Stanley Black & Decker out to close the trade skills gap
Stanley Black & Decker announced the recipients of its inaugural Empower Makers Global Impact Challenge grant program to skill people who ‘make the world.’
“Congratulations to this year’s Impact Challenge winners, who are each making a significant impact in helping to address the skills trade gap,” said Diane Cantello, vice president of social impact at Stanley Black & Decker.
“Our purpose is to support ‘Those Who Make the World,’ and being able to fund educational programs and non-profits that are revitalizing trade careers directly connects to our core mission,” said Cantello.
Fifty-nine organizations have been selected to receive $3 million to enable vital trade skills training and reskilling programs in the construction and manufacturing sectors, said the firm.
The inaugural recipients include career development schools, community colleges, construction nonprofits and trade schools from around the globe committed to positively impacting trade professions.
In addition, the company will be providing nearly $1 million in tool donations to another 27 organizations to outfit makerspaces and training facilities.
Click on the chart at left to see all the inaugural Makers.
Also to check them out online, and in more detail, go to: EmpowerMakers.com.
“By helping provide a pathway for trade professionals, we are also setting our sights on constructing a better future that can uplift the hardworking tradespeople who build our world to meet the ever-changing needs of society,” said Cantello.
The program, said the company, launched in 2021, awards up to $25 million in grant funding over five years to non-profits that are supporting trade workforce development initiatives with the goal of skilling and reskilling up to 3 million makers.
Stanley Black & Decker said that statistics show an estimated 650,000 open construction jobs in 2022 and 10 million unfilled manufacturing jobs globally.
The company said it has made vocational skills training a priority through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) mission. A major component of the company’s CSR strategy includes a goal to empower 10 million makers by the year 2030.
This year’s recipients are anticipated to empower roughly 180,000 Makers through unique programming, said the company. Examples include:
- Workshops For Warriors Veteran program will teach skilled training for entry level welders or machinists.
- YWCA of Metro Chicago will lead a 12-week training course in carpentry.
- Region 14 Building Trades Program will teach pre-apprenticeship construction training programs.
- Cornerstones of Care – Build Trybe will provide mentorship to under-resourced foster youth through vocational training.
“Our Makers Grant recipients are inspiring – each application demonstrated a deep commitment from the organization to their communities,” said Cantello.
“Being able to support these organizations as they implement new programs aimed at filling the trade skills gap will help support regional job creation, sustainable careers in the trades, and the advancement of these critical professions where there is a shortage of skilled workers.”
The Empower Makers Global Impact Challenge will reopen for applications beginning October 1, 2022, through October 31, 2022. Recipients will be announced in early 2023.
Founded in 1843 and headquartered in New Britain, Connecticut, Stanley Black & Decker is the world’s largest tool company operating nearly 50 manufacturing facilities across America and more than 100 worldwide.
Guided by its purpose – for those who make the world – the company has more than 60,000 diverse and high-performing employees.