Grants bring Lowe's Foundation's total support
for skilled trades workforce development to nearly $11 million in 2023 as part of five-year,
$50 million commitment
MOORESVILLE, N.C., Nov. 1, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- The Lowe's Foundation today announced a total
of $3 million in Gable Grants to
three national nonprofit organizations that are delivering
innovative and scalable skilled trades training in local
communities nationwide. The $1
million grants are being awarded to Goodwill Industries
International, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and
the National Center for Construction Education and Research
(NCCER).
"Each of these organizations brings something different to the
table through their robust network of skilled trades training
programs and a strong local and national presence," said Janice
Dupré, Lowe's executive vice president of human resources and chair
of the Lowe's Foundation. "These programs, paired with the grants
to community and technical colleges announced this summer, are a
critical step as the Lowe's Foundation continues to help build a
sustainable infrastructure of innovative skilled trades programs
across our communities."
These grants will fund programs that prepare more individuals
for skilled trades careers, including providing accelerated
training, coaching, wraparound services and targeted workforce
development in communities impacted by natural disasters.
Goodwill will use the funding to support the Goodwill
Opportunity Accelerator, a workforce development program that
provides holistic wraparound services to help participants from any
background develop foundational digital and job-ready skills and
pursue a pathway into an in-demand industry position. This comes to
life through the support of strong partner relationships with
employers, credentialing organizations and funders.
"We are extremely grateful for this grant from the Lowe's
Foundation, which will enhance the dignity and quality of life for
job seekers nationwide," said Martin
Scaglione, chief mission officer of Goodwill Industries
International. "The critical support provided by Gable Grants will
help us leverage the Goodwill Opportunity Accelerator, our holistic
workforce delivery model. This will increase access to skilled
trades training and help dedicated tradespeople connect with
employers who need them."
LISC will fund 12 partners that offer industry-specific
training, financial coaching, income support access and wraparound
services to skilled trades job seekers in local communities.
"We know that building bridges between workers and potential
employers at the community level, combined with culturally relevant
training and coaching support, is a highly effective model," said
LISC CEO Michael T. Pugh. "This
grant will allow us to ramp up access to training in the skilled
trades in places it has been historically lacking, and it will help
lead hundreds of people into fulfilling careers."
NCCER will expand its Community Construction
Academies to underserved individuals in response to community and
workforce needs. These boot camp-style training programs will build
upon a successful tuition-free, rapid recovery construction
training pilot funded by Lowe's last fall to help rebuild
Southwest Florida communities
after Hurricane Ian. The academies allow program participants to
earn industry-recognized NCCER construction craft credentials.
"We see an opportunity to engage and train individuals to help
with rebuilding efforts locally and provide opportunities for
fulfilling careers in construction that can last a lifetime," said
Boyd Worsham, president and CEO of
NCCER. "We're grateful for the opportunity to scale this program.
We know these academies can transform both communities and
lives."
The Lowe's Foundation has committed $50
million over five years to help prepare 50,000 people for
careers in skilled trades. The Foundation awarded Gable Grants
totaling nearly $8 million to
community and technical colleges in July and plans to announce its
first cohort of community-based nonprofit grant recipients in early
2024.
About the Lowe's Foundation
The Lowe's Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) organization
founded by Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW), is developing 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 Lowes.com/Foundation and follow on Twitter,
Facebook and LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Sebastian Hale
Lowe's Foundation
sebastian.hale@lowes.com
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SOURCE Lowe’s Foundation