The Lowe’s Foundation has announced nearly $8 million in grants to community and technical colleges across the United States in support of skilled trades workforce development initiatives. 

The grants are the first in the foundation’s Gable Grants program, a five-year, $50 million commitment to prepare 50,000 people for careers in fields such as appliance repair, carpentry, construction, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing. Recipients include Coconino County Community College, Columbus Technical College, and Howard College–San Angelo. The foundation also will invest at least an additional $5 million to assist community-based nonprofit organizations and national nonprofit partners with a strong local presence. 

“These deserving schools are driving transformation in the skilled trades workforce through sustainable and inclusive career pathways. We had many outstanding applicants for these grants, which speaks to the urgency needed to increase the capacity for skilled trades labor nationwide,” said Lowe’s executive vice president of human resources and foundation chair Janice Dupré. “Our grants are inclusive of all groups to ensure we achieve the overall goal of preparing 50,000 people for skilled trades careers in five years, including groups that are traditionally underrepresented in the trades, such as women, people of color, people in rural areas, and individuals participating in second-chance programs. We are confident that these college programs will strengthen the skilled trades infrastructure for years to come.”

For a complete list of recipients, see the Lowe’s Foundation website. 

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Andresr)