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DEWALT® Trades Scholarship Now Accepting Applications
DeWalt, in partnership with The SkillPointe Foundation, has announced the launch of the 2026 DEWALT Trades Scholarship. The DeWalt Trades Scholarship is part of the brand’s larger Grow The Trades Initiative, a pledge to invest $60 million by 2030 in support of current and aspiring tradespeople. To date, DeWalt has awarded more than $20 million in scholarships, grants and tool donations. This year’s program will provide $200,000 in scholarships – 40 awards of $5,000 each – to help students in the U.S. and Canada pursue training and education in high-demand skilled trades.
“Across the skilled trades, we are seeing a generation of experienced professionals begin to retire, while simultaneously, new demand is being generated by infrastructure projects such as data centers and EV plants” said James Oh, president of DeWalt. “It is critical that DeWalt invests in the next wave of talent to keep the industry thriving and to empower the future builders and problem-solvers of the world.”
Skilled trades remain at the heart of economic growth, yet the labour shortage continues to challenge industries across North America. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are nearly 650,000 annual job openings across construction, industrial, mechanical, power and technology-related trades, driven by both growth and the need to backfill retiring workers. In Canada, by 2033, the industry’s overall hiring requirements are expected to reach upwards of 350,000 due to the retirement of more than 260,000 workers, or 21 percent of the current labour force, and growth in worker demand of more than 88,000.
“Our skill scholarship programs, in partnership with brands like DeWalt, reduce financial barriers so aspiring workers can access the education and hands-on training needed to step into high-demand careers and critical roles that power our economy,” said Alvin Townley, founding CEO of SkillPointe Foundation.
Applications for the DEWALT Trades Scholarship are open now through Feb. 28. For more information and to apply.