NCCER was selected as this year’s For the Love of Labor honoree—a $100,000 grant program begun by Carhartt to recognize nonprofits in apprenticeship industries. This year, Carhartt took those honors one step further with its inaugural Steel Apple Awards, which are “a tribute to vocational educators who have devoted their lives to teaching essential skills that power the trades and shape the workforce,” says Todd Corley, senior vice president of inclusion, sustainability and community at Carhartt. Launched in 2020, the For the Love of Labor grant has awarded 27 recipients and nearly $3 million in total. Carhartt hopes the Steel Apple Awards will become a similar support pipeline for construction instructors and conjure a deeper sense of appreciation for their students—who are the future of the workforce.
Corley recently sat down with Construction Executive to share the programs’ inspiration and history, their mission to support skilled-trades workforce development and the reactions from grant recipients that have made it all worthwhile.
What was the inspiration for starting the For the Love of Labor program?
Carhartt created this program to deepen our support for the next generation of America’s trade workforce. The initiative was designed to give back to the skilled-trades community and reinforce the value of hands-on work. As a brand built by and for hardworking people, Carhartt has a unique opportunity to provide meaningful support where it matters most—in classrooms, training programs and communities teaching, practicing and passing down vocational trade skills to support the future of America’s workforce.
What are the parameters for awarding a grant?
To be considered for Carhartt’s For the Love of Labor grant program, organizations must be U.S.-based 501©3 designated organizations in recognized apprenticeship industries that serve at least 100 individuals annually.
This spring, Carhartt selected the National Center for Construction Education & Research as its 0,000 grant recipient. The grant will support NCCER’s High School Builder Program, bringing accredited career and technical education programs to four high schools across the country. NCCER was selected based on a variety of factors, including its commitment to teaching excellence, student impact and long-term commitment to vocational education.
What was the inspiration for the Steel Apple Awards?
The Steel Apple Awards are Carhartt’s distinctive spin on the timeless gesture of gifting an apple to a favorite teacher and the Golden Apple awards, which are frequently won by teachers in traditional studies. The Steel Apple Awards are a tribute to vocational educators, who are often overlooked, but who have devoted their lives to teaching essential skills that power the trades and shape the workforce. With a signature steel twist representing the hardworking fruits of hands-on skilled trades work and its impact in the community, Carhartt infused its rugged identity into a lasting symbol of gratitude for those helping build the future of America.
Do you hope these programs will bolster the efforts of the larger industry in shrinking the skilled-labor shortage?
At Carhartt, we’re committed to investing in the future of work and serving the next generation of skilled laborers. We’re deeply invested in supporting programs that work to close the skilled-labor gap, and through programs like For the Love of Labor, partnerships with organizations like NCCER and the Steel Apple Awards, we’re proud to help ensure the next generation is equipped, inspired and supported to enter these essential careers.
What are the parameters for selecting a nonprofit and educators?
For the Steel Apple Awards, NCCER played a key role in helping us nominate the top trade-skills educators across the country. The teachers who were chosen as the inaugural recipients were evaluated based on their specific experiences, a minimum of five years teaching a skilled trade and their track record of guiding students into meaningful careers post-graduation.
Why did Carhartt choose to support NCCER this year? What was NCCER’s reaction?
Carhartt selected NCCER for its proven leadership in the construction education sector and its unwavering commitment to skilled workforce development. With a mission rooted in standardized training, safety and credentialing, NCCER plays a critical role in advancing the skilled trades. The partnership was met with enthusiasm and a shared sense of purpose—uniting two organizations dedicated to equipping the next generation with the tools and skills needed to help close the skilled-trades gap.
What were the Steel Apple Awards recipients’ reactions to learning they were selected?
Across the board, the recipients were headlined by surprise, joy and gratitude for the recognition. Many teachers were genuinely overwhelmed and surprised to be celebrated for the behind-the-scenes, tireless work they pour into their classrooms every day. They were also very moved when they found out their students would be beneficiaries of the award—as the students received Carhartt gear bags and each teacher was awarded a $10,000 grant for continued investment in their classroom.
What was the reaction from the students upon receiving their Carhartt gear?
Many of the students immediately wore their Carhartt gear through the halls with pride after the award ceremonies. We hope the gear serves them as a useful tool as they continue their education and work toward meaningful careers in the skilled trades. Beyond the gear, it was powerful to see the excitement and pride from the students for their winning teachers. It was evident the teachers have made lasting impacts that the students will carry with them—both inside and outside the classroom.
Where do you hope to see both programs going by 2030?
Moving forward, the hope is that both For the Love of Labor and the Steel Apple Awards continue to grow in impact and reach. Since the program’s inception in 2020, Carhartt has awarded 27 grants totaling nearly $3 million. The focus will remain on sustained support, deepening partnerships and consistent investment in people and programs dedicated to educating, training and placing workers into meaningful skilled-trades jobs that keep our nation running.
