Enzweiler Building Institute has been awarded a USDA Rural Development Grant to launch the Rural Construction Workforce Accelerator, an initiative aimed at expanding access to skilled trades education and workforce development opportunities in rural Northern Kentucky.
The Rural Construction Workforce Accelerator will provide training opportunities to individuals who may not be able to travel to EBI’s existing campus locations, helping to build a stronger construction workforce, support local employers, and create pathways to high-demand careers in the skilled trades. The program will expand access to construction career exploration, workforce training, employer engagement, and business development opportunities in Gallatin, Grant, Owen, and Pendleton counties.
By bringing industry-recognized training closer to underserved communities, the initiative will help address workforce shortages in high-demand trades such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, welding, carpentry, and other construction-related fields, while supporting the long-term growth of rural communities and small construction businesses.
“Employers across Northern Kentucky consistently tell us that workforce shortages are one of the biggest challenges facing their businesses,” said Diane McConnell, director of workforce development for Enzweiler Building Institute. “This grant allows us to meet people where they are, bring training directly into rural communities, and create pathways to rewarding careers while helping local businesses grow.”
At the center of the initiative is a new Mobile Training Unit that will serve as a traveling classroom and recruitment hub. The unit will include a mobile office for outreach and enrollment support, as well as a hands-on training trailer equipped for skilled trades demonstrations and workforce development activities. By bringing training directly into communities, EBI will reduce transportation and access barriers that often prevent rural residents from exploring careers in the trades.
The project will engage a wide range of participants, including high school students, adults seeking career changes, veterans, underemployed workers, and incumbent employees looking to advance their skills. For rural students, the Mobile Training Unit creates access to career exploration and hands-on learning opportunities that may not otherwise be available in their communities.
Rather than requiring students to travel to an EBI campus, EBI will bring skilled trades demonstrations and career awareness activities directly to local schools and community locations, helping students discover rewarding career pathways in construction, HVAC, plumbing, electrical work, welding, and other trades at an earlier age.
In addition to workforce recruitment and training, the initiative will provide business-capacity development opportunities for small construction companies through workshops focused on project management, estimating, leadership, safety, workforce supervision, technology adoption, and other operational topics.
The Rural Construction Workforce Accelerator is expected to strengthen the workforce pipeline for small and emerging construction businesses while helping employers address critical labor shortages that impact their ability to grow, serve customers, and take on new projects. The initiative will connect participants to career pathways, apprenticeships, licensure preparation, and employment opportunities throughout the region.
The project aligns with USDA Rural Development’s mission to support the startup, development, and expansion of small and emerging businesses in rural communities. By investing in workforce development and expanding access to skilled trades education, the initiative will help strengthen local economies, support business growth, and create long-term opportunities for residents throughout rural Northern Kentucky.
“Many students in our rural communities have never had the opportunity to experience the skilled trades firsthand,” said Brian Miller, president of Enzweiler Building Institute and executive vice president of the Building Industry Association of Northern Kentucky. “This initiative allows us to bring those opportunities directly to them, helping students explore careers that offer excellent wages, long-term stability, and a pathway to success without leaving their community.”
Enzweiler Building Institute