Carhartt Unveils Inaugural Steel Apple Awards Celebrating Skilled Trades Educators

DEARBORN, MI — To highlight the important role of young talent in skilled industries, Carhartt has unveiled its inaugural Steel Apple awards, a new initiative to honor educators shaping the next generation of skilled trade workers. The awards are an extension of Carhartt’s “For the Love of Labor” program—an ongoing initiative that supports nonprofit organizations as they educate, train and place workers into skilled trades careers.   

“The mentors who dedicate their careers to training the next generation of tradespeople aren’t just teachers—they’re builders of futures, role models of excellence and champions of craftsmanship for all hardworking people,” said Todd Corley, Senior Vice President of Inclusion, Sustainability and Community at Carhartt. “At Carhartt, we take pride in celebrating the exceptional educators who inspire and make a significant impact on their students’ growth and learning—both in the classroom and as they embark on their careers.” 

NCCER

Carhartt is dedicating its Spring 2025 For the Love of Labor grant to supporting the National Center of Construction Education & Research (NCCER), a nonprofit education foundation and leading provider of construction, training, assessment, credentials, research and career development programs. The workwear brand is awarding $100,000 to launch and expand accredited Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs across the country—introducing CTE curriculum to students for the first time.  

Carhartt also recognized five outstanding skilled educators across the United States who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their craft, their students, and the mission of closing the skilled trades gap. Each recipient will receive $10,000 to invest in their own classrooms, a tailored workwear package and national recognition for their contributions to the industry. Additionally, students in each classroom received new gear from Carhartt, including backpacks and work gloves. The following educators were honored as a part of the inaugural Steel Apple awards: 

• Matthew Bracey, Construction Trades Masonry Program Manager at Randolph Career and Technical Center (Detroit)   

• Aaron Haselwood, Construction Teacher at Wichita High School East (Wichita, Kan.) 

• Robert “Bobby” Pease, Agriculture and Welding Teacher at Fleming County High School (Flemingsburg, Ky.)  

• Bryan Suarez, Welding Teacher at Dr. Kirk Lewis Career and Technical High School (Houston, Texas)  
• Jennifer McNally, Carpentry Teacher at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School (South Easton, Mass.)  

Established in 1996 and a leader in skilled trades workforce development, NCCER provides quality education programs and credentials. Its High School Builder Program expands access to CTE programs by removing accreditation barriers and allowing high schoolers to graduate workforce ready.    

“Carhartt and NCCER share a common mission to create a more comprehensive and equitable pipeline to meaningful careers in the skilled trades. The Steel Apple Awards will not only honor the exceptional educators on the frontlines, but also the students that pass through their classrooms,” said Boyd Worsham, President and CEO at NCCER. “We’re honored to partner with Carhartt on this initiative, empowering these vocational educators to continue to shape the future of the skilled workforce.” 

For the Love of Labor

Since its inception in 2020, Carhartt’s For the Love of Labor grant program has received hundreds of applications and awarded 27 grants—totaling nearly $3 million—to eligible US-based 501C3 designated organizations in recognized apprenticeship industries that serve at least 100 individuals annually.   

To learn more about the Steel Apple awards, the For the Love of Labor grant program and how Carhartt is working to build a better world, please visit Carhartt.com/isc-hub or reach out to [email protected].