SkillsUSA Receives $10 Million Commitment from Lowe’s

Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation investment runs through 2014

By Thomas W. Holdsworth

SkillsUSA announced Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has made a $10 million commitment through 2014. The multi-year commitment was made at SkillsUSA’s National Student Leadership Conference in Kansas City, Mo. This unprecedented grant represents Lowe’s investment in SkillsUSA and its students. It will further the SkillsUSA program in communities, provide awareness of technical careers and training opportunities, and highlight SkillsUSA’s benefits to the community.

“The Lowe’s grant will help us invest in our leaders of tomorrow and enable students to continually learn, update their skills and hone their knowledge,” said Timothy Lawrence, executive director for SkillsUSA. “The youth who will benefit from this generous grant will be the work force our nation will count upon. Lowe’s and SkillsUSA, through our technical training programs, are creating things together that will truly make a lasting impact.”

Lowe’s and its vendor partners are working to solve the impending skilled worker shortage by investing in trades education today. Through its support of SkillsUSA, Lowe’s commitment is helping to fill the skills gap with technical, professional, managerial, leadership, customer service and communication skills. SkillsUSA will use the grant to enhance its instructional programs and provide the funding its chapters need to embrace community service and school improvement projects.

Through 2009, Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has awarded 99 grants of up to $10,000 each to SkillsUSA chapters and $365,000 to support Team Works competitions. Lowe’s also equipped 380 construction labs and 361 automotive classes with Kobalt tools.

“By investing in SkillsUSA, Lowe’s is representing our commitment to communities, education and customers,” said Larry D. Stone, chairman of Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “Lowe’s $10 million commitment will help prepare America’s future work force with world-class skills – as the SkillsUSA students of today will become the contractors, industry leaders and volunteers of tomorrow.”