The Home Depot Foundation's Major Investment in Skilled Trade Education for Youth Development

Home Depot Foundation's $10 Million Investment in Workforce Training

The Home Depot Foundation has made a significant commitment by investing $10 million aimed at improving access to skilled trade education just as students across the nation head back to school. This funding is designed to expand training opportunities for youth, transitioning military personnel, and others seeking careers in skilled trades. Notably, the initiative includes a new partnership worth $1 million with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) to better expose young individuals to the career pathways available within the construction sector.

The Foundation's initiative is called the Path to Pro program, which aims to address the skilled labor shortage within the construction industry. The upcoming two-year pilot project in Atlanta, Phoenix, and Houston will engage over 1,000 young people in essential career skills such as carpentry, electrical work, HVAC, and plumbing. This project will be integrated into the BGCA's current workforce readiness programs, enabling club members to gain hands-on experience while working alongside Home Depot’s volunteers on community projects.

Erin Izen, Executive Director of The Home Depot Foundation, noted, "Specialized trades offer some of the most promising career paths, yet many young people are unaware of them or lack access. This investment not only empowers our nonprofit partners like BGCA but also enhances the future of the construction sector by equipping students with essential skills."

Despite the existence of approximately 400,000 job openings in skilled construction trades, a minimal portion of young workers expresses interest in pursuing careers in these fields. A study conducted by the Home Builders Institute (HBI) and the University of Denver reveals that this labor deficit could lead to a staggering $10.8 billion loss in the home construction industry due to delays caused by a lack of skilled workers. With many experienced tradespeople approaching retirement, early exposure to these careers is vital for sustainable talent development.

Jennifer Bateman, Senior Vice President of Youth Development at BGCA, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “At Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we strive to guide young people in exploring meaningful opportunities that prepare them for success. This partnership with The Home Depot Foundation expands access to skilled trades, allowing thousands of young individuals to discover their potential and build promising futures.”

In addition to its collaboration with BGCA, The Home Depot Foundation's investment will support existing programs with partners like HBI, which aims to expand its pre-apprenticeship certification to nearly 2,000 more high school students and incorporate 25 additional schools into the program. The Foundation will continue its initiatives with organizations like 100 Black Men of America and maintain services focused on training, certification, and employment for transitioning military members.

Scholarships will also be established for military members transitioning to civilian life, their families, and veterans to enroll in accredited vocational training schools. Moreover, organizations such as Construction Ready and SkillPointe will receive funding for classroom training, hands-on practice, and scholarships aimed at facilitating students’ journeys into skilled trades careers.

These efforts from The Home Depot Foundation align with the company's Path to Pro programs, which include a free online Skills Program and the Path to Pro Network, now featuring a database of over 65,000 candidates seeking employment in skilled trades.

About The Home Depot Foundation

Founded as a nonprofit in 2003, The Home Depot Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the homes and lives of veterans, supporting communities affected by natural disasters, and training skilled professionals to address labor shortages. Since 2011, the Foundation has invested over $550 million in veterans’ causes and improved more than 65,000 homes and facilities for veterans. The Foundation is committed to investing $750 million in veteran-related initiatives by 2030 and $50 million in training the next generation of skilled professionals through the Path to Pro program by 2028. For more information, visit HomeDepotFoundation.org and follow them on Twitter @HomeDepotFound and on Facebook and Instagram @HomeDepotFoundation.

About Path to Pro

Currently, the construction industry in the United States faces over 400,000 job vacancies, a number that continues to rise. Through the Path to Pro program, The Home Depot Foundation offers free training opportunities and scholarships to help underserved communities, youth, and transitioning military personnel start careers in plumbing, carpentry, electricity, HVAC, and more. In addition, The Home Depot connects skilled professionals with job opportunities in construction and provides free virtual classes on career readiness. For more details, please visit PathtoPro.com.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) has provided a safe place for children and teenagers to learn and grow. Clubs offer trusted adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs daily during critical out-of-school hours. BGCA's programs promote academic success, good character, leadership, and healthy lifestyles. With over 5,500 Clubs serving more than 4 million youth, the organization has a presence in cities, towns, public housing, and tribal lands across the country, including support for military families. The national headquarters is located in Atlanta. For additional information about Boys & Girls Clubs of America, visit their pages on Facebook and LinkedIn.