Investing in trade education is about more than filling a labor gap; it’s about opening doors to sustainable, respectable careers that offer a path to achieving the American dream,” said Hoover City Council President Casey Middlebrooks. “By supporting this Academy, Hoover is taking a proactive step to strengthen our local economy and provide a clear pathway for the next generation of skilled professionals. The Council is proud to have built in strong measures for transparency and retention to ensure this program delivers a real, measurable return for both our taxpayers and our workforce.”
Hoover is one of the first municipalities in Alabama to move forward under recently passed statewide legislation that enables cities and towns to support residential construction training academies through permit-based funding mechanisms. The legislation was sponsored by State Rep. Mike Shaw, a former Hoover City Council member, following the success of a similar program in North Alabama.
“Anyone who’s priced plumbing, HVAC, or any other home construction service knows firsthand that prices are ‘through the roof,’” said state Rep. Mike Shaw. “It’s important that we recruit and train talented workers into these fields—both for affordability and to provide excellent economic opportunities for young people entering the workforce. These are great jobs. I worked with local homebuilders to craft the CAHA legislation, and it’s great to see Hoover taking a strong lead in supporting it.”
The Central Alabama Home Building Academy is modeled after a Huntsville-based program that has graduated hundreds of participants and achieved high job-placement rates, helping to replenish a workforce facing significant retirement-driven shortages. Industry leaders note that for every seven skilled tradespeople retiring, only one is currently entering the field, contributing to rising construction and home maintenance costs for residents.
“The Central Alabama Home Building Academy is designed to create real-world exposure to the residential trades and a clear, accessible pathway to a career,” said Nick Miles, Board member of the Academy. “By offering no-cost, hands-on training for those ready to enter the workforce, we are removing the barriers that often keep people from discovering these fields. We aren’t just teaching a trade; we are preparing the next generation of professionals to be successful contributors who will positively impact and build our local communities.”
The permit fee is paid by builders or licensed trade professionals who pull residential permits and is estimated to add approximately $100 to the total cost of new home construction. City leaders emphasized that the long-term benefits of workforce development and cost stabilization outweigh the modest fee increase.
“This initiative is about investing in people and planning for the future,” said Mayor Nick Derzis. “By supporting the Home Building Academy, Hoover is helping ensure that our residents have access to skilled professionals while creating meaningful career pathways for the next generation.”
Plans for the academy’s physical location are still under consideration, with Hoover identified as a preferred central location due to its accessibility within the region.
