With over 400,000 skilled trade jobs currently unfilled, the Home Depot Foundation is stepping up to fill the gap. The foundation has committed $10 million to expand access to trades education—most notably through a $1 million partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Starting this year in Atlanta, Phoenix, and Houston, the two-year pilot will introduce more than 1,000 young people to hands-on careers in carpentry, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing. Participants will gain real-world experience alongside Team Depot volunteers via the Boys & Girls Clubs’ Life & Workforce Readiness Program.

As Erin Izen, Executive Director of the Home Depot Foundation, explains: “The skilled trades offer some of the most promising career paths, yet many young people either aren’t aware of or lack access to these opportunities. . . . This investment . . . empowers students to hone these new skills while also strengthening the future of the construction industry.” Roofing Contractor.

The urgency of this effort is clear. A joint study by the Home Builders Institute and University of Denver estimates that the trades shortage could cost the residential sector $10.8 billion, thanks to slower builds and reduced productivity. At the same time, the industry faces a wave of retirements and a persistent perception gap: while 91% of Americans believe trade roles are as vital as white-collar jobs, only 38% of Gen Z see them as prime career opportunities, compared to 59% of Baby Boomers. Even more, 86% of respondents think schools underemphasize trade careers, and 90% are surprised by how well such professions pay.