$9+ million in funding to bolster HVAC workforce

The Lowe’s Foundation on Thursday announced it’s awarding nearly $9 million in grants to 15 skilled trades-focused nonprofits nationwide to fuel career opportunities for those entering the HVAC industry.   

The big picture: The move is part of a five-year, $50 million commitment the company made in 2023 to train 50,000 tradespeople — and marks just one of three workforce funding announcements made this week. 

What’s happening: Lowe’s will award the $9 million to nonprofits spanning from Alaska to New York, including those in Wisconsin, New Orleans, and North Carolina, among others. 

• “Through modern training methods, these nonprofits are unlocking the workforce’s potential while building an economy that rewards skills, not just titles or four-year degrees,” said Lowe’s Foundation chair, Janice Dupre. 

Why it matters: The HVAC industry projects tens of thousands of annual technician job openings through 2033, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Zoom out: Earlier this week, PHCC announced it’s awarding 65 scholarships totaling over $150,000 to HVAC and plumbing apprentices working for PHCC-member contractors and trade school students, with applications due May 1.

• “For [contractors] who pay for their employees’ training, our scholarships can free up training funds the company can reinvest in other areas,” said PHCC’s John Zink.
• Rounding out the week, another foundation — the ‘Ted Rees Jr. Scholarship Foundation’ — awarded $176,000 to 90 HVAC students nationwide, including two veterans.

The bottom line: This week’s commitments demonstrate that despite the growing labor gap, the industry is willing to invest substantial resources into solving the problem. 

• “There isn’t a better time for these aspiring technicians to join us,” added AHRI president Stephen Yurek.