Anyone thinking about a career in the skilled trades now has more support than at any point before. A new national program, backed by Lowe’s Foundation, Bank of America, AT&T, Nvidia and others, is part of a growing wave of investment meant to help more people land rewarding jobs in the trades. Here at Exam Insiders, we’ve been helping adult learners prepare for and pass their exams since 2023, and we break down what these developments mean for you below.
A Coalition With a One-Million-Worker Goal
The Building Futures Skilled Trades Coalition was announced in September 2026. Led by Lowe’s Foundation, it launched with more than 75 founding members, uniting businesses, educators and workforce development specialists to support new training and development efforts.
The coalition’s target is to help train one million people by 2035. Its priorities include changing how people view trade careers, growing existing training and credentialing programs, and tracking measurable progress as trainees move into jobs. By linking employers directly with educators, the program aims to help more people turn new skills into long-term careers.
Why Companies Are Putting More Money Into the Trades
The coalition reflects a broader trend of increased funding for skilled trades education. An aging workforce heading into retirement, heavy infrastructure demand and other pressures have strained the supply of qualified tradespeople. More than 2 million skilled trades jobs could be left unfilled by 2030.
The shortage affects nearly every trade. Projects urgently need electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, HVAC technicians, equipment operators and more. Training partnerships are expected to be central to closing these gaps by preparing more workers to enter the field.
More Initiatives Supporting Skilled Workers
Lowe’s Foundation has also expanded its Gable Grants program, which funds training through community colleges and nonprofit organizations. The foundation has committed $250 million toward training 250,000 tradespeople by 2035.
Another significant 2026 launch is the Alliance for America’s Skilled Trades, supported by major organizations such as Google, Ford and BlackRock. Its mission is to widen access to trade careers and apprenticeships to help address workforce shortages.
What This Means for Aspiring Contractors
If you’re weighing a move into the skilled trades, the takeaway is simple: opportunities are more plentiful than ever. Look around your area for community college courses, apprenticeships and other supported programs.
These initiatives are making training easier to access. Reducing costs is one piece of that, but it’s not the only kind of help available. Many programs also assist future contractors in meeting entry requirements before training begins and in finding job placement once training is complete.
Remember that education, experience and other requirements are set by your state and local licensing authorities, and they can differ a lot from place to place. Check with those agencies and take time to map out your career path before you begin.
Moving Forward in Your Trade Career
With this many new opportunities opening up, now is an excellent time to consider a career in the skilled trades. Once you’ve chosen your path, preparing for your licensing exam is a key step toward earning your contractor’s license, and solid exam prep resources can help you get there with confidence.