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Tony Hannah, Store Manager of Lowe’s of New Albany and Billy Matkins, Building Trades Instructor at SCTE are pictured with the Kobalt tools that were donated to the School of Career & Technical Education as part of the Tough Tools for Cool Schools National Program.

Lowe’s and Kobalt Tools in partnership with SkillsUSA are helping the next generation of skilled trade professionals at the New Albany-Union County School of Career and Technical Education (SCTE) through their new Tough Tools for Cool Schools program.  Lowe’s is donating approximately $600 worth of Kobalt tools to the schools as part of the new national program, which will total $300,000 to more than 500 SkillsUSA building trades and renovation programs across the nation for use in their classrooms.

SkillsUSA advisor Billy Matkins, was selected to receive the tool kit for the local Building Trades program at the SCTE.  “This is a wonderful example of how industry works to partner with education, for the betterment of the technical program to help ensure the success of my students,” said Matkins.  “SkillsUSA has had a huge part in the transformation of my students because it provides skills and leadership training that they don’t get anywhere else.  Lowe’s support just reinforces what we are teaching in the classroom and shows the value of education-industry partnerships.”

“Lowe’s is proud to work with Kobalt Tools and SkillsUSA to continue to prepare America’s future skilled work force and help students excel in their chosen career paths,” said Larry D. Stone, Lowe’s president and chairman of Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation.  “With Kobalt tools in their toolbox, and education and knowledge from SkillsUSA and their schools, we believe students will be ready to succeed when they enter the work force.”

SkillsUSA Executive Director Timothy Lawrence agreed.  “The donation of Kobalt Tools to SkillsUSA’s building trades labs nationwide will help prepare the next generation of workers and leaders for the challenging and competitive construction workforce of the 21st century.  The youth who will benefit from this generous donation will build and maintain our homes, schools, and commercial structures in the future,” Lawrence said.  “Through the Tough Tools for Cool Schools program, SkillsUSA, Lowe’s and our technical training schools are building something together that will truly make a lasting impact.”