The Home Depot Foundation has granted $5 million to expand its Path to Pros trades training program to more than 250 schools in over 30 states, in partnership with Home Builders Institute (HBI) and Construction Ready. In 2018, the Home Depot Foundation announced a $50 million commitment to train the next generation of skilled tradespeople, diversify the trades industry, and address the growing labor shortage in the U.S. The nonprofit said the incremental funding will expand Path to Pro training and certification opportunities for youth, high school students, separating military service members, and underserved communities.
“As Path to Pro enters its fifth year, the program has introduced more than 15,000 people to the skilled trades,” Shannon Gerber, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation, said in a news release. “The Foundation is successfully extending opportunities to those who will support the country’s construction efforts and tracking toward its $50 million commitment. This growth doesn’t happen without our industry-leading partners who help us serve underrepresented communities and diversify the talent pipeline to withstand the significant shortage of skilled tradespeople. We look forward to advancing our efforts with this incremental commitment to support this critical issue.”
As part of the investment, HBI’s Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training curriculum, including hands-on training, will be offered to 11th and 12th grade students interested in exploring career opportunities in the construction trades. In 2021, the partnership fueled programs in more than 30 Title 1 schools, where more than 40% of the students live in low-income communities.
Additionally, The Home Depot Foundation and HBI will open a new academy program in Sacramento, Calif., to train hundreds of skilled workers that will help meet the needs of the city’s housing market. The program delivers training and certification for diverse adult populations, bringing together students of differing age, gender, race, and background, according to the release. Path to Pro-funded BuildStrong Academies in Denver and Orlando have successfully trained 422 people to date.
Nonprofit Construction Ready helps The Home Depot Foundation give back with trades training programs for K-12 youth and underserved communities in Atlanta and across Georgia through classroom and hands-on training courses.
The Home Depot Foundation first launched its trades training program with HBI in 2018 on a U.S. military base. Today, the Path to Pro military program is offered on 10 U.S. military bases and provides existing service members a free, 12-week program that provides industry-recognized Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training and OSHA 10 certifications. The military base programs partner with Habitat for Humanity International to serve local communities, gain field experience, and build industry relationships.
