Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) Announces Results of Puerto Rico Workforce Training Program

Gabby Geraci • September 13, 2024

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 


[San Juan, PR, September 13, 2024] – The Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) is proud to unveil the findings of a comprehensive economic study that underscores the significant impact of its Workforce Training Program (WFT) in Puerto Rico. Conducted in partnership with Huertas College and analyzed by Advantage Business Consulting, the study reveals that the WFT program is not only addressing critical labor shortages but also driving substantial economic benefits for the region. 


In the wake of Hurricane María, Puerto Rico faced unprecedented challenges, including a severe shortage of skilled construction workers essential for the Island’s recovery and reconstruction. To tackle this issue, the Puerto Rico Department of Housing (PRDOH) developed the WFT program using Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing. As an awardee of the program IBTS partnered with Huertas College to develop eight courses in construction aimed at equipping residents with the skills necessary to fill these crucial roles. Courses included key trades such as drywall, carpentry, cabinet making, and masonry; project management and supervision; and solar photovoltaic installation. All courses focused on meeting or exceeding current building codes. 


The study highlights the success of this initiative, with 1,165 participants graduating as of June 2024. These newly skilled workers are poised to meet the growing demand in Puerto Rico's construction industry. 


“We first and foremost see the impact of the program on the individual participants, who are now beginning rewarding careers in the construction industry,” said Judelly Hernández, IBTS Program Manager, who oversaw the WFT program. “However, the economic impact of this program extends far beyond these individuals,” she said. “The new jobs created through this initiative are stimulating the local economy, generating additional employment in related sectors. With the focus on current building codes, the professionals trained through this program will not only contribute to helping Puerto Rico rebuild, but also ensure that new structures are resilient to future storms. And those trained in renewable energy installations will also contribute to meeting Puerto Rico’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050.” 


Key findings from the economic study note that IBTS’ WFT program efforts: 

  • Included the creation of 1,165 direct jobs as well as 261 indirect and 348 induced jobs supporting businesses. 
  • Injected over $55 million into the local economy through wages. 
  • Will generate an estimated tax revenue of $5 million annually. 


PRDOH structured the WFT program to benefit low- and moderate-income (LMI) residents, with a national objective that 51% of participants qualify as LMI. Among participants in IBTS’ program, 66% were from low- to moderate-income households, surpassing the required threshold by 15 percentage points. 

This success is largely attributed to the partnership with Huertas College, which provides a curriculum certified by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to meet the industry's needs. 


As Puerto Rico continues its recovery efforts, the need for a skilled workforce remains critical. Although the IBTS WFT program has made significant strides in addressing this demand, new solutions will need to address the remaining jobs needed for reconstruction efforts. IBTS remains committed to continuing to provide solutions for sustained economic growth and resilience in Puerto Rico. 


To read the report, click here.


About IBTS 
IBTS is a national nonprofit organization and trusted advisor and partner to local, state, and federal governments.  

Our nonprofit mission to serve and strengthen communities is advanced through our services. These include building code services and regulatory expertise; compliance and monitoring; community planning; disaster planning, mitigation, and recovery expertise; energy solutions; municipal services; grants management; market research; program management and oversight; resilience services; solar quality management; and workforce development and training.  

IBTS’ work is guided by a Board of Directors with representatives from the Council of State Governments (CSG), the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), the National Association of Counties (NACo), the National Governor’s Association, and the National League of Cities (NLC). 

 

What does it take to deliver resilient housing at scale in the Caribbean? Hint: It's not just funds

