Home Depot Launches Youth Trades Training Program

Atlanta, GA, September 25, 2019-As part of its effort to fill the growing skilled labor gap in the United States, The Home Depot Foundation announced it is partnering with the Home Builders Institute (HBI) to launch a youth trades training program.

“After a successful year of rolling out our military trades training program with HBI, we’re excited to announce the expansion of our joint program into high schools across the U.S.,” said Shannon Gerber, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation. 

Initially, the program and its industry-recognized curriculum will be available to 11th and 12th grade students in approximately 25 high schools with a focus on underserved communities across Colorado, Florida, Virginia, Alaska, Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Upon completion, participants will earn a pre-apprenticeship certification-endorsed by the National Association of Home Builders and recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor-provided at no additional cost to students and their families. The program will expand to more high schools in 2020.

In 2018, The Home Depot Foundation officially launched its joint trades training program for separating military members in partnership with nonprofit, Home Builders Institute (HBI). The program currently serves men and women on eight bases across the U.S.