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There's more support than ever before for people looking to join the skilled trades. A new national program has been put in place with backing from organizations including Lowe's Foundation, Bank of America, AT&T, and Nvidia. This growing investment is designed to help more people find meaningful employment in the skilled trades.

New Training Program Aims to Train One Million Workers

Announced in September 2026, the Building Futures Skilled Trades Coalition is headed by Lowe's Foundation and has more than 75 founding members. The coalition brings together a wide range of businesses, educators, and workforce development experts to support new training and development projects.

The goal is to help train one million people by 2035. Focuses include improving perceptions of trade careers, expanding current training and credentialing programs, and measuring real progress from training into employment. The program will connect employers with educators to help more people turn their skills into lasting careers.

Companies Investing More in Skilled Trades

This is just one example of a recent trend where more investment is flowing into skilled trades education. An aging and retiring workforce, high infrastructure demands, and other factors have put serious pressure on the supply of qualified tradespeople. By 2030, over 2 million skilled trades positions may go unfilled.

This demand is essentially across the board, with projects in dire need of electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, HVAC technicians, equipment operators, and more. Training partnerships will play a key role in addressing these needs by preparing more people to take on careers in the skilled trades.

Additional Programs for Skilled Workers

Lowe's Foundation has also extended its Gable Grants program. This initiative supports training through community colleges and nonprofit organizations. The foundation has dedicated $250 million to help train 250,000 tradespeople by 2035.

Another major new initiative in 2026 is the Alliance for America's Skilled Trades. Massive organizations, including Google, Ford, and BlackRock, are backing this program. It aims to expand access to trade careers and apprenticeships to help fill workforce gaps.

What Potential Contractors Should Know

So what does this mean for someone considering the skilled trades as a career today? In general, it means that there are more opportunities than ever before. You can check your local area for community college courses, apprenticeships, and other supported programs.

Initiatives like these are making training more accessible. Addressing costs is one way, but far from the only support provided. Many programs also seek to help potential contractors meet entry requirements before training, and then find job placement after training.

Keep in mind that you'll need to consult your state and local licensing organizations to find out what your specific education, experience, and other requirements are. These can vary widely, so take some time to understand your potential career path before getting started.

Taking the Next Step in Your Career

With so many opportunities becoming available, it's a great time to consider the skilled trades as your career path. Once you've decided on a path you want to take, RocketCert is here to help. Exam preparation courses and resources help you along your way to obtaining your contractor's license.