Home Depot forms skilled trades training partnership

The Home Depot Foundation and Home Builders Institute (HBI) have partnered to provide free skilled trades training and certification to separating service members on or near 10 military bases, including Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), through the Path to Pro program.

“Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity is one of the first affiliates to pilot this program and host HBI students on its build sites,” said the retailer.

[Related article: Home Depot starts Path to Pro program.]

“They also hired Path to Pro graduates and more recently joined with The Home Depot Foundation and HBI to construct a home for a local single mother,” the company said.

This effort is part of a new partnership, said the retailer, that brings all three nonprofit organizations together to improve access to affordable housing. It will also provide free skilled trades training to transitioning military members stationed at Fort Cavazos.

“We’re proud to partner with The Home Depot Foundation and the Home Builders Institute for a new partnership that brings them together with Habitat for Humanity to improve access to affordable housing in military communities like ours,” said Kristin Smith, CEO at Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity.

The Foundation recently granted $1.6 million to Habitat for Humanity affiliates near those bases to enable Path to Pro students to gain on-the-job training by building Habitat homes alongside Habitat staff, volunteers and future homeowners.

“The Home Depot and The Home Depot Foundation are committed to educating more people in the skilled trades and helping them find careers in the home improvement industry through our Path to Pro program,” said the firm.

The Foundation said it has pledged to invest $50 million in training the next generation of skilled tradespeople through the Path to Pro program.