/C O R R E C T I O N -- Lowe's Foundation/

Rhea-AI Summary

Lowe's Foundation (NYSE:LOW) has expanded its commitment to addressing America's skilled trades labor shortage with an additional investment, bringing total funding to $43 million across 28 states. The foundation announced 12 new Gable Grants recipients, expanding its nationwide network to 60 community and technical colleges.

This initiative is part of a five-year, $50 million commitment aimed at preparing 50,000 trades professionals in various fields including carpentry, construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and property maintenance. The program addresses a critical workforce gap that causes a $10 billion annual economic loss in the housing industry, according to the National Association of Homebuilders.

Notable recipients include institutions focusing on disaster recovery, infrastructure projects, and specialized programs for underserved communities, with several schools receiving second-round funding to expand existing successful programs.

Positive

• Total investment increased to $43 million across 28 states, approaching the $50 million commitment target
• Program expansion to 60 community and technical colleges, adding 12 new institutions
• Addressing $10 billion annual economic loss in housing industry due to labor shortage
• High success rates reported (e.g., Texas State Technical College's 87% job placement rate)
• Strategic focus on post-disaster recovery and major infrastructure projects

Negative

• Significant skilled labor gap still exists in the housing industry
• Program limited to invited institutions only for next grant cycle

News Market Reaction – LOW

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In the news release, Lowe's Foundation Investment in Solving Skilled Trades Labor Shortage Grows to $43 Million, issued 18-Jul-2025 by Lowe's Foundation over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that in the last paragraph reading "Click here for a Spanish version of the press release" the hyperlink behind "Click here" has been updated. The complete, corrected release follows:

Lowe's Foundation Investment in Solving Skilled Trades Labor Shortage Grows to $43 Million

Third cohort of community and technical colleges grant recipients will launch and expand new training programs for thousands of aspiring tradespeople

MOORESVILLE, N.C., July 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lowe's Foundation today announced 12 new Gable Grants for community and technical colleges to help solve America's critical skilled trades worker shortage. The funding expands the foundation's nationwide network of Gable Grants recipients to 60 organizations, each delivering scalable pathways into high-demand trades careers.

Through expanded training, grants to this cohort will help build the next generation of skilled tradespeople at a time when the industry needs it the most. According to the National Association of Homebuilders, the skilled labor gap drives a $10 billion annual economic loss in the housing industry.

"Collectively, we are writing a comeback story for the skilled trades industry," said Janice Dupré, Lowe's executive vice president of human resources and chair of the Lowe's Foundation. "Through our Gable Grants network, these schools join a community of innovators helping one another effectively recruit, train and employ the people America needs to revitalize our infrastructure."

Since launching the Gable Grants program in 2023, the foundation has invested $43 million across 28 states. The grants are part of a five-year, $50 million commitment to help community and technical colleges and nonprofits recruit, train and prepare 50,000 trades professionals across carpentry and construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and property maintenance.

The new Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants support the following community and technical colleges:

Blue Ridge Community College (Flat Rock, North Carolina) will support ongoing Hurricane Helene recovery efforts through expanded training for advanced manufacturing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and construction apprenticeships. The grant will help Blue Ridge hire certified instructors and offer tuition support to students from across Western North Carolina.

Cape Fear Community College (Wilmington, North Carolina) will introduce plumbing, facility maintenance and core construction programs at two correctional facilities and an adult high school program. The college's curriculum features integrated virtual reality training along with industry recognized certifications to meet the needs of its growing employer network.

Community College of Rhode Island (Warwick, Rhode Island) will expand its Electrical Apprenticeship and Ready to Build programs to address the growing demand for skilled trades professionals. The school will establish two state-of-the-art lab spaces to increase enrollment capacity and develop a credit-bearing academic pathway that integrates into a new construction management certificate and degree program.

Florida State College at Jacksonville (Jacksonville, Florida) will strengthen communities and improve access for aspiring electricians, construction professionals and HVAC technicians through training at community sites. The grant will also support the recruitment of skilled instructors and fund educational materials, spaces and equipment, addressing workforce needs for large construction projects in Jacksonville, including the $8 billion downtown revitalization and $1.4 billion NFL stadium renovation.

