The Lowe’s Foundation set a new SkillsUSA National Signing Day record as over 3,500 students nationwide said “yes” to skilled trades careers and apprenticeships. This included five ceremonies at Lowe’s stores to cheer on these students alongside their families, future employers, SkillsUSA advisers and NFL quarterback Sam Darnold. 

More Gen Z students are choosing purpose-driven, skills-based paths over traditional four-year degrees—reflected in the surging enrollment at community and technical colleges nationwide. It’s often powered by the encouragement of parents who recognize the value, stability and opportunity these careers provide — no longer a “plan B" but an intentional path forward, says the Lowe's Foundation. Especially among SkillsUSA student signers, the support of their parents has been instrumental. 

Jacob Jackson, a high school senior who walked the blue carpet in Seattle, plans to attend Universal Technical Institute to pursue a career in HVAC technology and start his own business. 

“Working with my dad and growing up in the trades has given me the opportunity to meet tons of people in the industry,” Jackson said. “Almost all of them said it’s the way to go." 

His father, Daniel, said, “I work in the skilled trades and couldn’t be happier with (Jacob's) choice. Without the trades, we wouldn’t have the infrastructure that folks rely on every day. Jacob’s interest in HVAC combines knowledge of electrical, plumbing, engineering; it’s a well-rounded trade.” 

Julia Warren, a student from Washington, is pursuing an HVAC apprenticeship through the Western Washington Sheet Metal JATC (Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee).  Initially on a college-bound engineering track, she found her passion after being placed in a woodshop class and fell in love with the craft. 

“I find the material, benefits and wage to be the most appealing as a promising career path,” Warren explained.  Her mom, Kathy, has seen her daughter’s confidence soar. 

“My daughter is an excellent student; not much has changed there. But I have noticed she has taken more of a liking to physics and math, and is willing to do trial and error on projects,” Kathy said. “My daughter was thinking about going to college to become an engineer. But after she did the pre-apprenticeship for the sheet metal union, she felt this was a better fit.”  

At the Seattle Lowe’s in Puyallup, Washington, students were joined by a surprise guest — NFL quarterback Sam Darnold, who took a moment to speak to the crowd. 

His message was simple but powerful: 

"These jobs are the backbone of our communities, and the people who do them deserve a whole lot more recognition. These students are stepping into a future that’s not only bright but absolutely vital to our communities." Darnold's father, a medical gas plumber for nearly 30 years, spoke about how he found a sense of pride in his career as a tradesperson, and how he was able to pass on his mindset to Darnold's athletic career. 

“This is a seminal moment in these students’ lives, and we’re proud to celebrate their achievements on the largest SkillsUSA National Signing Day ever with 3,500 students participating nationwide,” said Betsy Conway, director of the Lowe’s Foundation. “These students – and their parents – are helping reshape the narrative about the skilled trades, which offer fulfilling and well-paying careers, not just jobs.”   

To learn more, visit Lowes.com/Foundation.