Build Something Great Guide
Skilled to Build Michigan Foundation is the nonprofit arm of
the Home Builders Association of Michigan. This guidebook
has been developed to create awareness among the veteran
community of the careers waiting for you. Information on this
program can be found by going to the Veterans section at
www.skilledtobuildmichigan.com.
We have designed this guidebook in a way for you, as a veteran,
to connect to your world. This guidebook is arranged in order
by Military Occupational Code (MOC), and it refers you to the
specific trade in the appendix. The branches of the military are
listed in alphabetical order.
This is by no means a complete listing of every MOC that may
have the transferable skills to the trades. Even if you cannot find
a particular trade you’re interested in, we still highly encourage
you to look at the other professional trades in this guidebook.
Chances are you have the skills we are looking for. Currently, we
have more than 300 employers from around the state of Mich-
igan who would hire a veteran.
If after taking a look at this guidebook you decide to enter the
residential construction industry, please send your resume with
a cover letter to Dawn Crandall at skilledtobuildmichigan@
gmail.com and you will receive a list of employers interested in
hiring a veteran, along with our monthly “I’m Hiring” guide.
Training Alternatives
While many skilled trade occupations do not require a four-year
degree, they do require some training. Currently, an appli-
cant for a Residential Builder or Maintenance and Alteration
Contractor license must complete 60 hours of approved pre-
licensure education prior to taking the examination or submit-
ting a license application to the department. All pre-licensure
education courses must be approved by the Department of
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). A list of approved
pre-licensure education courses is available on the HBA of
Michigan’s website at www.hbaofmichigan.com/licensing.