nvesting in skilled trades is essential for addressing workforce shortages and empowering communities. The Lowe’s Foundation’s $700,000 Gable Grant to Alaska Works Partnership (AWP), as reported by Alaska Business Magazine, will expand free construction training to 500 additional participants over the next two years. This funding allows AWP to increase capacity by 50%, offering hands-on training in carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and more. By supporting programs like Women in the Trades and Helmets to Hardhats, this partnership strengthens Alaska’s construction workforce while creating meaningful career opportunities. It’s a significant step toward building a skilled and resilient future.
Home Improvement
| Alaska Works Partnership Expands Training with Lowe’s Foundation Grant
Alaska Works Partnership Expands Training with Lowe’s Foundation Grant
Published March 12, 2025, 9:50 AM EST
The Lowe’s Foundation has awarded a $700,000 Gable Grant to the Alaska Works Partnership (AWP), enabling the nonprofit to increase its free, hands-on construction training capacity by 50% over the next two years. This expansion will provide training in carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and building maintenance across Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the Mat-Su region. The grant aims to address Alaska’s skilled labor shortage, which has seen construction employment grow by 18% from 2023 to 2024, yet still faces a significant gap in available workers for job openings.
March 12, 2025 – Christi Foist
HG Homeclub, the trusted voice for home improvement and building industry insights, spotlights a critical advancement in workforce development with the Alaska Works Partnership’s (AWP) recent receipt of a $700,000 Gable Grant from the Lowe’s Foundation. This significant funding infusion will enable AWP to expand its hands-on, no-cost construction training programs across Alaska by training an additional 500 individuals over the next two years — a transformative leap that addresses persistent labor shortages while driving industry growth and inclusivity.
Strategic Workforce Investment in Alaska’s Booming Construction Sector
The construction industry in Alaska is experiencing an unprecedented surge. According to industry data, employment in the sector grew by 18% from 2023 to 2024, with associated trades such as plumbing, electrical, and carpentry also seeing robust increases. Despite this, Alaska faces a stark imbalance: over one-third of construction job openings remain unfilled due to a shortage of qualified workers — a challenge that threatens project timelines, quality, and economic expansion.
The Alaska Works Partnership, a public-private collaboration that unites the Alaska Department of Labor, local unions, community colleges, and private employers, is responding to this challenge head-on. The infusion from the Lowe’s Foundation will expand AWP’s footprint in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the Mat-Su Valley, enabling 18 additional skills training cohorts — a 50% increase in training capacity — in high-demand trades including carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and building maintenance.
“Investing in people’s skills is essential for Alaska’s economic future,” says Alexis Cowell, Executive Director of AWP. “This grant allows us to build a stronger, more inclusive workforce that meets the evolving needs of the construction industry and supports our communities.”
Elevating Diversity and Opportunity through Tailored Programs
A hallmark of AWP’s approach is its dedication to broadening access to construction careers among historically underrepresented groups. Programs such as Women in the Trades, Helmets to Hardhats, and specialized rural outreach initiatives provide targeted support and training pathways for women, veterans, and residents in remote areas, helping break down barriers to entry.
Case in point: apprentice Jana Mabie leveraged AWP’s training to launch her career in electrical work with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). In an industry where women constitute a small fraction of the workforce, Mabie’s story reflects how hands-on education combined with peer support networks is redefining who can succeed in construction trades.
Economic Impact and Industry Resilience
The ripple effects of AWP’s training expansion extend beyond individual career development. By addressing labor shortages, the initiative strengthens Alaska’s construction supply chain, reduces project delays, and enhances the quality and safety of built environments. In a broader context, skilled trade employment fuels local economies, drives consumer spending, and catalyzes infrastructure development critical for Alaska’s growth.
For contractors and developers, access to a more qualified and diverse labor pool mitigates risks associated with project delivery and cost overruns, enabling them to pursue larger and more complex developments with confidence.
Looking Ahead: A Model for Workforce Development
HG Homeclub views the Alaska Works Partnership’s expanded training initiative as a blueprint for effective workforce development in regional construction markets facing similar challenges. The collaboration between public agencies, private industry, labor organizations, and philanthropic partners like the Lowe’s Foundation exemplifies the multi-stakeholder strategy necessary to sustain long-term industry vitality.
As the construction sector navigates headwinds including labor shortages, evolving technology, and changing demographics, scalable and inclusive training programs will be paramount to meeting demand and fostering innovation.
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