Bring Back the Trades (BBTT), a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to bridging the skilled trades gap, is proud to announce the electrical training ALLIANCE (etA) has teamed up with Milwaukee Tool to double down on the Bring Back the Trades Tool Grant Program. The program was initially launched in April to provide professional-grade trades kits provided by Milwaukee Tool through 2026. Public schools and community non-profits across the United States are eligible to win the kits.

Starting in June 2026, the program will accept applications in order to award two monthly grants consisting of at least $1,500 worth of tools to support trade programs. 

“If we want the next generation to respect the trades, we have to give them tools worth respecting,” said Steve Turner, founder of Bring Back the Trades. “Vocational programs are often forced to teach with broken, outdated, or inadequate equipment. By putting professional tools in the hands of students, they know that their education and their future careers are worth the highest standard of excellence.”

Investing in the Future Workforce 

The program addresses the $325.6 billion skilled trades gap by helping to remove the financial barriers that prevent schools from modernizing their workshops. Grant applicants will select specialized tool kits tailored to their specific curriculum, including Plumbing, Electrical, Automotive, and Carpentry tracks. Electrical applicants now have double the chance of winning with additional support from the etA.

“Ensuring that future electrical apprentices have access to the best training resources is at the core of our mission,” said Audra Kellams, director of workforce education and partnerships at the electrical training ALLIANCE. “By joining forces with Bring Back the Trades and Milwaukee Tool, we are able to directly empower classrooms across the country. This partnership allows us to amplify our impact, get top-tier tools into the hands of aspiring electrical workers early, and build a safer, more robust pipeline for the future of our industry.” 

How the Program Works

  • Monthly Awards: Two  winning organizations will be selected each month to receive tool kits. 
    • One organization will be chosen by BBTT to win one of the four tool kits compiled by Milwaukee Tool.
    • One Organization will be chosen by etA to win one of the electrical tool kits compiled by Milwaukee Tool.
  • Direct Impact: Tools are shipped directly to the winning public schools or non-profits to be integrated into classrooms and tech programs.
  • Industry Standards: Beyond receiving equipment, participating programs commit to fostering a culture of safety, maintenance, and craftsmanship.
  • Milwaukee Tool: The 2026 winners will receive Milwaukee Tool kits valued at least $1,500. Winners thereafter will receive tool kits valued at least $1,500. Milwaukee Tool and etA have committed to supporting this program at least through 2026. 

Eligibility and Applications 

The grants are open to public schools and registered non-profit organizations in the United States. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and winners will be chosen monthly based on their program’s impact, current equipment needs, and commitment to safety integration. Organizations can reapply every six months and win up to once every three years. 

Milwaukee Tool will provide professional-grade tools and equipment to participating classrooms, replacing outdated or consumer-grade tools with the same technology and capabilities reflective of what’s used on modern jobsites. 

By training with the same tools they will use in the field, students build confidence, develop real-world skills, and are better prepared to enter the trades on day one.

“When students train with the same tools used by professionals on real-world jobsites, it changes how they see their future in the industry,” said Scott Teson, senior vice president of skilled trades at Milwaukee Tool. “Our expanded partnership with Bring Back the Trades is about removing barriers to entry and helping the next generation build real skills from the start.” 

Built on deep relationships with the trades, Milwaukee Tool works directly with professionals to develop solutions that improve safety, productivity, and jobsite performance.

Milwaukee Tool is supporting the program through 2026, with a focus on expanding access to professional-grade equipment in vocational training environments.

Milwaukee Tool invests more than $10 million annually in hands-on education to support the next generation of skilled tradespeople. In 2025 alone, the company supported over 600 apprentice graduations and donated more than $4.5 million in equipment to trade schools nationwide.

This work is part of a broader commitment by Milwaukee Tool to invest $200 million in the trades by 2030, expanding access to training, strengthening workforce pipelines, and supporting the long-term growth of the industry.

Other terms may apply. The etA may choose to prioritize schools using their Interim Credentials Curriculum.