In the 1990s, Connie Valliere created Billy the Builder Bear to teach kids about the knowledge and labor required to build a house. Now, Skilled to Build Michigan Foundation has the chance to introduce 20,000 children to Billy the Builder Bear and interest them in pursuing the skilled trades. This project involves Michigan legislators and adults who work in industry going into classrooms, when possible, to read the book, hand out copies, and answer children’s questions.
Skilled to Build Michigan Foundation works to build awareness of the many career opportunities in the residential construction industry. They are working on a daily basis to fill the labor shortage being felt in the residential construction industry. By sharing Billy the Builder Bear with young elementary students, they want kids to learn about the skilled trades and to see them as an opportunity from an early age.
For more information about Billy the Builder Bear and Skilled to Build Michigan Foundation, visit https://skilledtobuildmichigan.com/#/billy-the-builder-bear
