Unlocking New Trades Opportunities for the Next Generation with The Home Depot Foundation

Every September, Workforce Development Month celebrates the contributions of workforce professionals and raises awareness around skilled trades. As national conversation spotlights the construction industry as a career path for high school graduates, The Home Depot and The Home Depot Foundation remain committed to providing aspiring skilled tradespeople with the tools they need to be successful in the industry.

There are currently more than 400,000 open jobs in fields like carpentry, plumbing, electrical and HVAC. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industry is projected to grow to more than 3.9 million open jobs on the market in the next decade. While these may be daunting statistics, it creates a great opportunity to invest in the next generation of skilled talent.

In honor of National Tradesmen Day, The Home Depot Foundation has announced more than $2 million in new grants to address the skilled labor gap in the United States.

Home Builders Institute

The Foundation and trades training nonprofit partner Home Builders Institute (HBI) launched a partnership with 100 Black Men of America, Inc.  to increase skilled trades training and career opportunities for youth in 2021.

Now, through more than $500,000 in additional funding, the organizations will continue to provide HBI's Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training curriculum, mentorship and training in Atlanta, Philadelphia and Oakland while expanding the program to students in Las Vegas.

Earlier this year, the Foundation awarded a $710,000 grant to HBI to further existing programs to train separating service members, youth and more in the skilled trades.

SkillPointe Foundation

A $775,000 grant from The Home Depot Foundation to SkillPointe Foundation will enable more than 200 scholarships to students attending trade schools to pursue a career in construction.

Folds of Honor

The Foundation is also granting more than $400,000 to its nonprofit partner Folds of Honor to enable up to 200 trade school scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen and disabled service members.

About Path to Pro

Since 2018, The Foundation's Path to Pro program and training programs have introduced more than 245,000 people to the skilled trades and trained more than 43,000 youth, high school students, underserved communities and separating U.S. military servicemembers.

Apart from The Foundation's work to bridge the skilled labor gap, The Home Depot has connected more than 50,000 jobseekers with Pro customers through their online job marketplace, the Path to Pro Network. More than 6,900 participants have graduated through their Path to Pro Skills Program, a free, on-demand program that gives participants the necessary training to secure entry-level positions in the skilled trades.

For more information and to see trade resources available in English and Spanish visit PathtoPro.com.

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