Los Angeles Community College District (Los Angeles) will enhance its skilled trades curriculum while expanding the capacity of its Construction, Maintenance and Utilities programs. In the aftermath of the 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfires, the program will focus on fire recovery with disaster-specific training to prepare a workforce for major infrastructure projects.

Germanna Community College (Fredericksburg, Virginia) will build and deploy mobile training units to rural communities, public schools and correctional facilities. Germanna Community College has trained over 3,500 students in 2025, the most among Virginia schools awarding skilled trades credentials.

Ivy Tech Community College (Indianapolis) is receiving its second Gable Grant to launch a new Building and Property Maintenance Technician program and enhance its HVAC training. This grant will focus on dislocated workers and second-chance learners and will expand trades programs across the college system, which includes 19 campuses throughout Indiana.

J.F. Ingram State Technical College (Deatsville, Alabama) exclusively serves Alabama's incarcerated population and individuals under supervised release. The Gable Grant will unlock access to electrical training through virtual reality simulation software and shop-based learning. The vocational training program supports reentry and long-term career pathways by equipping students with invaluable technical skills and expertise to meet industry workforce needs and gain a competitive advantage in the job market.

Johnson College of Technology (Scranton, Pennsylvania) will expand its capacity and programming at two campuses through its HVAC, Electrical Construction Technology and carpentry and cabinetmaking labs. The school is the only career technical college in Northeastern Pennsylvania and partners with industry employers to prepare students for residential, commercial and industrial careers across the region.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (Perkinston, Mississippi) is receiving its second Gable Grant to introduce electrical technology evening courses and transform its construction trades program. This will double the school's capacity to prepare electricians and support a Fast-Track Pathway that offers accelerated transfer credits, internships and apprenticeships to meet the construction sector's growing demands.

Palm Beach State College (Lake Worth, Florida) is receiving its second Gable Grant to help expand its construction trades programs and add a simulation lab. The expansion will complement four mobile units and bring HVAC and electrical training to the school's Palm Beach Gardens campus as well as rural high schools in South Florida.

Texas State Technical College (Waco, Texas) will equip a nearly 130,000 square-foot Construction Technology Center while offering tool stipends to eligible students. The school boasts an 87% job placement rate and offers associate degrees and certificates of completion, as well as short-term, noncredit training aligned with Texas' workforce needs.

The next Gable Grant application cycle for community-based nonprofits opens from Aug. 1 to Aug. 31 and is by invitation only. To learn more about eligibility guidelines and skilled trades career benefits, visit LowesFoundation.org. 

About The Lowe's Foundation
The Lowe's Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) organization founded by Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW), is helping develop a community of skilled tradespeople to build and revitalize our homes, neighborhoods and infrastructure for the future. From 2023 through 2028, the Lowe's Foundation is investing $50 million to help prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers through grants to community and technical colleges, community-based nonprofit organizations and national nonprofit partners with a strong local presence. To learn more about the Lowe's Foundation, visit LowesFoundation.org and follow on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Media Contacts
Sebastian Hale
Lowe's Foundation
Sebastian.hale@lowes.com

Click here for a Spanish version of the press release

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SOURCE Lowe’s Foundation

FAQ

How much has Lowe's Foundation invested in skilled trades training programs as of 2025?

Lowe's Foundation has invested $43 million across 28 states through its Gable Grants program, as part of a larger $50 million, five-year commitment.

How many institutions are now part of Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants network?

The network has expanded to 60 community and technical colleges with the addition of 12 new grant recipients in the third cohort.

What is the goal of Lowe's Foundation's Gable Grants program?

The program aims to train and prepare 50,000 trades professionals across carpentry, construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and property maintenance fields to address the critical skilled trades worker shortage.

What impact does the skilled labor shortage have on the housing industry?

According to the National Association of Homebuilders, the skilled labor gap results in a $10 billion annual economic loss in the housing industry.

Which trades are covered by the Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants program?

The program covers training in carpentry, construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and property maintenance.

When does the next Gable Grant application cycle open?

The next application cycle for community-based nonprofits opens from August 1 to August 31, 2025, and is by invitation only.