KEY TAKEAWAYS: Nunez received a $1 million Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grant to expand technical education. Funding will enhance skilled trades training in Chalmette and launch the Nunez Plaquemines Site. The college is adding new degree programs in Construction Management and Construction Leade rship. The grant supports workforce training for growing construction, LNG, maritime and housing industries.   Elaine P. Nunez Community College has received a $1 million grant from the Lowe’s Foundation to expand technical education programs, increase training capacity and launch new workforce pathways designed to meet growing demand for skilled trades workers across southeast Louisiana. The award, provided through the Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grants program, makes Nunez one of 10 community and technical colleges selected nationwide during this funding cycle. The college said the investment will enhance existing programs while supporting new offerings for students across a five-parish service area. College officials said the funding will expand skilled trades training at Nunez’s Chalmette campus and support the launch of the Nunez Plaquemines Site this fall, which the college said will be the first higher education location in Plaquemines Parish. The grant also will fund improvements to training facilities, equipment purchases and new instructional programs in electrical work, construction and HVAC. The expanded curriculum is intended to prepare students for careers supporting southeast Louisiana’s housing, liquefied natural gas, maritime and other industrial sectors. “This investment from the Lowe’s Foundation is transformative because it allows Nunez to bring high-quality skilled-trades education closer to the people and communities we serve while building the workforce our region’s industries urgently need,” said Reggie J. Poché, interim vice chancellor for strategic partnerships and engagement. “As unprecedented industrial and infrastructure investment creates new opportunities across Southeast Louisiana, we have a responsibility to ensure our residents are prepared to benefit from that growth.” Nunez also plans to introduce two new degree programs when fall classes begin Aug. 18: an Associate of Applied Science in Construction Management and Technology and an Associate of Science in Construction Leadership. Adam Bourne, senior chair of career and technical education at Nunez, said the grant will accelerate the college’s ability to expand workforce training. “This $1 million grant is an absolute game changer for our Plaquemines Parish expansion and our HVAC, electrical, carpentry, and construction management programs,” Bourne said. “As the construction and maintenance industry continues to rapidly grow and evolve, the Lowe’s Foundation’s support allows us to fast-track adapting and innovating to provide students with the tools and training they need to excel in the industry.” Janice Dupré, Lowe’s executive vice president of human resources and chair of the Lowe’s Foundation, said community colleges play an increasingly important role in developing skilled trades professionals. “With enrollments rising at vocationally focused schools, these community colleges are blossoming arenas for entrepreneurship and economic mobility,” Dupré said. “Each college has a clear, inspired vision for closing the trades gap in its community, and we’re pleased to welcome them to our larger movement.” The Lowe’s Foundation launched the Gable Grants initiative in 2023 to address the national shortage of skilled trades workers. The foundation said its network now includes 35 community colleges and nonprofit organizations across 27 states and is part of a five-year, $50 million commitment to prepare 50,000 people for careers in the skilled trades. ...read more read less