In honour of National Tradesperson Day, DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand and leader in total jobsite solutions, announced it is awarding 166 organisations with nearly $4 million in Grow the Trades Grants. The Grow the Trades Grant program is part of DEWALT's $30 million commitment by 2027 to close the skilled trades gap by helping provide greater accessibility and resources for trades training. In addition, DEWALT is also encouraging high school seniors planning to enrol at an accredited two-year college, apprentice program or vocational technical school to apply to the 2025 DEWALT Trades Scholarship.
"As the industry grapples with how to fill the 500,000 open construction jobs nationwide, DEWALT is committed to doing its part to fill these critical roles by supporting organisations who share our commitment to empower the next generation of tradespeople," said Frank Mannarino, President and General Manager of DEWALT. "Our Grow the Trades program funds vocational training and reskilling programs in construction to develop a strong pipeline of talent for the skilled trades."
2024 Recipient Spotlights
This year's Grow the Trade Grant recipients were selected via a competitive application process based on their trades-focused initiatives providing certifications and credentials to skill tradespeople. The selected organisations are supporting 150,000 people on their trades journey through high school, trade school and apprenticeships.
The ACE Mentor Program of America
Ace Mentor provides a no-cost after-school program connecting students with experts from the design and construction industry. With DEWALT's support, ACE Mentor hosts Trades Days to provide mentorship opportunities with industry leaders and engage students in hands-on projects and workshops that enhance vocational skills.
mikeroweWORKS Foundation
The mikeroweWORKS Foundation's Work Ethic Scholarship Program helps people train for skilled jobs that are in demand and begin viable careers in the trades. This year, they have awarded $2.5 million in scholarships for more than 300 students in trade schools with funding from DEWALT and other partners.
The International Training Institute
The International Training Institute (ITI) supports apprenticeship and advanced career training for workers in the sheet metal industry throughout the United States and Canada. This grant will support ITI's SMART Heroes Program that provides sheet metal industry training, free of charge, to enlisted men and women of the U.S. military prior to discharge. Graduates of the program are offered sheet metal apprenticeships at 150 locations across the United States.
DEWALT Trades Scholarship
In addition to the Grow the Trades Grant program, the 2025 DEWALT Trades Scholarship will begin accepting applications in October for high school seniors, high school graduates or current college undergraduate students planning to enrol in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year college, accredited apprentice program or vocational technical school for the upcoming academic year.
Now in its sixth year, DEWALT has awarded $850,000 in scholarships across the United States and Canada.
Visit learnmore.scholarsapply.org/dewalttrade to apply. The program is administered through a partnership with Scholarship America®.
