Houston City College has received a $1 million grant to expand skilled trades training and prepare more students for careers across the Greater Houston region.
The HCC skilled trades grant, awarded through the Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grants program, is expected to support training for 500 students. College and foundation officials celebrated the investment during a recent HCC Board of Trustees meeting.
Grant Will Expand Skilled Trades Programs
The funding will expand training opportunities in electrical work, carpentry, welding, construction, plumbing, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning.
These programs prepare students for essential roles in Houston’s construction and infrastructure sectors. The grant will also fund scholarships, helping reduce financial barriers for students entering the trades.
“This investment will allow us to expand access to life-changing career opportunities, train hundreds of skilled trades professionals, and help meet workforce demand driven by Houston’s continued growth in construction and infrastructure,” HCC Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher said.
Officials presented a ceremonial check to the college during the board meeting. Lowe’s Foundation representatives and local Lowe’s employees also toured training facilities at HCC’s Eastside campus.
The visit offered foundation officials a closer look at the facilities and programs that will support the initiative.
HCC Skilled Trades Grant Addresses Worker Shortage
HCC is one of 10 community colleges nationwide selected for the initiative. The participating institutions were recognized for their workforce development efforts and industry partnerships.
The investment arrives as employers face a growing shortage of skilled trades professionals. According to the U.S. Department of Education, an estimated 2.1 million skilled trades positions could remain unfilled by 2030.
The shortage could result in annual economic losses reaching $1 trillion, according to the department. Expanding training capacity could help employers fill essential positions while creating new career pathways for students.
“The Lowe’s Foundation is addressing this challenge through strategic investments in education and training that increase workforce capacity and create pathways to rewarding careers,” said Janice Dupré, Lowe’s executive vice president of human resources and president and chair of the Lowe’s Foundation.
Dupré said the foundation is connecting educators, workforce organizations and community partners to strengthen the national skilled trades workforce.
Scholarships Will Support Career Access
Scholarship funding will help more students complete the training needed for high-demand careers. It may also make career education more accessible to students who face financial obstacles.
Unlike many traditional degree paths, skilled trades programs focus on practical training connected to specific occupations. Students can develop technical abilities needed by employers in construction, manufacturing and building maintenance.
For HCC, the grant supports its mission to provide affordable education that responds to regional workforce needs. It also strengthens the college’s role in supporting Houston’s continued economic and infrastructure growth.
“This is more than a grant,” HCC Board Chair Eva Loredo said. “It is a vote of confidence in our students, our faculty and the important role community colleges play in meeting the workforce needs of Texas and the nation.”
As Houston continues to grow, trained electricians, welders, plumbers, carpenters and HVAC professionals will remain important to the region. The new funding will help HCC connect hundreds of students with the preparation needed to pursue those careers.