Effort part of the Foundation’s $50 million commitment to train 20,000 skilled tradespeople
WASHINGTON—September 24, 2019 —Today, as part of its effort to fill the growing skilled labor gap in the United States, The Home Depot Foundation announced it is partnering with the Home Builders Institute (HBI) to launch a youth trades training program.
Initially, the program and its industry-recognized curriculum will be available to 11th and 12th grade students in approximately 25 high schools with a focus on underserved communities across Colorado, Florida, Virginia, Alaska, Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Upon completion, participants will earn a pre-apprenticeship certification—endorsed by the National Association of Home Builders and recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor—provided at no additional cost to students and their families. The program will expand to more high schools in 2020.
“The curriculum is very hands-on and offers industry certifications that are really going to guide these students from high school into valuable, post-secondary opportunities in the trades,” said James Payne, the Curriculum Supervisor for career technical education (CTE) for Broward County Public Schools—the sixth largest school system nationwide. “We truly appreciate the leadership and partnership of The Home Depot Foundation and Home Builders Institute.”
In 2018, The Home Depot Foundation officially launched its joint trades training program for separating military members in partnership with nonprofit, Home Builders Institute (HBI). The program currently serves men and women on eight bases across the U.S.
About The Home Depot Foundation
The Home Depot Foundation works to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans, train skilled tradespeople to fill the labor gap and support communities impacted by natural disasters. Since 2011, the Foundation has invested more than $315 million in veteran causes and improved more than 45,000 veteran homes and facilities in 4,300 cities. In 2018, the Foundation pledged an additional $250 million to veteran causes taking the total commitment to half of a billion dollars by 2025.
To learn more about The Home Depot Foundation, visit homedepotfoundation.org and follow us on Twitter @HomeDepotFound and Facebook + Instagram @homedepotfoundation.
