The Tractor Supply Company Foundation and Carhartt announced a $150,000 donation to SkillsUSA to support training opportunities to help close the country’s skilled trades gap.
Executives from Tractor Supply and Carhartt gathered at the Tractor Supply store in Hendersonville, Tennessee to present the donation check to officers from SkillsUSA Tennessee.
This is the second consecutive year that Tractor Supply and Carhartt have collaborated on a fundraiser featuring exclusive “Support the Trades” merchandise. A portion of the proceeds were donated to SkillsUSA, a nonprofit that provides students with training programs in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. The Tractor Supply Foundation donated an additional $50,000, bringing the total donation to $150,000.
“Workforce development through education and skill development is critical to the communities we call home,” said Jeff Rietveld, Vice President of Divisional Merchandise Management at Tractor Supply. “This partnership with Carhartt has successfully raised thousands of dollars while also increasing awareness around this critical issue. Together, we can help close that gap and introduce students to rewarding and in-demand careers.”
“We are honored to partner with Tractor Supply to continue our legacy of supporting the hardworking people of America’s workforce,” said Keith Reynolds, VP Sales for Carhartt. “We have been proud supporters of SkillsUSA for more than 20 years, and we look forward to seeing the ongoing impact this donation will make in supporting the skilled trades.”
The U.S. is facing a rapidly growing shortage of qualified workers in the skilled trades, which include the construction, manufacturing, transportation, service and healthcare sectors. Recent studies have predicted that millions of jobs in these industries will go unfilled in the coming years, contributing to a substantial loss of revenue for U.S.-based companies and considerable impact for consumers.
“SkillsUSA works daily to empower our members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens,” said Chelle Travis, SkillsUSA Executive Director. “This mission can only be accomplished with the support of valued partners like Tractor Supply and Carhartt. The Support the Trades campaign donation will provide essential resources so SkillsUSA members can develop the skills necessary for success in the trades. This contribution will have a lasting impact on the lives of SkillsUSA members, and we are deeply grateful.”
SkillsUSA partners with middle school, high school and postsecondary students, as well as teachers and industry professionals, to train the future of America’s skilled workforce. Their proven framework provides students with workplace and technical skills grounded in academics and creates opportunities for them to make industry connections. The organization’s curriculum covers 130 job categories, creating a pipeline of talented entry-level workers.
With this donation from the Support the Trades campaign, SkillsUSA will have the ability to expand its reach and offer its training capabilities to even more students.
