Cleveland Roberts never planned on running his own business.
After losing his job as a truck mechanic in 2024, he found himself searching for stability and direction. What he found instead was something new altogether.
Through a carpentry program at Columbus Technical College, Roberts discovered a skillset that would not only restore his confidence but redefine his future.
Now, Roberts is a SkillsUSA cabinetmaking champion in Georgia and runs his own residential remodeling business in Columbus. His story, shaped by hands-on learning and mentorship, is just one of many featured in “Building Back America’s Trades,” a new documentary series produced by the Lowe’s Foundation.
Premiering April 11 on Magnolia Network, and next day on HBO Max and discovery+, this three-part series isn’t about industries or institutions. It’s about real people at turning points in their lives, choosing to roll up their sleeves and build something new.
From coast to coast, the series follows folks navigating career changes, challenging obstacles and fresh starts. Some are just getting their foot in the door, while others are rebuilding from scratch. What ties them together is a shared drive to find opportunity and purpose through the skilled trades.
What you see is a picture of the trades as more than just a backup plan. For many, it’s the first choice; a way to find independence, steady work and a real sense of purpose.
The stakes behind these stories are real.
The United States is facing a shortage of hundreds of thousands of skilled workers at a time when demand for housing, infrastructure and domestic manufacturing continues to rise.
For Roberts, this hits close to home.
The skills Roberts picked up through training have turned into more than just a job. They’re a way to carry on his family’s legacy and build something lasting. His journey is proof of a bigger idea that runs through the whole series: when people learn new skills, they get to shape their own futures.
And that idea goes far beyond just one person.
The documentary comes as the Lowe’s Foundation is expanding its workforce commitment five-fold to a $250 million investment aimed at training 250,000 tradespeople by 2035. It’s a response to the urgent need for skilled workers, and a sign of just how much opportunity is out there.
The future of America’s infrastructure depends on the next wave of skilled workers. And if “Building Back America’s Trades” shows us anything, it’s that the future is already being built; one story, one choice and one new beginning at a time.
