Current Events > Lowe's is offering bonuses to employees that learn trades

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://www.axios.com/lowes-is-offering-2500-to-its-employ-1519844180-08e262c4-6227-4e82-af7c-7d33bf7d960c.html

Lowe's employees will receive up to $2,500 of the cost of a 6-to-10-month pre-apprenticeship to be an electrician, a carpenter, a plumber or an appliance repair person.
That would be followed by placement in a two-year apprenticeship.
Those who finish could return to a Lowe's store as an expert helping customers, or work in the master trade for one of the chain's contractors.
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Weber said employees will not be required to stay with Lowe's or its contractor network

This is interesting.
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That seems like they're paying their employees to find better employment elsewhere. Maybe not a great business model, but I'm certainly not against the theory. Maybe retail won't be a dead-end job anymore.
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BLAKUboy posted...

That seems like they're paying their employees to find better employment elsewhere. Maybe not a great business model, but I'm certainly not against the theory. Maybe retail won't be a dead-end job anymore.

It will draw in hard working people who want better jobs eventually.
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BLAKUboy posted...

That seems like they're paying their employees to find better employment elsewhere. Maybe not a great business model, but I'm certainly not against the theory. Maybe retail won't be a dead-end job anymore.

It is hard to quantify, but there are real gains to companies that seem willing to invest in the broader community.

I do data and policy analysis on the side, and as part of an ROI analysis of workforce development programs run by small to medium sized companies in different sectors here in Arkansas, I've picked up a bit of info about this.

most of them invest directly into trade schools rather than doing something like this with their workforce, but the effect is more or less the same -- they are training up the broader workforce, not just people who might be working for them, but that means more people are available to work for them, and it helps serve as a recruitment tool

it does take leadership that has a vision beyond their immediate bottom line, though
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bump
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This is excellent. Good on them.
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Great idea
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This is good news. It's great to see another example of Trump's pro business policies benefitting the employees.
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it does take leadership that has a vision beyond their immediate bottom line, though

This is what makes it a difficult practice. I was going to be cynical and say that there aren't a lot of mid-level managers that are going to encourage their employees to apply for training to leave, but I don't know that. It seems like a lot of "home improvement" types who get to those position are there at least in part for the love of the game and would encourage increased skills. Possibly.
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Good. Trade and vocational training needs destigmatized badly.

Is it true Lowe's is in danger of being run out of business by home depot?
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I can't see any downside to this. I hope it pays off for everyone involved.
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LookANinja posted...

Is it true Lowe's is in danger of being run out of business by home depot?

Menards is probably kicking both their asses anyway.

My mother works for Lowes as a head cashier. I'll have to show her this.
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Questionmarktarius posted...

Good. Trade and vocational training needs destigmatized badly.

This. Nothing wrong with taking up a trade instead of going to college. You might even make more money!
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Master_Bass posted...

Questionmarktarius posted...

Good. Trade and vocational training needs destigmatized badly.

This. Nothing wrong with taking up a trade instead of going to college. You might even make more money!

I still have no idea why I had to go to college for four years (okay, five) just to make websites.

Master_Bass posted...

Questionmarktarius posted...

Good. Trade and vocational training needs destigmatized badly.

This. Nothing wrong with taking up a trade instead of going to college. You might even make more money!

Might? Probably will. College is mostly useless now a days. Having real work experience and training is more useful.
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Sayoria posted...

My mother works for Lowes as a head cashier. I'll have to show her this.

they're only doing it in a few cities at first, though. I shoudl have said that

The details: Jennifer Weber, chief human resource officer at Lowe's, tells Axios that the pilot will run in four U.S. cities Charlotte, N.C., Denver, Pittsburgh and Richmond, VA.
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Anteaterking posted...

Weber said employees will not be required to stay with Lowe's or its contractor network

This is interesting.

That's actually amazing of them to do so supposing they aren't going to force you to do classes and work with zero regard for hours conflicting

Pretty good program

asagi_mode_gone posted...

Anteaterking posted...

Weber said employees will not be required to stay with Lowe's or its contractor network

This is interesting.

That's actually amazing of them to do so supposing they aren't going to force you to do classes and work with zero regard for hours conflicting

Well think about it: you just trained up an entire generation of blue collar workers. When they need to buy supplies for their jobs, are they gonna go to Home Depot? They're basically creating their own customer base.
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Balrog0 posted...

Pittsburgh

Hey i live there
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Two_Dee posted...

Balrog0 posted...

Pittsburgh

Hey i live there

do you like it
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That's excellent. It will encourage folks not to flounder in retail positions for ages.
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s0nicfan posted...

asagi_mode_gone posted...

Anteaterking posted...

Weber said employees will not be required to stay with Lowe's or its contractor network

This is interesting.

That's actually amazing of them to do so supposing they aren't going to force you to do classes and work with zero regard for hours conflicting

Well think about it: you just trained up an entire generation of blue collar workers. When they need to buy supplies for their jobs, are they gonna go to Home Depot? They're basically creating their own customer base.

didn't even consider that angle lol

good point, though!

also, what an excellent program. I really hope the pilots go well.
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s0nicfan posted...

asagi_mode_gone posted...

Anteaterking posted...

Weber said employees will not be required to stay with Lowe's or its contractor network

This is interesting.

That's actually amazing of them to do so supposing they aren't going to force you to do classes and work with zero regard for hours conflicting

Well think about it: you just trained up an entire generation of blue collar workers. When they need to buy supplies for their jobs, are they gonna go to Home Depot? They're basically creating their own customer base.

Did you mean to quote me? Obviously that's a great incentive though, especially for those who join affiliate businesses.

asagi_mode_gone posted...

s0nicfan posted...

asagi_mode_gone posted...

Anteaterking posted...

Weber said employees will not be required to stay with Lowe's or its contractor network

This is interesting.

That's actually amazing of them to do so supposing they aren't going to force you to do classes and work with zero regard for hours conflicting

Well think about it: you just trained up an entire generation of blue collar workers. When they need to buy supplies for their jobs, are they gonna go to Home Depot? They're basically creating their own customer base.

Did you mean to quote me? Obviously that's a great incentive though, especially for those who join affiliate businesses.

Sort of. I was just implying that although this is amazing of them to do, it's also a sensible business move.
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This is great. Attract hard working people who will better themselves and then come back for tools and supplies when they have a trade or become a contractor.
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Definitely.

For what it's worth I went to job corps and most of the students except the painters (house and furniture kind of painter) and cement masons, only half or so ended up working a job in their trade. And most a mm aren't in the field anymore if they did a soft trade like MAA or the lower tier nursing trade.

I'm a part timer college student who started this semester and this might be my plan B if I totally fail it.

Adults should never be working retail. Now people no longer have an excuse to still be working retail for years.

bump
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That's awesome. I would love to get into a trade but I can't afford it :/
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