Lowe's, the Lowe’s Foundation and Hiring our Heroes are launching a skilled trades academy focused on helping military members and spouses transition into trades careers.

The program, which creates a bridge from active duty to civilian careers, aims to solve two national issues: the shortage of trades professionals in the country and the high unemployment rate among veterans and their spouses, according to Elizabeth O’Brien, senior vice president of events and programs at Hiring Our Heroes.

Young veterans have faced an unprecedented hardship, compared to their civilian peers, in attaining a job. In June 2025, the veteran unemployment rate was 3.7%, which is up from 2.9% the prior year, according to the Labor Department. However, the unemployment rate for military spouses is at about 2

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