War Department drops $10M for skilled trades program

By Andrew Rice
The Center Square

The U.S. Department of War awarded a $10 million contract on Thursday as part of its Build Freedom project, an effort to develop workers for the skilled trades.

The War Department gave the check to Mike Rowe, an American television host of “Dirty Jobs,” to support the mikeroweWORKS Foundation Scholarship program. The program funds scholarships for veterans to train for skilled trades jobs including plumbers, electricians and welders.

Rowe coordinates the program through BuildFreedom.US, a website that compiles open job opportunities in the skilled trades sector. The website connects veterans with scholarships and educational materials to support transition into the skilled trades sector.

“These jobs are in demand like never before, and they don’t require a college degree,” Rowe said. “My foundation has the money to help you get the training you need.”

Michael Cadenazzi, the assistant secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy, said the COVID-19 health crisis and other societal incentives have pushed people away from skilled trade jobs. He said the U.S. military has struggled as a result of fewer people interested in the skilled trades.

“We’re talking about building careers for the future,” Cadenazzi said. “AI-proof, six-figure jobs and the ability to work across the country and to really meet a demand for the future.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected employment in construction and extraction operations is projected to grow faster than the average for all other occupations from 2024 to 2034. Each year, about 649,300 new jobs are opened on average.

Michael Duffey, the undersecretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment, said the Pentagon is making its investments to shore up military strength and develop better weapons.

“Throughout our history, the industrial strength of the United States has proven to be decisive in our ability to maintain military advantage.

Rowe boasted that his foundation has helped to train over 2,600 workers in sectors including HVAC repair, plumbing and electrical. He said his foundation will work to combat stigmas and stereotypes about work in the skilled trade sector.

Rowe said the traditional four-year college should not be route for a job in the economy.

“If we don’t challenge all of that in a meaningful way, the gap is going to continue to widen, student debt is going to continue to grow and we are going to wind up with a workforce that’s dangerously out of balance,” Rowe said.

He thanked leaders in the Pentagon for their investment in his foundation and promised there would be more announcements in the future.

“Every penny of this check goes to work ethic scholarships for men and women in the [trades],” Rowe said. “If we can get the significant amount of money standing guaranteed to men and women in a trade, then the rest I believe will fall into place.”