SkillsUSA, a partner in the Generation T national movement launched by Lowe’s Home Improvement to address the widening skills gap, has received a $1.2 million grant for support of SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conferences. The Lowe’s state grants are tiered based on the state’s total SkillsUSA membership for the 2018-19 school year.

“We are thrilled to receive a combined $17,500 grant from Lowe’s for our secondary and postsecondary associations,” said SkillsUSA Georgia Postsecondary State Director Tjazha Mazhani. “It will help defray the enormous costs of the 2020 SkillsUSA Georgia State Leadership and Skills conference and will enhance the student experience across our contests. We plan to use the funds for state conference equipment, supplies, and competitive recognition activities.”

The SkillsUSA Georgia State Leadership and Skills Conference will be held March 12-14, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. More than 4,000 students and teachers will attend the conference. Students will participate as competitors or as voting delegates. Competitors are focused on one technical skill, while delegates represent their state and conduct the business of their organization.

SkillsUSA joined more than 60 Generation T organizations across the nation who are facilitating the education and training needed to populate the skilled trades industry, close the job skills gap and shape a new perception of the skilled trades. Together, Gen T seeks to drive enrollment in skilled trade training and build a pipeline of skilled trade workers to offset the anticipated gap of 3 million jobs by 2028. 

“It is thrilling to see our state associations receive these grants,” said SkillsUSA executive director Chelle Travis. “Our SkillsUSA state associations directors are the lifeblood of our organization and these state associations work directly with teachers and students nationwide to deliver our programs and manage exceptional competitions. These grants will improve the quality of our state conferences.”