Last week, Lowe's and key partners gathered in Frisco, Texas, to support and celebrate the Lowe's Foundation’s commitment. This comes at a moment when the construction industry alone faces a shortage of over 430,000 workers while average hourly earnings are significantly outpacing other industries.
To bridge the gap, the Lowe's Foundation has awarded over $34 million in Gable Grants since 2023 and expanded its network of funded partners to over 50 organizations offering innovative training programs.
Through the Gable Grants initiative, skilled trades programs and educators around the country are being bolstered, and with them, the aspiring tradespeople they serve. At the most recent event, attendees got to hear from students and instructors who benefitted from the program in their own words through these phone booth recordings.
After I graduate with my degree in construction management, I would really like to return to the Navajo reservation so that I'm able to help a lot with building like newer buildings, housing for a lot of the community because a lot of people on the reservation struggle with housing, and I would really like to make it possible for people to have a nice home to live in. It would make me so happy knowing that I was able to give back to my community in this way. I would like to thank everyone who put in their time and funds into this grant, which makes it possible for different students across the United States to pursue a career in trades.
Roy Wells is a technology instructor at Madisonville Community College. With the help of Lowe's Gable Grant, the program has grown from three students to 97.
It's an opportunity for hope. I tell my students that these careers are life-changing, and most of the time, these students are the first to come to college of any sort in their families. Some of our success stories have been of individuals who came through this program but didn't have any opportunities. Single moms and single parents do not have many opportunities now for well-paying jobs. I'd love to thank those, the foundation, and everyone involved in this. We really thank you for providing the necessary tools and things that we need to succeed in this program.
Nicole Stephenson enrolled in the 'Step Up for Women Construction' program in 2018, she's now an instructor with West Virginia Women Work (WVWW). She says the Lowe's Foundation funds have been essential to expanding the work of WVWW.
With its Gable Grant, West Virginia Women Work is implementing a Step Up for Women program to offer a multifaceted approach to career placement. The organization is also shoring up its equipment and facilities as it empowers women to explore and secure employment in construction and manufacturing across the state.
Obie Parker is a Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) instructor in Lucedale, Mississippi. He's been involved with the program for 20 years but has found his passion in helping formerly incarcerated students.
One of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing students gain knowledge that will help them build a successful career and become productive members of society. Thank you to MGCC and the Lowe's Foundation for allowing me the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of my students.
To learn more about the Lowe's Foundation, visit Lowes.com/Foundation and follow on Instagram, X, Facebook and LinkedIn.
