As the skilled trades industry faces a widening talent gap, Lowe’s and AMVETS have released a series of grant and scholarship opportunities to empower and educate the military community. Now accepting applications for a limited time, the awards are part of Lowe’s 2020 $400,000 commitment to veterans, their spouses and active duty servicemembers pursuing careers in skilled trades and technology.
“By 2028, there will be an estimated three million job openings in the skilled trades industry,” said Michael Piper, Lowe’s military recruiting strategist and Air Force veteran. “Lowe’s is committed to solving this problem, and it begins right at home – with our own workforce and dynamic military population.”
Grants and scholarships include:
Veteranpreneur Business Grants for veterans interested in trades that fit Lowe’s business model such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical and appliance repair. This grant is for those who have reached the level of Journeyman who are ready to launch their own business or who are ready to take their existing business to the next level. In addition to a $25,000 award, winners also become eligible to be Lowe’s authorized contractors.
Last year’s winner, Brad Stone, is a nine-year veteran of the Louisiana National Guard and a third-generation plumber. Thanks in part to the grant, Stone launched his business Victory Plumbing Repair LLC in February and has grown his clientele through the craftsmanship he learned from his father and grandfather.
“I was shocked to hear that I won,” Stone said. “If you can paint a picture of your vision, absolutely apply. This was the boost I needed to pursue a trade that has been a lifelong passion.”
Generation T Scholarships offer veterans, National Guard and Reservists, their spouses and active duty servicemembers within the two-year mark of transitioning out of military service, eligibility to become certified in the trade industries at self-selected accredited institutions. Winners can receive up to $5,000, paid directly to their school and can be used to cover books, tuition and expenses incurred as they advance their training.
Lowe’s + AMVETS Technology Scholarships for veterans, National Guard and Reservists, their spouses and active duty servicemembers who are sophomores, juniors or seniors with a GPA of 3.0 at an accredited university studying in a computer science field that meets Lowe’s Technology focus. Winners receive a $5,000 scholarship.
“Veterans are resilient. They adapt, overcome, and persevere during their service, and those traits translate when they transition to civilian life,” said AMVETS National Commander Jan Brown. “As a service organization, one of AVMETS’ priorities is seeing that veterans are aware of opportunities like these with Lowe’s, which allows our nation’s heroes to pursue their passions and become self-starters.”
All applications are now open and to learn more and apply, visit amvets.org/scholarships. The Veteranpreneur Business Grant application cycle closes on Sept. 4 while the Gen T and Technology scholarship application cycles close on Oct. 2. All winners will be announced in November.
Through its Track to the Trades program, Lowe’s is proud to have educated more than 100 veterans towards certifications like carpentry, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and appliance repair. Lowe’s also has a longstanding appreciation for the military community, whether they are a customer, supplier or one of its 20,000 military associates. To learn more about Lowe’s $4.5 million commitment to military partners in 2020, click here.
