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National Schools to Skills Grant Program to provide $13,000 grants to schools

February 17, 2021

Image w/ yellow HBI hardhat and details about the Schools to Skills grant programThe Home Builders Institute (HBI)The Home Depot Foundation (THDF) and the National Housing Endowment (NHE) will provide $13,000 grants to eligible school districts for construction-related education. Eligible districts must use the funds to provide programs and skills training in the residential building and construction trades. Deadline to apply: March 31, 2021.

Nationally recognized training

The two-year grant program, offered to students at no cost, provides HBI’s nationally recognized, patented Pre-Apprenticeship Certification Training (PACT) curriculum and industry-recognized certifications to middle school and high school students.

USDOL approved

One of only three national curricula recognized and approved by the U.S. Department of Labor and many state departments of education, PACT provides hands-on, competency-based curriculum aligned with the Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) educational model. STEM curriculum focuses on discipline areas increasingly prominent in the modern workforce, including science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Funding available to schools new to HBI

The grant program funds secondary schools new to HBI who do not currently use the HBI PACT curriculum and who are unable to fund the start-up costs to license the PACT curriculum.

Districts can receive grants of as much as $13,000 per district, based on need, to be used toward:

  • HBI PACT licensing fees ($7,500 Initial Year/$2,000 Renewal Year);
  • Instructor training for two instructors ($2,000); and
  • PACT Student Assessments ($1,500) for a period not to exceed two years.

Funding covers the 2021-2022 academic year.  To apply, please complete the grant application.

Grant Process

  • Early May 2021: Grant awards announced
  • May – July 2021: License agreements drafted and finalized
  • Late July 2021: Instructor training & certification occurs
  • Fall 2021: Schools expected to implement curriculum
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