New hands-on training program for students ages 11 - 17 expands career horizons by introducing multiple skilled trade pathways
ATLANTA, Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Home Depot and The Home Depot Foundation today announced a new initiative to provide 15 million introductions to the skilled construction trades by 2032. As part of this effort, The Home Depot is launching Path to Pro Skills Explorers curriculum, a free, hands-on educational experience designed to introduce middle and high school students (ages 11–17) to high-demand, high-earning careers in the trades, just when career aspirations begin taking shape.
While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.1 million construction skilled trades jobs are expected to open over the next decade, only 6% of young people are currently interested in entering these fields, according to a study conducted by the National Association of Home Builders.
Developed in partnership with Scouting America and piloted with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Skills Explorers is designed to equip teachers, parents and community mentors with turn-key modules to teach foundational skills in areas such as woodworking, plumbing, electrical and painting. Students can gain exposure to career pathways while building confidence through hands-on projects. The curriculum also includes age appropriate content on leadership and soft skills.
"For years, the Path to Pro programs have helped separating military, career changers and others build pathways to the trades," said Michael Rowe, executive vice president of Pro for The Home Depot. "We know that closing the skilled labor gap starts much earlier. We need more young people to see what's possible and understand the lucrative opportunities these careers provide."
Skills Explorers is built to be used anywhere young people learn and grow:
The addition of Skills Explorers marks the newest chapter in long-standing Path to Pro commitments by The Home Depot and The Home Depot Foundation to solve the nation's construction skilled labor gap. What began in 2018 as a partnership between The Home Depot Foundation and Home Builders Institute (HBI) for military members returning to civilian life has scaled into a nationwide movement impacting all 50 states. Programs offered by The Home Depot and The Home Depot Foundation now span the entire talent pipeline, from early career awareness to training, hiring and career advancement. To date, more than 200,000 individuals have graduated from The Home Depot's Path to Pro Skills Program and hundreds of thousands of resumes have been hosted on its Path to Pro Network job board. The Foundation's trades-focused collaborations with nonprofit partners have certified over 70,000 people.
"Our skilled trades merit badges have always taught young people fundamentals that put them on the path to careers," said Roger Krone, president and chief executive officer for Scouting America. "With the generous support of The Home Depot Foundation, we can take that a step further at a moment when this country needs more young people who are ready to enter the skilled trades. Scouting prepares young people for life. With support from The Home Depot Foundation, we can prepare them for careers, as well."
"Preparing young people for the workforce starts long before they enter it," said Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "When young people have opportunities to explore careers, build real-world skills and see themselves in different professions, they can start to envision what's possible for their futures. Path to Pro Skills Explorers gives Clubs the tools to make that experience hands-on and engaging, introducing skilled trades careers at a critical time when kids and teens are beginning to think about what comes next. We're grateful to The Home Depot for investing in the next generation and helping young people gain the skills and confidence they need to be future-ready."
Get Started Today
Educators, youth organizations and parents can access the free Skills Explorers curriculum and explore resources by visiting https://www.pathtopro.com/skills-explorers/.
Information on other Path to Pro programs, such as free training for adults (Skills Program), job networking support (Path to Pro Network) and career mapping can be found at https://www.pathtopro.com.
About The Home Depot
The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer. At the end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, the company operated a total of 2,364 retail stores and over 1,340 SRS locations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. The Company employs over 470,000 associates. The Home Depot's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index.
About The Home Depot Foundation
The Home Depot Foundation, a nonprofit supported by The Home Depot (NYSE: HD), works to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans, support communities impacted by natural disasters and train skilled tradespeople to fill the labor gap. Since 2011, the Foundation has invested more than $650 million in veteran causes and improved more than 70,000 veteran homes and facilities. The Foundation has pledged to invest $750 million in veteran causes by 2030, and, alongside The Home Depot, create 15 million opportunities to explore skilled trades careers through the Path to Pro program by 2032. To date, the Foundation has surpassed $1 billion in total charitable giving. To learn more about The Home Depot Foundation visit HomeDepotFoundation.org and follow us on LinkedIn, on X @HomeDepotFound, and on Facebook and Instagram @HomeDepotFoundation.
SOURCE The Home Depot
Share this article