In Carrboro, North Carolina, 55 aspiring tradespeople received certificates from Hope Renovations signaling the completion of its pre-apprenticeship program. The graduates ranged in age from 20 to 67 and represent the nonprofit’s largest cohort yet amidst an urgent labor shortage.
In North Carolina, 76% of construction firms in the state cite labor shortages as a top industry concern, outpacing the national level of 59%. Hope Renovations is addressing this critical gap through a $600,000 Gable Grant from the Lowe’s Foundation and offers hands-on training in carpentry, plumbing, electrical work and HVAC training to students in Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh. The grant is part of $5 million that the Lowe’s Foundation has awarded to nine North Carolina organizations with scalable skilled trades training programs over the past two years.
For Ashlyn Langford, 23, the program was a launchpad. She earned her OSHA 10 certification and gained foundational skills in woodworking and project management. Inspired by her mother, who built a commercial cleaning business from the ground up, Langford now plans to pursue a career in residential carpentry and eventually become a licensed general contractor. “Hope Renovations gave me the confidence and tools I needed to move from hourly jobs to building something long-term,” she said.
For Anita Hackett, 59, the trades offered a new direction after retirement. A U.S. Army veteran and Chapel Hill Transit’s first female diesel mechanic, Hackett is now focused on carpentry. Her first project: restoring her own home. “I chose the trades because I wasn’t done solving problems,” she said. “This work takes the same patience and precision I’ve used my entire career.”
“Seeing students like Ashlyn and Anita find their path in the trades is exactly why we invest in programs like Hope Renovations,” said Betsy Conway, Lowe’s Foundation director. “Their journeys show how the right opportunity can spark possibility at any stage of life.”
For more information about the Gable Grants and how the Lowe’s Foundation is investing in the next generation of skilled trades professionals, visit LowesFoundation.org and follow along on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for the latest stories and updates.
