Lowe's Foundation partners with SkillsUSA to celebrate 'Trades Stars' from the Toolbelt Generation on SkillsUSA National Signing Day

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Lowe's Foundation partners with SkillsUSA to celebrate 'Trades Stars' from the Toolbelt Generation on SkillsUSA National Signing Day. The foundation awards $1 million to SkillsUSA and organizes blue carpet events at select Lowe's stores nationwide on May 7 to inspire Gen Z to join the skilled trades movement. SkillsUSA National Signing Day will honor students committing to skilled trades jobs, apprenticeships, or further education, with over 500,000 students from 4,700 schools across the country having graduated since 2019.

Positive

• The Lowe's Foundation awarded a $1 million Gable Grant to SkillsUSA to support students pursuing skilled trades careers.
• Lowe's will host blue carpet events at select stores nationwide on May 7 to honor students, families, and future employers.
• The partnership aims to connect students to educators, businesses, and industry partners through SkillsUSA's Work-Based Learning initiative.
• SkillsUSA National Signing Day celebrates students signing their intent to pursue skilled trades careers or further education.
• Over 500,000 students from 4,700 SkillsUSA schools have graduated since 2019.

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• None.

Foundation awards $1 million to SkillsUSA and rolls out the blue carpet for students at select Lowe's stores nationwide on May 7, inspiring Gen Z to join skilled trades movement

MOORESVILLE, N.C., April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- To honor the future generation of Pros who are choosing careers in skilled trades, the Lowe's Foundation has awarded a $1 million Gable Grant to SkillsUSA. The foundation will join SkillsUSA to celebrate thousands of students nationwide on National Signing Day as they commit to skilled trades jobs, apprenticeships or further education in their trade. Select Lowe's stores will host blue carpet events for students, their families and future employers.

In addition to SkillsUSA National Signing Day, the Lowe's Foundation will support SkillsUSA's Work-Based Learning initiative that connects student members to educators, businesses and industry partners. The initiative will prepare more job-ready skilled trades professionals and allow students to obtain industry-recognized certifications, badges, micro-credentials and more.  

"Through partnerships with SkillsUSA and the growing generation of future trades professionals, we are helping the world see that trades careers are not just to be respected but revered," said Janice Dupré, Lowe's executive vice president of human resources and chair of the Lowe's Foundation. "These workers are making smart and sensible career choices that will benefit our country's homes, neighborhoods and communities for decades to come."

SkillsUSA National Signing Day on May 7 will celebrate future skilled tradespeople as they sign their letter of intent to further their education or pursue skilled trades career pathways. Since launching in 2019, over 500,000 students from 4,700 SkillsUSA schools across the country have graduated.

Lowe's will host a blue carpet runway to honor local SkillsUSA students as "Trades Stars" at stores in Charlotte, Chicago, Houston, Miami and San Diego. As part of the national campaign, SkillsUSA and the Lowe's Foundation are encouraging students, teachers and parents to engage on social media using the #TradesStars hashtag, promoting students as they begin their next chapter.

"SkillsUSA is empowering students to become skilled professionals who can help meet the country's skilled labor demands – including those in the construction field – for years to come," said Chelle Travis, executive director of SkillsUSA. "With the Lowe's Foundation's support and partnership, we're confident that Trades Stars will elevate the stories of our Signing Day students and inspire other individuals as they embark on their own skilled trades journeys."

Since 2023, the Lowe's Foundation has awarded over $18 million in Gable Grants to 25 organizations offering innovative and scalable skilled trades training across the U.S. Through these grants, program participants are strengthening their skills across carpentry and construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and appliance repair. The next grant application cycle for community-based nonprofits will run from August 1-31. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/Foundation. 

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 2027, 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 Lowes.com/Foundation and follow on Instagram, X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students, empowering them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. SkillsUSA represents more than 400,000 career and technical education students and teachers in middle schools, high schools and college / postsecondary institutions nationwide. Those members represent more than 130 in-demand occupational areas, from 3-D animation to welding. A vital solution to the skills gap, SkillsUSA has served nearly 15 million members since its founding in 1965. Learn more at skillsusa.org and follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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

Tom Kercheval
SkillsUSA
tkercheval@skillsusa.org 

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SOURCE Lowe’s Foundation

FAQ

What is the Lowe's Foundation partnering with SkillsUSA for?

The Lowe's Foundation is partnering with SkillsUSA to celebrate 'Trades Stars' on SkillsUSA National Signing Day and support students pursuing skilled trades careers.

When will SkillsUSA National Signing Day take place?

SkillsUSA National Signing Day is scheduled for May 7.

How much did the Lowe's Foundation award to SkillsUSA?

The Lowe's Foundation awarded a $1 million Gable Grant to SkillsUSA.

How many students have graduated from SkillsUSA schools since 2019?

Over 500,000 students from 4,700 SkillsUSA schools have graduated since 2019.

What initiative will the Lowe's Foundation support with SkillsUSA?

The Lowe's Foundation will support SkillsUSA's Work-Based Learning initiative to connect students to educators, businesses, and industry partners.