The Lowe’s Foundation awarded Central Piedmont Community College $1 million as a part of today’s select group of community and technical colleges receiving Gable Grants. Since awarding its first grants one year ago, the foundation has assisted in expanding skilled trades career pathways through its growing network of 35 community colleges and nonprofits in rural and urban communities across 27 states.
CPCC will significantly increase its capacity for skilled trades training and construction-related certifications. Infrastructure support includes renovating lab space and bringing mobile learning cottages to other campuses and into the community. The mobile learning cottages will remove transportation barriers and bring new training opportunities in construction, electrical, HVAC and plumbing training throughout Charlotte.
“With enrollments rising at vocationally focused schools, these community colleges are blossoming arenas for entrepreneurship and economic mobility,” said Janice Dupré, the chair of the Lowe’s Foundation. “Each college has a clear, inspired vision for closing the trades gap in its community, and we’re pleased to welcome them to our larger movement.”
CPCC President, Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer said, “Construction and the skilled trades have been part of Central Piedmont’s program offerings since the college opened its doors more than 60 years ago. Our students learn quickly that these are versatile, high-demand careers with endless opportunities for growth and advancement, and we place a high priority on producing skilled trades professionals who can hit the ground running.”
From funding new skilled trades facilities and instructors to accreditation programs, the grants will support carpentry and construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and appliance repair training. These grants build on the foundation’s first cohort of community college Gable Grants announced in 2023 and are the latest in the Lowe’s Foundation’s five-year, $50 million commitment to support the training of 50,000 people for skilled trades careers.
Since 2023, the Lowe’s Foundation has awarded approximately $25 million in Gable Grants to 35 organizations offering innovative and scalable skilled trades training across the U.S.
The next grant application cycle for community-based nonprofits will run from Aug. 1 to Aug. 31. To learn more about the pressing challenges facing the skilled trades, visit Lowes.com/Foundation.
