The Home Depot Foundation Invests $10M into Skilled Trades Education

In an effort to raise awareness for career opportunities in the construction trades, The Home Depot Foundation is committing $10 million to expand access to training and education in the skilled trades field. Part of this investment includes a $1 million partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). The partnership will help to fund a two-year pilot program that will expose more than 1,000 children and teens across Atlanta, Phoenix, and Houston to careers in carpentry, electrical work, HVAC, and plumbing.

The initiative will be integrated into BGCA’s Life & Workforce Readiness Program, allowing participants to develop new skills, gain hands-on experience, and work alongside The Home Depot’s volunteer associates on projects that benefit their local communities.

Despite approximately 400,000 job openings in the skilled construction trades, only a small fraction of young workers entering the labor market express interest in pursuing careers in these fields. A study by Home Builders Institute (HBI) and the University of Denver projects this workforce gap could cost the residential construction industry $10.8 billion due to longer build times and a loss of production on single-family homes. With many skilled trades workers retiring in the coming decade, early exposure to these careers is vital to build a sustainable pipeline of talent.

“At Boys & Girls Clubs of America, we’re committed to helping young people explore meaningful opportunities that set them up for success,” said Jennifer Bateman, senior vice president of youth development. “This partnership with The Home Depot Foundation opens doors to skilled trades careers, empowering thousands of youth to discover their potential and build great futures.”