Milwaukee backs trade grants

Bring Back the Trades has opened a national tool grant program backed by Milwaukee Tool, with monthly awards for schools and nonprofits starting in April 2026. (bringbackthetrades.org) The nonprofit said public schools and registered nonprofit organizations across the United States can apply for grants of up to $1,500 to support tool programs. Milwaukee Tool is supplying professional-grade trade kits through 2026. (bringbackthetrades.org) Bring Back the Trades announced the program on April 13, 2026, and said the goal is to replace outdated, broken, or consumer-grade classroom equipment with tools closer to what students will use on jobsites. Founder Steve Turner said schools need “tools worth respecting.” (pmmag.com; bringbackthetrades.org) The grant launch extends a partnership that was already visible in 2025, when Milwaukee Tool supported Bring Back the Trades’ website relaunch as a hub for scholarships, events, and career pathways. Milwaukee Tool said then that it was investing more than $10 million a year in hands-on education and training. (milwaukeetool.com; pmmag.com) Milwaukee Tool has tied that spending to a broader target of investing $200 million in the skilled trades by 2030. Company statements in 2025 said the effort covers apprenticeship programs, workforce development, safety education, and career access. (prnewswire.com; forconstructionpros.com) The backdrop is a long-running push by contractors, manufacturers, and trade groups to steer more students toward vocational programs as employers struggle to fill electrician, plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and other skilled jobs. Bring Back the Trades says its mission is to close that trades gap through education and career awareness. (contractormag.com; bringbackthetrades.org) The program is structured as classroom support, not student scholarships: winners receive tools and equipment for training spaces rather than direct cash aid for tuition. Bring Back the Trades said participating programs are also expected to promote safety, maintenance, and craftsmanship standards. (bringbackthetrades.org) For now, the immediate change is simple: schools and community nonprofits can start applying, and the first round of monthly tool grants is underway. Milwaukee Tool’s money is being routed into shop classrooms one kit at a time. (bringbackthetrades.org; tdworld.com)