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Skilled Trades Outlook

Show Me the Money: How Major Companies Are Bankrolling Your Path to the Trades

Companies and foundations just dropped millions in trade scholarships. From DEWALT's $4M grants to Mike Rowe's work-ethic awards, here's how to catch your piece of the pie.

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Show Me the Money: How Major Companies Are Bankrolling Your Path to the Trades

A quick read for students exploring skilled trades in the U.S.

TL;DR: Big companies like DEWALT just dropped nearly $4.2 million in grants and scholarships for future electricians, welders, and HVAC techs. Mike Rowe’s foundation is giving out another $2.4 million. If you’re thinking trade school, there’s serious cash on the table — and we’ll show you where to find it.

Why companies are suddenly throwing money at trade students

Here’s the situation: The U.S. has 500,000 open construction jobs right now, and not enough people with the skills to fill them. Companies can’t build data centers, can’t wire new factories, can’t install HVAC systems — because they literally can’t find enough qualified workers.

So instead of just complaining about it, major corporations are doing something radical: paying you to learn the skills they desperately need.

Think of it as corporate self-interest meeting student opportunity. They need electricians and welders yesterday. You need money for school. Match made in heaven.

DEWALT: The power tool giant putting $4M+ where its mouth is

$200,000 in student scholarships

In May 2024, DEWALT announced it would hand out $200,000 to 40 students across the U.S. and Canada through its annual trades scholarship program. That’s $5,000 per student — real money that can knock a serious dent in your tuition bill.

The winners came from 23 states and 2 Canadian provinces, studying everything from electrical and carpentry to HVAC and welding. Sisters Claire and Emma U. from Nebraska both won — one’s doing automotive tech, the other’s learning auto collision repair. Meleana A. from Hawaii is using her scholarship to advocate for more trades opportunities for young women.

DEWALT even started a #tradeproud campaign, encouraging graduating seniors to post about choosing trade school — basically saying “yeah, we see you, and this is a legit career path.” Which, honestly, more companies should be doing.

Stat check: DEWALT’s “Grow the Trades” initiative is a $30 million commitment and has awarded over $850,000 in scholarships to date. Source: Emily Cahn → Stanley Black & Decker → “DEWALT Announces the 2024 DEWALT Trades Scholarship Recipients” (May 30, 2024) — https://stanleyblackanddecker.com

$4 million in grants to training organizations

But wait — there’s more. On National Tradesperson Day (September 20, 2024), DEWALT announced it would give nearly $4 million in grants to 166 organizations that train, retrain, and upskill tradespeople.

These aren’t fly-by-night operations. We’re talking about serious players like:

  • ACE Mentor Program (architecture/construction/engineering mentorship)
  • mikeroweWORKS Foundation (work-ethic scholarships)
  • International Training Institute (hands-on trade training and apprenticeships)

DEWALT’s President, Frank Mannarino, spelled it out plainly: with half a million unfilled construction jobs nationwide, the company hopes its grants will “help build a stronger talent pipeline.” Translation: We need you, and we’re willing to invest in getting you trained.

Applications for the 2025 DEWALT Trades Scholarship opened in October 2024 for high school seniors and current trade school students planning two-year programs or apprenticeships.

Source: Frank Mannarino → PRNewswire → “To Help Grow the Trades, DEWALT Announces Grant Recipients” (Sept. 20, 2024) — https://prnewswire.com

SupplyHouse: Plumbing & HVAC e-commerce steps up

In July 2025, SupplyHouse — an online retailer for plumbing and HVAC supplies — launched its second annual Track to the Trades Scholarship. The program awards ten scholarships of $2,500 each to students who demonstrate the company’s core values: G.R.I.T. (Generosity, Respect, Integrity, Teamwork).

Chief Marketing Officer Kaylin Staub explained that SupplyHouse wants to “remove financial barriers for students entering plumbing, HVAC or similar trades.” The 2024 pilot scholarship already made an impact — winner Saul de la Cruz said the award motivated him to work harder and contribute positively to the industry.

Who can apply?

  • At least 18 years old
  • Enrolled in or accepted to a U.S. trade school
  • Applications opened July 2025; winners announced December 2025

It’s not life-changing money, but $2,500 can cover books, tools, certification fees — the stuff that adds up when you’re trying to get licensed.

