$2 million up for grabs to public high school skilled trades programs, 700 supply kits donated to students

U.S. public high school skilled trades teachers can now apply for a portion of $2 million in cash prizes from Harbor Freight Tools for Schools to benefit their schools.

The deadline to apply for this year’s Prize for Teaching Excellence is May 1. Twenty-five prizes will be announced in the fall.

Five teachers will win five grand prizes of $100,000 each — $30,000 to keep and $70,000 for each of their programs. Twenty additional winners will receive $75,000 each — $25,000 to keep and $50,000 for each of their programs.

Teachers whose school, district, or state policy prohibits the receipt of the individual portion of prize earnings are eligible to apply on behalf of their school’s skilled trades program.

The total prize money amount was increased this year from $1.5 million to mark the 10th anniversary.

Since 2017, more than $10 million in prize funds has been awarded to 183 skilled trades teachers and their programs. It recognizes outstanding instruction and the valuable work of teachers who inspire students to learn a trade that prepares them for life after graduation, according to a Harbor Freight Tools for Schools press release.

“The best skilled trades programs embody what great hands-on teaching and learning should look like in any classroom,” the release states. “Excellent skilled trades teachers are deeply knowledgeable and passionate about their subject matter and the potential of their students, teach skills in leadership and collaboration, and offer a relevant curriculum that is connected to skilled trades career pathways.”

Harbor Freight Tools for Schools says its mission is to increase understanding, support, and investment in skilled trades education in U.S. public high schools. The Prize for Teaching Excellence is its flagship program.

“For the past 10 years, we have been honored to celebrate remarkably skilled trades teachers across the United States,” said Danny Corwin, executive director of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, in the release. “Given the escalating shortage of skilled trades professionals in the United States, the work of high school skilled trades teachers is more urgent and important than ever before.”

Eric Smidt, Harbor Freight Tools owner and founder, added, “We’re incredibly grateful for the difference these outstanding teachers are making every day in preparing the next generation of tradespeople.”

More than 600 Sherwin-Williams employees also recently helped put together over 700 shop supply kits to donate to aspiring vocational students and their schools across the country.

The kits included over a dozen practical, real-world shop floor items from Sherwin-Williams, 3M, SAS, and Motor Guard, such as personal protection equipment, shop tools, and a special coupon for future equipment or repair project needs at any Sherwin-Williams Automotive branch. Each kit was worth more than $130 each.

“This kind of industry-driven team building boosts employee engagement and collaboration while enhancing communication among our own teams,” said T. J. Amabile, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes vice president of sales, in a press release. “Not to mention, it provides a significant sense of pride and personal achievement in knowing we’re helping the industry’s future talent, today. All these shop supply kits are destined for vocational schools to provide essential tools and supplies to students, helping bridge the gap between education and real professional practice.”

Sherwin-Williams worked with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) to identify the recipients, which also handled shipping and distribution.

The automotive and collision industry repair vocational schools that received nearly 100 kits each were:

• • Ohio Technical College, Cleveland Ohio
  • Medina County Career Center, Medina, Ohio
  • Tennessee College of Applied Technology, Nashville, Tennessee
  • Ivy Tech Community College, Fort Wayne, Indiana
  • New York Automotive & Diesel Institute, Jamaica, New York
  • Ogden High School, Ogden, Utah
  • Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville Arkansas
  • El Camino College, Torrance, California

“Supporting the next generation of collision repair professionals is one of the most meaningful investments we can make as an industry,” said Scott Walton, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes’ associated products marketing director, in the release. “By assembling and delivering 700-plus shop supply kits to vocational programs across the country, our team — and our incredibly generous vendor partners — are helping students start their careers with the tools and supplies they need to succeed.

“We are deeply grateful to each supplier who contributed to this initiative. Their commitment to giving back reflects the true spirit of our industry, and together we’re helping empower the future technicians who will keep it strong.”

Images

Featured image provided by Harbor Freight Tools for Schools