Florida State College at Jacksonville received a two-year Gable Grant from the Lowe’s Foundation to help fill the skilled trades worker shortage.
The $390,000 award will help FSCJ improve access for aspiring electricians, construction professionals and HVAC technicians through training at community sites.
The grant also will support recruitment of skilled instructors and fund educational materials, spaces and equipment to address workforce needs for large construction projects.
“Thanks to the Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grant, FSCJ will transform access to high-demand careers through an innovative construction training initiative called ‘EmpowerEd by Lowe’s,’ which was developed to bring educational and training opportunities directly to those who need it most,” FSCJ President John Avendano said in a news release.
“This program is more than job training and workforce development; it’s an opportunity to restore lives while also strengthening our community both now and far into the future.”
Lowe’s said since launching the Gable Grants program in 2023, the foundation has invested $43 million in 28 states.
The grants are part of a five-year, $50 million commitment to help community and technical colleges and nonprofits recruit, train and prepare 50,000 trades professionals in careers including carpentry and construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and property maintenance.
“Collectively, we are writing a comeback story for the skilled trades industry,” said Janice Dupré, Lowe’s executive vice president of human resources and chair of the Lowe’s Foundation.
“Through our Gable Grants network, these schools join a community of innovators helping one another effectively recruit, train and employ the people America needs to revitalize our infrastructure.”
FSCJ serves more than 45,000 students and awards nearly 4,000 degrees and certificates each year, helping to supply employers with a skilled and educated workforce.