Ten finalists have been announced for the inaugural Harbor Freight Tools for Schools (HFTFS) Prize for Teaching Excellence, which supports the advancement of skilled trades education in U.S. public high schools. $100,000 will be awarded to three first-place winners, while seven second-place winners will each receive $30,000.
The 10 finalists were selected out of 700 applicants from 48 states, and represent construction, automotive, architectural, woodworking, manufacturing, and marine systems technology programs. A portion of the prize money will be directed to the skilled trades program each finalist represents, while the teachers or team of teachers can use the remainder as they see fit.
“We created this prize out of huge respect for the intelligence and creativity of people who work with their hands to create, build and repair,” says Eric Smidt, founder of the HFTFS prize and CEO of Harbor Freight Tools. “We’re proud to honor the important leadership of these skilled trades teachers, who are working so hard to equip their students with the know-how and skill to land good jobs, pursue bright futures, and become part of a workforce our country needs.”
As the need for skilled trades professionals across the country increases, the HFTFS prize rewards outstanding skilled trades instruction and teaching methodologies. The application included a learning component, in which the teachers shared their ideas and practices in a series of modules.
Finalists were selected by a panel of tradesmen, craftsmen, business professionals, K-12 and college educators, non-profit and philanthropic professionals. Winners will be announced Oct. 26. The list of finalists, their respective programs, and teaching modules can be found on the HFTFS website.
