Lowe’s CEO Marvin Ellison announced the launch of the Building Futures Skilled Trades Coalition, an effort aimed at training and developing one million people for skilled trades careers by 2035. The announcement comes as employers across the country struggle to find qualified workers in trades including plumbing, electrical work, welding and HVAC.
These are great jobs. These are six-figure jobs, Ellison said during an appearance on FOX and Friends. You do not need to get a four-year degree to have one of these incredible careers.
The effort builds on work already underway through the Lowe’s Foundation, which committed $250 million to help train and develop 250,000 tradespeople by 2035. The coalition expands that ambition by bringing in corporate partners including NVIDIA, Bank of America, General Motors and AT&T. The group plans to invest in training and credentialing programs run by community colleges and nonprofits while helping connect people with open positions.
For Texas, where the construction industry continues to boom alongside population growth, the skilled trades shortage is particularly acute. Dallas-Fort Worth has been one of the fastest-growing construction markets in the nation, with demand for electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians outpacing supply.
Ellison warned that failing to address the skilled labor shortage could carry broader economic consequences, saying the country could face roughly 2.1 million unfilled skilled trades jobs by 2030 and potential economic losses of up to $1 trillion annually.
Part of the effort is about challenging the idea that a college degree is the only route to professional success, Ellison said. He tied the initiative to his own background, noting that his father did not graduate from high school and describing his path to becoming CEO of two Fortune 500 companies as an example of the American dream.
The coalition plans to work with trade schools and community colleges across multiple states, with a focus on creating apprenticeship pathways and changing public perceptions about skilled trades as a career choice.
