Tractor Supply and Carhartt Launch Apparel Collection to Support Skilled Trades
Rural lifestyle retailer Tractor Supply Company, the Tractor Supply Company Foundation, and workwear brand Carhartt come together to launch a special 2023 “Support the Trades” apparel collection to bring awareness to and advance skilled trades in the U.S.
Apparel Supporting Skilled Trades
Support the Trades first launched in 2021, offering exclusive branded merchandise in Tractor Supply stores and online — all designed by Carhartt. The third iteration features an expanded selection, including short- and long-sleeve shirts in various colors, three hats, and two beanies. Items range in price from $24.99 to $34.99.
A portion of every sale will be donated to SkillsUSA, a nonprofit serving middle, high, and postsecondary school students preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations. Trades include welders, machinists, plumbers, landscape architects, and even screen printers. Tractor Supply Company, the Tractor Supply Company Foundation, and Carhartt have each committed to donating $50,000 for a total of $150,000.
“Many of our team members and customers either work in the skilled trades or have deep connections to them,” says Jamie Martin, vice president of divisional merchandise manager at Tractor Supply. “Support the Trades provides financial assistance to help young people pursue these in-demand but often overlooked opportunities – jobs that are so critical to sustaining Life Out Here.”
A Focus on Skilled Labor
Due to the high demand for labor and skilled workers nearing retirement, there’s been a renewed focus on the importance of skilled labor. Thanks to initiatives like Support the Trades creating awareness and helping fund trade education, SkillsUSA’s fiscal year 2023 membership levels are expected to hit the highest in the organization’s history.
“We are thankful to have partners like Tractor Supply and Carhartt that so firmly believe in SkillsUSA as America’s proud champion of the skilled trades,” says Chelle Travis, executive director at SkillsUSA. “Our mission is to empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members. There is a brighter light shining on the skilled trades today. With the ongoing support of our partners, we can help students develop the personal, workplace, and technical skills to succeed at work and in life.”
SkillsUSA partners with students, teachers, industry professionals, and organizations to build America’s skilled workforce. Included in those partnerships is PRINTING United Alliance’s sponsorship of SkillsUSA’s printing competitions. For example, during the 2022 Screen Printing Technology contest, Alliance staff served as liaisons and judges as students tested their screen-printing abilities.
SkillsUSA’s framework equips students with workplace and technical skills based on academics and industry connections, and its curriculum spans 130 job categories. With the donations from the Support the Trades campaign, totaling $300,000 to date, SkillsUSA can expand its reach and offer its training capabilities to more students.
“We are inspired by SkillsUSA’s mission to develop and strengthen the workforce and are proud to continue to work alongside Tractor Supply to support and attract students to the rewarding careers in the skilled trades,” adds Janet Ries, vice president of marketing at Carhartt. “Carhartt has a longstanding history and commitment to hardworking people in the skilled trades and we are proud to extend our partnership to help the next generation close the skills gap, pursue their passions and build their own legacies – each and every day.”
