The Sheet Metal Institute is honored to be selected as a recipient of the DEWALT Grow the Trades Grant. We were among 166 organizations recognized for our efforts to help close the trades skills gap. With the grant, we will equip our students with additional tools and materials to further enhance their apprenticeship education.
With an estimated 500,000 construction jobs currently unfilled, DEWALT’s Grow the Trades Grants aim to help close this skilled labor gap by supporting nonprofit organizations focused on training and upskilling tradespeople. Each year, the program provides funding and tool donations as part of a broader $30 million commitment over five years.
“In the world of construction, sheet metal workers are the architects of functionality. Their precision, skill, and dedication to their craft are the backbone of countless buildings. Having the right tool for the job is essential to our trade,” said Ben Wood, SMI Training Coordinator. “The Dewalt Tool Grant allows our apprenticeship training centers to train and operate at a level that keeps our students at the forefront of an ever-progressive industry.”
The DEWALT Grow the Trades Grant provides SMI with essential tools that elevate our apprenticeship training to the industry’s forefront, empowering students to meet today’s skilled trade demands. With the construction industry facing a significant workforce shortage, initiatives like this not only support future tradespeople but also strengthen communities by developing a skilled and ready workforce
“DEWALT is immensely proud to support SMI as they work to skill and reskill the tradespeople of tomorrow, moving us closer to our shared goal of closing the trade skills gap,” said Frank Mannarino, President and General Manager of DEWALT. “Funding educational programs and nonprofits like SMI connects more people to training, resources, and opportunities that lead to successful careers in the trades.”
To learn more about the DEWALT Grow the Trades Grant, recipients, and updates for the upcoming application period, please visit DEWALT Grow the Trades.
For information about the apprenticeship training program, visit Sheet Metal Institute. We are always accepting applications to our program.