Lowe's Foundation Expands Trades Program

Palm Beach State College is one of 10 community and technical colleges nationwide to receive the first-ever round of Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants to support skilled trades workforce development initiatives. The grants are the first in a five-year, $50 million commitment to help prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers. This investment will fund cutting-edge programs in appliance repair, carpentry, construction, electrical, HVAC and plumbing.

Palm Beach State College received the grant based on its comprehensive plan to expand the impact of its degree and certificate programs in construction trades and management. Putting the grant’s mission into action, PBSC will reach out to residents throughout Palm Beach County to recruit, train and develop the next generation of skilled tradespeople, including groups that are traditionally underrepresented in the trades. PBSC aims to grow its number of graduates who are ready to build and revitalize homes, neighborhoods and infrastructure with the goal to increase Palm Beach County’s skilled workforce by 1,500 by 2028.

“Our partnership with the Lowe’s Foundation paves a path to a better future for our young people through the College’s trades programs,” said PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D. “Serving this vital initiative, we are excited to provide this opportunity to our county, one that ensures career readiness and enhances the economic mobility of our students and their families. I would like to express my gratitude to the Lowe’s Foundation for its generosity and belief in our mission to transform lives and strengthen the community.”

 

 

Key to PBSC’s plan is the creation of a unique training space on the Lake Worth campus. The Construction Trades Center for Workforce Innovation will simulate construction jobsite conditions, providing real-world experiences for students. The center will incorporate both residential and commercial construction sites—an innovative smart house and an office suite facility—and be equipped with all the tools and equipment needed to design, build, and renovate.

The Construction Trades Center for Workforce Innovation will be integrated into the 150,000-square-foot Education and Training Center, which houses the majority of the College’s industrial and technical programs. The PBSC programs directly supported by the grant train students to become building construction specialists and managers, architectural drafters, electricians, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians, smart home technology installers, engineering technicians and welders. The simulated jobsites will be continuously constructed and then torn down for the next classes to tackle. 

We are proud to partner with the Lowe’s Foundation for its first-ever Gable Grant for the PBSC Construction Trades Center for Workforce Innovation,” said David A. Rutherford,vice president of advancement and CEO of The Foundation for Palm Beach State College.“By enhancing education and training, Palm Beach State and Lowe’s are introducing a ‘next generation in trades’ initiative that provides an essential pipeline of highly skilled professionals to local industries and the Palm Beach County workforce.