Home Depot helps trades training
The Home Depot Foundation reported it is granting $1 million to its veteran-led disaster response partner Team Rubicon to build a new trades training program.
Through the “TRades Academy,” Team Rubicon will provide its students with on-the-job training in carpentry, electrical, plumbing and HVAC, said the retailer, as they rebuild homes in communities impacted by natural disasters.
“The Home Depot Foundation’s investment in the TRades Academy will help empower our dedicated veteran and civilian graduates to serve communities impacted by natural disasters in a new capacity while helping to fill the skilled labor gap,” said Art delaCruz, chief executive officer of Team Rubicon.
The Home Depot Foundation said it has partnered with Team Rubicon since 2012 to provide immediate disaster response and long-term disaster recovery to communities in need.
“In 2023, a disaster causing a billion dollars in damage happened every 13 days on average, and each affected community also experienced a shortage of qualified labor. There simply aren’t enough skilled tradespeople to help communities rebuild and recover after disaster strikes,” said delaCruz.
With the support of the Foundation and Team Depot, The Home Depot’s associate volunteer force, Team Rubicon has been rebuilding homes and serving communities devastated by hurricanes and tornadoes.
“We’re proud to invest in the TRades Academy to help train skilled tradespeople, embed trades specialists in vulnerable communities and further scale the incredible work of Team Rubicon's volunteers after disasters,” said Erin Izen, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation.
Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. Founded following the Haiti earthquake in 2010, the organization has grown to more than 160,000 volunteers across the U.S.
“Programs like this allow The Home Depot to help fill the skilled labor gap and provide pros access to qualified candidates,” said Izen.
