The Lowe’s Foundation awarded $1 million to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College as a part of a select group of community and technical colleges receiving Gable Grants. Since awarding its first grants one year ago, the foundation has expanded skilled trades career pathways through its growing network of 35 community colleges and nonprofits in rural and urban communities across 27 states.  

The Wiregrass Foundation North will use this grant to build a 53-foot construction trailer and hire an instructor to provide educational training in a variety of residential and commercial trades to graduating high school seniors, adult learners, and individuals enrolled in Georgia Department of Corrections education programs.  The 53-foot trailer will remove transportation barriers for hundreds of students and host an “industry-ready” program to help combat the construction workforce shortage in rural South Georgia. 

Wiregrass President DeAnnia Clements shared, “Wiregrass is very excited to be partnering with the Lowe’s Foundation.  This grant will allow us to make a significant impact on the workforce by focusing on providing training in skilled trades areas such as plumbing, electrical, and construction and introducing students to careers in high-wage fields.”

From funding new skilled trades facilities and instructors to accreditation programs, the grants will support carpentry and construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and appliance repair training.  These grants build on the foundation’s first cohort of community college Gable Grants announced in 2023 and are the latest in the Lowe’s Foundation’s five-year, $50 million commitment to support the training of 50,000 people for skilled trades careers. 

Wiregrass is currently accepting new students for Fall Semester, classes start on August 12.  To learn more about the college and programs offered visit Wiregrass.edu.