In this episode, we talk to Betsy Conway about the Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants Program.

Applications are due April 10, 2023. Learn more and apply: http://lowes.com/foundation

The Lowe’s Foundation has launched a five-year, $50 million effort to help community colleges and other community-based organizations prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers.

The first round of the Gable Grants will focus on community and technical colleges, through which the foundation aims to address the skilled trades labor shortage, with a focus on young adults, especially from underrepresented and rural communities. April 10 is the deadline to apply.

The skilled trades is in a workforce crisis, with 85% of contractors reporting trouble finding skilled workers, according to the foundation. An estimated 546,000 new skilled tradespeople are needed to meet the demand in 2023 alone, on top of the normal hiring.

More about our guest: 

As the director of the Lowe’s Foundation, Betsy is responsible for the strategic execution of the new Gable Grants program, which provides grants to community and technical colleges and community-based nonprofit organizations that prepare individuals for careers in the skilled trades. She has been with Lowe’s since 2019 and previously served as director, community relations, in which she led community partnerships in the Charlotte region and the company’s volunteer program.