A total of $2 million in cash prizes was awarded on Sept. 29 across the United States to 25 outstanding high school skilled trades teachers and their programs.

The 25 winners of the 2026 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence will be announced at surprise celebrations in 18 states across the country. The winners teach a variety of skilled trades, including construction, carpentry, electrical, welding, automotive, agricultural mechanics, manufacturing, and industrial technology.

The total amount awarded this year increased from $1.5 million to $2 million to mark the 10^th anniversary of the prize. More than 550 teachers applied from 49 states.

The prize was created to recognize outstanding public high school skilled trades teachers, a group of educators who are frequently overlooked and underappreciated.

As of today, over $12 million has been awarded to 208 teachers and their programs through the prize. The mission of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools is to increase understanding, support and investment in skilled trades education in U.S. public high schools.

This year there are winners from 18 states, including:  California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Washington, and Vermont.

The Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence was started in 2017 by Eric Smidt, owner and founder of Harbor Freight Tools.

“When we started the prize a decade ago, our goal was to recognize and celebrate the best skilled trades teachers and programs across America,” Smidt said. “Today, we have a nationwide shortage of skilled trades workers and the need for high school classes to prepare students for that work has never been higher. That’s why we’re excited to increase the prize to bring attention to these inspiring teachers and invest even more in their important work.”

As artificial intelligence raises new questions about the future of work, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools earlier this year released findings from a new national poll it commissioned showing overwhelming support for expanding skilled trades classes in U.S. public high schools. The poll was conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago.

The application process included three rounds of judging, each by an independent panel of experts from education, industry, nonprofits, and philanthropy.

The 25 winners and their programs will receive a total of $2 million in cash prizes as follows:

Five Grand Prize Winners

Amount: $100,000 each

($70,000 for their school’s skilled trades program and $30,000 for the teacher)

20 Prize Winners

Amount: $75,000 each

($50,000 for their school’s skilled trades program and $25,000 for the teacher)

In some cases, due to school, district or state policy, the programs will receive the entire prize winnings.