Trade school enrollees encouraged to celebrate National Decision Day by Stanley Black & Decker

Stanley Black & Decker is putting a bit of a different spin on National Decision Day, the traditional day when graduating high-school seniors commit to their college of choice and then typically post their decision on social media.

This year, Stanley Black & Decker is inviting high-school seniors attending a trade school to also join in on the tradition on May 1, by sharing their decision on social media. The company is recognizing high-school seniors entering the trades by providing a variety of free downloadable digital banners, enabling students to use the hashtag #tradeproud on their posts and tag Stanley Black & Decker. The various digital downloadable banners can be accessed here.

“The skilled labor shortage is one of the biggest challenges facing the U.S. economy, with more than 500,000 open jobs in the construction industry alone,” says Robert Raff, co-president & chief commercial officer, tools & outdoor, Stanley Black & Decker. “Over the last several decades, vocational schools and careers in the trades have been overshadowed, despite the competitive compensation and stable career paths they offer.

“At Stanley Black & Decker, we are committed to demonstrating to young people that trade careers are rewarding and fulfilling options,” he continues. “We are proud to celebrate high-school seniors throughout the month of May and look forward to welcoming them, the next generation of skilled tradespeople, to the industry.”

According to Stanley Black & Decker’s 2022 Maker’s Index, there are misconceptions among young people on the long-term financial security and necessary skills needed for a career in the trades:

“While the survey reveals a lack of education about the trades, it also demonstrates there are opportunities to start conversations, close the perception gap and show young people that a career in the skilled trades can be deeply fulfilling. Today’s announcement, encouraging high-school seniors to celebrate their decision to attend trade school, is another step to bring awareness to the merits of skilled trade careers,” states the company.

To support trade education, Stanley Black & Decker launched the Global Impact Challenge in 2021, a five-year, up to $25 million commitment to fund non-profit partners dedicated to vocational skills training and reskilling programs in the skilled trades and manufacturing sectors. The company announced the recipients of its inaugural Empower Makers Global Impact Challenge grant program in March 2022.

In addition, DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, recently announced its 2023 DEWALT Trades Scholarship, totaling $200,000, to 40 individuals across the country to support trade education in fields ranging from engineering to HVAC. The annual scholarship program is a part of a larger commitment from Stanley Black & Decker to close the skilled trades gap in the United States.

The company also offers additional scholarship opportunities for interested students including the Cub Cadet Scholarship, Stanley Black & Decker Trades Award and the DEWALT Patriot Scholarship through a partnership with the Mechanical Contractors Association of America.