Source: Kaylin Staub → Supply House Times → “SupplyHouse launches second annual Track to the Trades Scholarship” (July 25, 2025) — https://supplyht.com

Mike Rowe: TV host turned trade-school evangelist

If you’ve watched Dirty Jobs, you know Mike Rowe. If you’re looking at trade careers, you should definitely know about his mikeroweWORKS Foundation.

In July 2024, Rowe announced the foundation was about to award $2.4 million in work-ethic scholarships to 300 individuals. Do the math: that’s $8,000 per person on average. And it brings the foundation’s cumulative scholarship total to over $11 million since inception.

Rowe is unapologetically pro-trades. He constantly talks about the “dignity of skilled labor” and how white-collar desk jobs aren’t the only path to a good life. His foundation partners with programs like DEWALT’s Grow the Trades grants, creating a network where corporate and philanthropic money converges to fight workforce shortages.

Bottom line: If you’re willing to work hard and you’re committed to a trade, mikeroweWORKS wants to help you pay for it.

Source: Mike Rowe → MikeRowe.com → “mikeroweWORKS is About to Award $2.4M in Work Ethic Scholarships” (July 10, 2024) — https://mikerowe.com

What this actually means for you (the practical stuff)

1. Financial barriers are dropping

These scholarships won’t cover everything, but they can knock out a big chunk of tuition, tools, and fees. Combined with federal Pell Grants and state aid, a two-year trade program can become very affordable — especially compared to a four-year university.

2. The industry wants you

When companies are willing to invest millions in training the next generation, that’s a signal: demand is real. You’re not just chasing a job — employers are chasing you.

3. It’s not just for guys

DEWALT specifically highlighted female scholarship winners like Claire, Emma, and Meleana. The trades have been male-dominated for decades, but the industry is actively trying to change that — and putting money behind it.

4. You can start NOW

Many of these scholarships target high school seniors and current trade school students. You don’t need to wait until you’re “ready.” Apply while you’re still figuring things out. Worst case? You get free money for school. Best case? You get free money and momentum.

How to find and apply for trade scholarships (3 steps)

Step 1: Hit the big ones first

Step 2: Stack local and regional aid

  • Community college foundation scholarships (often have fewer applicants than national programs)
  • Union apprenticeship programs (many pay YOU to learn while you work)
  • State-specific grants (check your state’s Department of Labor or Education website)

Step 3: Don’t sleep on smaller awards

$500 here, $1,000 there — it adds up. Tool stipends, textbook vouchers, certification fee waivers. All of it reduces your out-of-pocket cost and keeps you focused on learning instead of stressing about money.

Explore trade programs on TradeColleges.org

Ready to see what’s out there? Start browsing programs by field:

The bottom line

The skilled trades are facing a labor shortage, and instead of just wringing their hands, companies are writing checks. DEWALT, SupplyHouse, and Mike Rowe’s foundation have put millions on the table for students willing to learn a trade.

This isn’t charity — it’s an investment. They need workers. You need a career that pays well, can’t be outsourced, and doesn’t require six figures of student debt.

So if you’ve been on the fence about trade school because of cost, here’s your sign: the money is out there. You just have to apply for it.

Sources (public statements & reporting)

  • Emily Cahn → Stanley Black & Decker → “DEWALT Announces the 2024 DEWALT Trades Scholarship Recipients” (May 30, 2024) — https://stanleyblackanddecker.com
  • Frank Mannarino → PRNewswire → “To Help Grow the Trades, DEWALT Announces Grant Recipients” (Sept. 20, 2024) — https://prnewswire.com
  • Kaylin Staub → Supply House Times → “SupplyHouse launches second annual Track to the Trades Scholarship” (July 25, 2025) — https://supplyht.com
  • Mike Rowe → MikeRowe.com → “mikeroweWORKS is About to Award $2.4M in Work Ethic Scholarships” (July 10, 2024) — https://mikerowe.com
  • Ari Angelo → WUSF → “A new technical school is set to open in Plant City next year” (Nov. 8, 2024) — https://wusf.org
  • Tennessee Board of Regents → TBR.edu → “TCAT at Stanton opens as Tennessee’s newest technical college campus” (June 14, 2024) — https://tbr.edu

Note: U.S. focus; links current as of Oct 2, 2025.

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