Carhartt Puts in the Work to Support Skilled Trades
AUGUST 26, 2025
Carhartt reaffirms its commitment as one of All Within My Hands’ most dedicated supporters by donating $250,000 to our Metallica Scholars Initiative through the For the Love of Labor grant program for the third time! This grant is part of Carhartt’s $300,000 partnership with the Buffalo Bills, supporting the workers building the new Highmark Stadium.
The latest round of funding from the workwear brand brings our program to SUNY Erie Community College to support workforce education in Erie County, New York. As a local workforce development leader, SUNY Erie provides quality, affordable education to the local community. Our funding will support the school’s trade education programs in manufacturing and construction.
“We are deeply grateful to Carhartt and the All Within My Hands foundation for this generous gift, which will have an enduring impact on our students. By easing financial barriers, this donation empowers our students to focus on their education and pursue their goals with confidence. Carhartt and All Within My Hand’s commitment to student success in our Western New York community reflects a shared belief in the power of education and careers in construction and manufacturing that transform lives and communities, and we are proud to partner with them in this mission.”
Dr Adiam Tsegai, President
SUNY Erie Community College
As part of Carhartt’s Made Possible platform, their new short film, The Stadium, celebrates the grit, pride, and expertise of more than 1,200 skilled tradesmen and women working on-site each day to build the venue. Upon completion, construction crews are expected to contribute 3.4 million hours of labor. The film also features the role played by Pro Football Hall of Famer and Bills legendary running back Thurman Thomas. Thomas’ involvement is twofold: through his Thurman Thomas Family Foundation—which is receiving a $50,000 grant from Carhartt benefitting youth interested in pursuing skilled trades—and his commercial construction company, 34 Group Inc.
Skilled trades are the backbone of America’s infrastructure and economy, yet they face a growing shortage of workers. According to new research by The Harris Poll, 91% of U.S. adults agree that trade jobs are just as essential as white-collar professions. However, due to a lack of conversation in schools and societal misconceptions around financial rewards, the industry faces a labor shortage gap, putting national infrastructure, housing, and manufacturing at risk. By supporting local training programs and educational opportunities, Carhartt’s support is actively helping reinforce the trades by strengthening the talent pipeline.
“Carhartt has been a steadfast and impactful partner to All Within My Hands for many years. Given our shared passion for workforce education, we are honored to be able to combine forces to connect more people to the critical training it takes to excel in these high-demand careers. We’ve been fortunate to work on creative ways to shine a spotlight on these rewarding career opportunities in the trades, and the next Labor of Love campaign in upstate New York continues down this important path."
Peter Delgrosso, Executive Director
All Within My Hands
The AWMH x Carhartt partnership began in 2021 with the “Hard Rock is Hard Work” Labor Day campaign and has continued to grow ever since. From multiple “For the Love of Labor” Grants awarded to donating t-shirts and hats for AWMH merch to matching donations to local food banks on tour, Carhartt’s support has helped our Foundation thrive.
About Carhartt
Established in 1889, Carhartt is a global premium workwear brand with a rich heritage of developing rugged products for workers on and off the job. Headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, with more than 3,000 employees worldwide, Carhartt is family-owned and managed by the descendants of the company’s founder, Hamilton Carhartt. For more information, visit www.carhartt.com.
About SUNY Erie Community College
Established in 1946, SUNY Erie is a public community college with campuses in Western New York that serve residents in and near Erie County. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. SUNY Erie meets the needs of a diverse student body and contributes to regional economic vitality by providing high-quality, flexible, affordable and accessible educational programs committed to student success. For more information, visit www.ecc.edu.
