SkillsUSA National Signing Day … Students like Jacob Jackson, who grew up working beside his dadSkillsUSA National Signing Day … Students like Julia Warren, who found her calling through sheet metal and physics…And special guests like Sam Darnold, who knows the value of the trades firsthand The Lowe’s Foundation recently celebrated a record-setting SkillsUSA National Read more
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The Lowe’s Foundation recently celebrated a record-setting SkillsUSA National Signing Day in style as over 3,500 students nationwide said “yes” to skilled trades careers and apprenticeships. This included five “blue carpet” ceremonies at Lowe’s stores to cheer on these students alongside their families, future employers, SkillsUSA advisers and NFL quarterback Sam Darnold.
The perception of blue-collar careers is undergoing a generational transformation. More Gen Z students are choosing purpose-driven, skills-based paths over traditional four-year degrees—reflected in the surging enrollment at community and technical colleges nationwide. This shift isn’t happening in isolation. It’s often powered by the encouragement of parents who recognize the value, stability and opportunity these careers provide — no longer a “plan B” but an intentional path forward. Especially among SkillsUSA student signers, the support of their parents has been instrumental. Their stories reflect a cultural shift. More than ever, they view skilled trades as a strategic and purpose-driven career choice.
SkillsUSA National Signing Day … Students like Jacob Jackson, who grew up working beside his dad
Jacob, a high school senior who walked the blue carpet in Seattle, plans to attend Universal Technical Institute to pursue a career in HVAC technology and start his own business.
“Working with my dad and growing up in the trades has given me the opportunity to meet tons of people in the industry,” Jacob said. “Almost all of them said it’s the way to go.”
His father, Daniel, said, “I work in the skilled trades and couldn’t be happier with (Jacob’s) choice. Without the trades, we wouldn’t have the infrastructure that folks rely on every day. Jacob’s interest in HVAC combines knowledge of electrical, plumbing, engineering; it’s a well-rounded trade.”
SkillsUSA National Signing Day … Students like Julia Warren, who found her calling through sheet metal and physics
Julia, a student from Washington, is pursuing an HVAC apprenticeship through the Western Washington Sheet Metal JATC (Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee). Initially on a college-bound engineering track, she found her passion after being placed in a woodshop class and fell in love with the craft.
“I find the material, benefits and wage to be the most appealing as a promising career path,” Julia explained.
Her mom, Kathy, has seen her daughter’s confidence soar.
“My daughter is an excellent student; not much has changed there. But I have noticed she has taken more of a liking to physics and math, and is willing to do trial and error on projects,” Kathy said. “My daughter was thinking about going to college to become an engineer. But after she did the pre-apprenticeship for the sheet metal union, she felt this was a better fit.”
…And special guests like Sam Darnold, who knows the value of the trades firsthand
At the Seattle Lowe’s #2734 (3511 5th Street SE, Puyallup, WA 98374), students were joined by a surprise guest — NFL quarterback Sam Darnold, who took a moment to speak to the crowd.
His message was simple but powerful:
These jobs are the backbone of our communities, and the people who do them deserve a whole lot more recognition. These students are stepping into a future that’s not only bright but absolutely vital to our communities.”
Sam’s father recorded a special message congratulating the student signers:
“I’ve been a medical gas plumber for nearly 30 years. I want to start off by congratulating the SkillsUSA students on their commitment to skilled trades careers this month. We need you. As I look back on my experience as a tradesperson, I found an extreme source of pride in providing products and services to countless hospitals and medical facilities over the years.”
“I took pride in my dependability – being early, willing to stay late, doing whatever it took to finish the job right. This mindset made me a valuable contributor for my company and customers, which became an example to both of our children, as we witnessed in Sam’s athletic career over the years. Again, I wish you all the same success and rewards that I’ve experienced in the trades. It’s a journey well worth traveling.”
As students like Jacob and Julia sign for success on SkillsUSA National Signing Day, they’re redefining what success looks like.
It’s a movement—and it’s just getting started.
Since 2023, the Lowe’s Foundation has awarded over $34 million in Gable Grants to over 50 organizations across the nation offering innovative skilled trades training. Through these grants, program participants are strengthening their skills in carpentry and construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and appliance repair.
