Focusing on one of the most critical worker shortages the U.S. economy is facing, the Lowe’s Foundation has committed $50 million over the next five years to prepare 50,000 people for skilled trade careers through grants to community and technical colleges and community-based nonprofits.
“With the skilled trades industry facing a labor crisis, the Lowe’s Foundation is now poised to help train tens of thousands of qualified skilled tradespeople, giving each of them the opportunity to build a rewarding career and make lasting impacts in communities across the country,” says Janice Dupré, Lowe’s executive vice president of human resources and chair of the Lowe’s Foundation.
“We are bringing our network, our expertise, and our resources to address this critical need and help ensure that the next generation of builders has the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the demands of our modern world.”
The national Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grants program is now accepting applications for two-year grants to help build a sustainable infrastructure of innovative training programs to cultivate more job-ready tradespeople. Additionally, the Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grants program will strive to increase the number of young and diverse tradespeople, especially from underrepresented and rural communities.
“Community colleges are uniquely qualified to provide the skills education necessary to fill the workforce pipeline,” says Walter G. Bumphus, president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges. “The commitment to skilled trades education in our community colleges by the Lowe’s Foundation will help thousands of hard-working individuals access and enter stable, fulfilling careers in fields like electrical, plumbing, HVAC, construction, appliance repair, and carpentry.
“There are more than 10 million students—almost half of all U.S. undergraduates—enrolled in the associate-degree granting institutions we represent. These institutions are deeply ingrained in their communities and well-placed to drive an increased interest in skilled trades training.”
The Lowe’s Foundation will run two separate annual grant application cycles. The first will focus on community and technical colleges with innovative skilled trades education programs for post-secondary aged adults. The application portal has launched and applications will be accepted until April 10, 2023.
The second round will focus on community-based nonprofit organizations, and the application period will be announced in the second half of 2023. The Lowe’s Foundation will host informational webinars on March 9 and March 22 for community and technical colleges that are interested in applying for a grant.