September 28, 2026
MIAMI, FL— What does it take to deliver resilient housing at scale in the Caribbean? That question was at the center of a panel featuring James Turner, IBTS Director of Federal Programs, during the 10th Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF) in Miami. The event brought together government officials, developers, investors, infrastructure leaders, utilities, development finance organizations, and public-sector decision makers from more than 30 Caribbean nations and territories to discuss the region's infrastructure priorities and investment needs. James was featured on stage for the "Delivering Affordable and Resilient Housing in the Caribbean" panel discussion, alongside Bermuda housing leader Jeane Nikolai and Caribbean business executive André C. Walcott. The discussion focused on a challenge shared across the region: how to provide safe, affordable housing while strengthening communities against hurricanes, flooding, and other natural hazards. Drawing on IBTS' 5-decade-long experience supporting the US Department of Housing (HUD), as well as our experience in FEMA-funded housing and recovery programs, James emphasized that resilient housing is about much more than construction. Successful programs depend on strong building codes, qualified workers, reliable materials, effective quality assurance, and the systems needed to move projects from funding to implementation. Fellow panelists also shared their interesting perspectives based on their experiences. Jeane Nikolai stressed that homes must be built to withstand the region's climate conditions and backed by dependable warranty terms, noting that a lack of such options can narrow the housing choices available. Resilient construction, she emphasized, is essential to protecting both the homes themselves and the people who live in them. André C. Walcott underscored the importance of consistent building standards to ensure quality construction, along with the need for qualified, well-trained personnel and approved building materials, all of which contribute to safer, better-performing homes. The discussion and audience questions made one point clear: housing shortages are a shared challenge across countries, but the obstacles to meeting housing goals vary from place to place. Funding is a significant concern, but it is not the only driving factor in every case. The conversation reinforced why organizations such as IBTS are needed. Across the Caribbean, governments are investing in housing, infrastructure, and resilience, but many face common implementation challenges, including regulatory requirements, workforce shortages, compliance oversight, and program delivery. IBTS helps bridge those gaps via program management, building code compliance, quality assurance, inspections, resilience planning, and related technical services. Beyond the panel discussion, CARIF provided an opportunity for IBTS to engage directly with government representatives, infrastructure agencies, development institutions, utilities, developers, and private-sector partners working throughout the Caribbean. These conversations highlighted a growing focus on turning funding and policy commitments into real-world projects that strengthen communities and improve long-term resilience. Reflecting on the experience, James noted: "I was honored to participate in discussions with a group of solution-oriented leaders and professionals addressing the critical needs of the Caribbean. I look forward to continuing these important conversations and turning the concepts into actionable implementations." For IBTS, the message from CARIF was clear: resilient housing requires collaboration, practical implementation, and a commitment to quality at every stage. As Caribbean nations continue investing in their future, IBTS remains committed to helping communities transform plans, funding, and policy goals into lasting results. About James Turner: Mr. Turner provides nearly 20 years of professional experience, which includes significant knowledge and experience with manufactured housing standards and regulations. His experience includes technical and regulatory projects, design evaluations, performance assessment, conformity assessment, and technical regulatory research and analysis. About IBTS: With a mission to strengthen communities, IBTS serves as a trusted advisor and partner to local, state, and federal governments in advancing economic development. Its services ensure the effective planning, implementation, and evaluation of renewable energy projects and federally funded energy and sustainability programs—optimizing performance, reducing risk, and promoting the efficient use of public funds. Beyond its expertise in solar quality assurance, IBTS’s Puerto Rico office provides services in federal fund management; disaster planning, mitigation, and recovery; municipal planning; and resilience strategies. As a nonprofit organization, IBTS is guided by a Board of Directors with representatives from the Council of State Governments (CSG) , International City/County Management Association (ICMA) , National Association of Counties (NACo) , National Governors Association (NGA) , and the National League of Cities (NLC) . For more information, visit www.ibts.org .

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IBTS Exceeds Weatherization Goal, Upgrades 103 Puerto Rico Homes

July 21, 2026
The Institute for Building Technology and Safety has completed energy-efficiency, health and safety improvements in 103 Puerto Rico homes through a federally financed weatherization program, exceeding its goal of 100 households in about six weeks. The nonprofit organization, known as IBTS, managed operations and coordinated the latest phase of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce’s Energy Public Policy Program. Weatherization programs are intended to reduce household energy costs by making homes more efficient while addressing conditions that can affect residents’ health and safety. The Puerto Rico initiative prioritized low-income families, older adults and people with disabilities, according to IBTS. The organization did not specify the individual improvements made in each home but said the work was intended to increase comfort, improve living conditions and strengthen resilience. IBTS handled project management, inspections, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, document control and staff training, the organization said. The project also reported a 98% satisfaction rate among participants. “This program demonstrates what is possible when federal resources are translated into practical, measurable improvements for families and communities,” said Agnes Crespo-Quintana, IBTS’s Caribbean regional director. Alvin Miranda-Colón, manager of the Weatherization Assistance Program, said the initiative was intended to make energy more affordable while supporting sustainability and community resilience. IBTS said the project required coordination among government officials, contractors, auditors, inspectors, technology providers and participating communities. The organization said that work also developed procedures, trained personnel and expanded institutional capacity that could be used in future federally financed energy, housing and infrastructure programs. Judelly Hernández-Morales, the IBTS project manager, said cooperation between the public and private sectors helped translate federal funding into improvements for participating households.