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The National Association of Women in Construction’s Women in Construction Week was founded in 1998 to celebrate and promote women in one of the most critical industries in the country. According to current U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are approximately 400,000 open jobs for skilled construction workers. Of the more than 8 million people that are currently employed in the industry, only 11 percent of them are women. These are well-paying jobs but require training and experience. 

The Home Depot Foundation’s Path to Pro program – the same program that has graduated tens of thousands of veterans – is offering programs and scholarships to those enrolled or entering construction trade programs. The Home Depot Foundation has committed $50 million to develop the workforce required for the industry, including for youth, high school and trade school students, underserved communities and the aforementioned veterans. 

The program provides first-hand experience for trainees that they can use on the job and help to secure a position after the program. 

“We’re in the houses, we’re tearing out those floors, we’re installing those faucets. They come back skilled and they come back empowered. These are the skills they have learned through Team Depot projects,” said Veronica J. a Home Depot store manager and Team Depot captain. 

The program is also part of an effort to expand awareness and understanding of non-college jobs, something that has often been overlooked. “When I was young, the only path was college – not technical school. That’s changing now. It’s a great option for students who are interested in entering the construction field,” said Natasha W., another store manager and Team Depot captain. 

The projects that offer the learning for Path to Pro students are part of the Home Depot Foundation’s community works, primarily around home construction and repair for communities impacted by natural disaster. Since 2011, Team Depot volunteers have racked up more than 2.5 million hours of volunteer time on nearly 2,500 projects around the country. More than $550 million has been invested in veteran causes and impacted on more than 65,000 veteran homes or facilities. The Home Depot Foundation has pledged another $250 million to veterans’ causes by 2030 and they have also committed more than $9 million to disaster response and recovery just in 2024. These contributions do not even count the impact their trainees will have in their future work and lives. 

“Thanks to The Home Depot Foundation’s Path to Pro program, I have a career that I love. I enjoy paving the way for other young women to join the trades,” said Ashley H., Path to Pro scholar.