To learn more about the Lowe’s Foundation, visit Lowes.com/Foundation and follow on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
For more info on SkillsUSA, https://mechanical-hub.com/2024-skillsusa-plumbing-championship-winners/
A part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, Greenlee hosted a day of hands-on STEM learning Greenlee®, part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, hosted its second “We Love STEM Day” on July 15th for 13 students in grades three through eight. The event was designed to support local schools and engage students in science, technology, engineering Read more
A part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, Greenlee hosted a day of hands-on STEM learning
Greenlee®, part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, hosted its second “We Love STEM Day” on July 15th for 13 students in grades three through eight. The event was designed to support local schools and engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It also helped Greenlee demonstrate the role these vital subjects play in manufacturing.
“Our second annual ‘We Love STEM Day’ was a success in encouraging a love of learning STEM subjects in the next generation of creators, innovators and inventors,” said Jennifer Hoang, event chair of Greenlee’s “We Love STEM Day” for Emerson. “The excitement and energy students had for learning about STEM and the way it is used in the work we do was inspiring.”
Students participated in a variety of hands-on activities that strengthened their problem-solving skills, including Lego® maze coding, building towers out of pasta, egg drop competitions and hydraulic claw building.
Greenlee is a proud supporter of local programs and education-based initiatives throughout Winnebago County where Greenlee is based, including Northern Illinois University’s STEMfest and Academy Expo. Greenlee also participates in National Manufacturing Day, where local high school students are invited to tour the Greenlee headquarters and learn about manufacturing careers. Greenlee additionally partners with current and future trade professionals by regularly donating its products for educational purposes.
Emerson’s professional tools business includes Greenlee, as well as the RIDGID® and Klauke® brands and provides the industry’s broadest portfolio of advanced, reliable tools and technologies for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing trades globally. Visit emerson.com/professionaltools for more information.
Greenlee®, RIDGID®, and Klauke® are trademarks of Emerson or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks belong to their respective holders.
Wilo, a provider of pumps and pump solutions for water management, building services and groundwater, was proud to sponsor Thomas University’s ‘Camp STEMtastic’ this summer through the Wilo-Foundation. The camp is the University’s science and technology-focused summer program for young students, and the foundation has been an active sponsor since 2015. Wilo USA was pleased Read more
Wilo, a provider of pumps and pump solutions for water management, building services and groundwater, was proud to sponsor Thomas University’s ‘Camp STEMtastic’ this summer through the Wilo-Foundation. The camp is the University’s science and technology-focused summer program for young students, and the foundation has been an active sponsor since 2015.
The students pose alongside camp leaders and Wilo USA’s Director of Operations, Darren McGuire, after an afternoon at Wilo’s production facility in Thomasville, GA.
Wilo USA was pleased to welcome this year’s group of rising 8th grade student campers to its production facility in Thomasville, GA as part of the STEMtastic program. The theme for this year’s camp was ‘The Human Machine,’ and campers’ activities and learning experiences throughout the week focused on simple and complex machines related to how the systems in the human body function together to complete specific tasks.
The students toured the Wilo USA facility on the fourth day of the camp and learned about the complex machines and systems used in production, as well as how Wilo pumps work to treat water supply and sewage within cities’ infrastructure. The campers also participated in a hands-on activity led by Wilo USA’s Director of Operations, Darren McGuire, in which they worked in teams to assemble two versions of a simple circulation system. They then used a Wilo circulator to pump dyed water through the piping structures they created, demonstrating how the human circulation system functions.
Students prepare to test their team project using a Wilo circulator to pump dyed water through a simple piping system.
On the last day of the camp, campers’ friends and family members attended a reception in which the students gave a presentation highlighting the events of the week. The group enjoyed a demonstration of the students’ project for the week, which was to build a simple machine to complete a specific task. Wilo was proud to take an active role in the program again this year and looks forward to continuing community involvement. You can learn more about the Wilo-Foundation and their ongoing support of science, education, culture and sport at www.wilo-foundation.de/en.html.