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The Home Depot's Revolutionary Path to Pro Program

The Home Depot, a leader in home improvement retail, has recently announced a significant initiative that seeks to pave pathways for millions of young individuals into the skilled trades. The new program known as "Path to Pro Skills Explorers" intends to create 15 million opportunities for access to in-demand construction professions by 2032. This ambitious project is designed for students aged 11 to 17, aiming to expose them to various vocational training avenues in a timely manner as they start considering their career futures.

Filling the Skills Gap

Despite an increasing demand for skilled labor in the construction industry, many young individuals are unaware of the lucrative careers available. Research from the National Association of Home Builders reveals that only 6% of youth express interest in pursuing careers in these sectors, even as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that 4.1 million jobs will be created in skilled construction trades over the next decade.

The "Path to Pro Skills Explorers" program aims to bridge this awareness gap by providing free, hands-on career resources specifically designed for educators, parents, and youth mentors. This initiative helps introduce young people to trade skills such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and painting, enabling them to envision their professional future in these high-demand fields.

A Comprehensive Educational Framework

Developed in partnership with Scouting America and tested with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Skills Explorers program provides a robust foundation for those teaching young people about skilled trades. The educational materials are ready-to-use, making it easy for teachers and community leaders to discuss and teach essential skills. Here's how the resources are structured:

For Educators

• - Ready-to-Use Modules: Free guides and videos tailored for easy integration into STEM and career exploration curricula.

For Families

• - Interactive Guides: Practical project guides that encourage parents to explore viable and lucrative career options with their teenagers.

For Youth Organizations

• - Flexible Activities: Modular and easy-to-follow activities created for troop or group meetings, after-school programs, homeschool settings, and community club engagements.

A Commitment to the Future

This new phase in the Path to Pro initiative signifies The Home Depot's ongoing commitment to addressing the skilled labor shortage in the United States. Launched in 2018 to assist veterans transitioning to civilian life, this program has matured into a nationally recognized effort encompassing all 50 states. The Home Depot and its Foundation now support the entire talent development process — from early career awareness to training, hiring, and career advancement.

To date, the Skills Program has graduated over 200,000 individuals, with hundreds of thousands of resumes uploaded onto the Path to Pro Network job board. Partnerships with nonprofit organizations focusing on vocational training have enabled more than 70,000 individuals to achieve certification in various trades.

Roger Krone, CEO of Scouting America, remarked, "Our badges in skilled trades have always provided young people with foundational skills to ease their path towards professional careers." Thanks to The Home Depot Foundation's generous support, the scouting movement is now helping prepare youth not only for life but for sustainable career paths as well.

Jim Clark, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, stressed that preparing youth for the workforce starts much earlier than their entry into it. He noted that when young people get the chance to explore different career paths, build practical skills, and see themselves in various roles, they can begin to imagine the vast possibilities ahead.

How to Get Involved

Educators, youth organizations, and parents interested in this initiative can access the free Skills Explorers curriculum and explore available resources at Path to Pro Skills Explorers. For information on other Path to Pro programs, including free adult training (Skills Program), networking support (Path to Pro Network), and career guidance, visit Path to Pro Program.

About The Home Depot

The Home Depot is the world’s largest retail chain specializing in products for home improvement. As of the end of the second fiscal quarter of 2026, the company operates 2,364 retail stores across 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and parts of Canada and Mexico, employing over 470,000 individuals. The Home Depot is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol HD and is part of both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 Index.

About The Home Depot Foundation

The Home Depot Foundation is a nonprofit organization supported by The Home Depot, aimed at improving housing and the quality of life for U.S. veterans, assisting communities affected by natural disasters, and training skilled workforce professionals. Since 2011, they have invested over $650 million in veteran-related causes and improved over 70,000 homes and facilities for veterans. By 2030, the Foundation pledges to invest $750 million in veteran-related causes and to create 15 million opportunities for exploring skilled trades careers through their Path to Pro program by 2032.

To learn more about The Home Depot Foundation, visit Home Depot Foundation and follow them on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.