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The Lowe’s Foundation announced this week that nearly $8 million in grants will go toward supporting skilled trades nationwide. Part of that money will come to Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC), as the school is one of 10 institutions to receive funding through the program. 

The grants are the first in a five-year, $50 million commitment to help prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers. This investment will fund cutting-edge programs in appliance repair, carpentry, construction, electrical, HVAC and plumbing.

“These deserving schools are driving transformation in the skilled trades workforce through sustainable and inclusive career pathways. We had many outstanding applicants for these grants, which speaks to the urgency needed to increase the capacity for skilled trades labor nationwide,” said Janice Dupré, Lowe’s executive vice president of human resources and chair of the Lowe’s Foundation. “Our grants are inclusive of all groups to ensure we achieve the overall goal of preparing 50,000 people for skilled trades careers in five years, including groups that are traditionally underrepresented in the trades, such as women, people of color, people in rural areas and individuals participating in second-chance programs. We are confident that these college programs will strengthen the skilled trades infrastructure for years to come.”

SVCC’s student services team has been working hard getting new Panthers ready for the fall semester by hosting three new student orientation sessions on both the Christanna and John H. Daniel campuses. The last sessions will be held on Aug. 3rd; Christanna campus at 10:30 a.m. and Daniel campus at 1 p.m.