WEALTH
STREAM NEWS
STREAM NEWS
Stay up to date with the latest news from the Hispanic Wealth Project
Building Wealth Through Construction: Insights from Sergio Barajas, Executive Director of National Hispanic Construction Alliance (NHCA)
We’re thrilled to spotlight Sergio Barajas, Executive Director of the National Hispanic Construction Alliance (NHCA). Sergio shared his insights on how NHCA is transforming the construction industry by empowering Hispanic workers and contractors to build structures, wealth and opportunities for their communities. Over his 30-year career in housing development, construction and financing, Sergio is able to leverage and apply his wealth of experiences to his efforts at NHCA.
Hispanics comprise a significant portion of the construction workforce—up to 30.31% nationally, and over 50% in some states. As Sergio explained, “Hispanics are definitely very important to the construction industry.” However, many Hispanic contractors face barriers such as limited access to capital and business knowledge. “The Hispanic contractor is a great construction worker but often lacks business acumen,” Sergio noted. “Our goal is to elevate their business skills to match their technical expertise.”
To address these challenges, NHCA commissioned a groundbreaking report, “The State of Hispanics in Construction”, which serves as a baseline for understanding the current landscape and identifying areas for growth. The report highlights the critical role immigrants play in driving workforce growth and emphasizes the need for policies that create certainty around immigration and labor availability.
“Uncertainty is one of the most challenging things for any environment,” Sergio stressed. “We need to address immigration issues to ensure a stable workforce pool.”
Other policy priorities include promoting diversity in the workforce—such as increasing opportunities for women—and addressing regulatory challenges that impact contractors’ ability to compete effectively.
NHCA has launched several initiatives aimed at equipping Hispanic workers with the tools they need to succeed. These include three academies:
“We’re not reinventing the wheel,” Sergio explained. “We’re aggregating resources to make them accessible—almost like becoming the Amazon of construction information.” One standout initiative is the translation of blueprint reading and bidding training materials into Spanish, which has already helped many contractors climb to the next rung on the construction ladder.
For Sergio, NHCA’s work aligns closely with the mission of the Hispanic Wealth Project: fostering entrepreneurship and wealth-building opportunities for Latinos. He described how helping contractors move from subcontractor roles to prime contractors can have an immediate financial impact: “That’s a 15-20% difference on one job alone.”
This ripple effect extends beyond individual contractors, benefiting their employees, families, and communities. “By creating greater ownership and access to larger contracts, we’re building wealth not just for individuals but for entire communities,” he said.
When asked about his philosophy on wealth creation, Sergio emphasized financial literacy and smart spending habits: “Start with a budget—know where your money is going. Invest wisely and avoid over-leveraging yourself.” For him, true wealth means financial security and the ability to handle life’s surprises without stress.
As a new grandfather, Sergio reflected on his legacy: “I want my family—my kids and grandkids—to see that financial security comes from responsible planning and diversification.”
NHCA continues its national expansion with chapters in seven markets, including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Nashville, with plans for eight more cities like Orlando and Kansas City. The organization’s partnership with NAHREP has been instrumental in this growth by providing funding, credibility, and access to networks of local contractors.
Sergio encourages readers to explore NHCA’s “The State of Hispanics in Construction” report at nhca.pro and “think about how you can partner with us locally or nationally.”
NHCA is paving the way for Hispanic workers to achieve not just professional success but also long-term financial stability—a mission that resonates deeply with our goals at the Hispanic Wealth Project. As Sergio put it best: “We’re not just building structures; we’re building wealth for generations.”
Disclosure: Please note that the information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.
Hispanics comprise a significant portion of the construction workforce—up to 30.31% nationally, and over 50% in some states. As Sergio explained, “Hispanics are definitely very important to the construction industry.” However, many Hispanic contractors face barriers such as limited access to capital and business knowledge. “The Hispanic contractor is a great construction worker but often lacks business acumen,” Sergio noted. “Our goal is to elevate their business skills to match their technical expertise.”
To address these challenges, NHCA commissioned a groundbreaking report, “The State of Hispanics in Construction”, which serves as a baseline for understanding the current landscape and identifying areas for growth. The report highlights the critical role immigrants play in driving workforce growth and emphasizes the need for policies that create certainty around immigration and labor availability.
“Uncertainty is one of the most challenging things for any environment,” Sergio stressed. “We need to address immigration issues to ensure a stable workforce pool.”
Other policy priorities include promoting diversity in the workforce—such as increasing opportunities for women—and addressing regulatory challenges that impact contractors’ ability to compete effectively.
NHCA has launched several initiatives aimed at equipping Hispanic workers with the tools they need to succeed. These include three academies:
- Trade Workers Academy: Focused on technical training for roles like electricians and plumbers.
- Construction Management Academy: Designed to help workers transition into management roles.
- Community Development Academy: Aimed at fostering local partnerships and community growth.
“We’re not reinventing the wheel,” Sergio explained. “We’re aggregating resources to make them accessible—almost like becoming the Amazon of construction information.” One standout initiative is the translation of blueprint reading and bidding training materials into Spanish, which has already helped many contractors climb to the next rung on the construction ladder.
For Sergio, NHCA’s work aligns closely with the mission of the Hispanic Wealth Project: fostering entrepreneurship and wealth-building opportunities for Latinos. He described how helping contractors move from subcontractor roles to prime contractors can have an immediate financial impact: “That’s a 15-20% difference on one job alone.”
This ripple effect extends beyond individual contractors, benefiting their employees, families, and communities. “By creating greater ownership and access to larger contracts, we’re building wealth not just for individuals but for entire communities,” he said.
When asked about his philosophy on wealth creation, Sergio emphasized financial literacy and smart spending habits: “Start with a budget—know where your money is going. Invest wisely and avoid over-leveraging yourself.” For him, true wealth means financial security and the ability to handle life’s surprises without stress.
As a new grandfather, Sergio reflected on his legacy: “I want my family—my kids and grandkids—to see that financial security comes from responsible planning and diversification.”
NHCA continues its national expansion with chapters in seven markets, including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Nashville, with plans for eight more cities like Orlando and Kansas City. The organization’s partnership with NAHREP has been instrumental in this growth by providing funding, credibility, and access to networks of local contractors.
Sergio encourages readers to explore NHCA’s “The State of Hispanics in Construction” report at nhca.pro and “think about how you can partner with us locally or nationally.”
NHCA is paving the way for Hispanic workers to achieve not just professional success but also long-term financial stability—a mission that resonates deeply with our goals at the Hispanic Wealth Project. As Sergio put it best: “We’re not just building structures; we’re building wealth for generations.”
Disclosure: Please note that the information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.
More Wealth Stream News
Hispanic Wealth Project Pillars
Click on one of the pillars below for more articles.
