Carhartt Teams With Tractor Supply on 4-Item Capsule
For the third consecutive year, Tractor Supply and Carhartt have joined forces to support people working in the skilled trades.
The “Support the Trades” 2023 effort is an exclusive four-piece collection designed by Carhartt encompassing short- and long-sleeve shirts, a cap and a beanie. It’s available in Tractor Supply stores and online in a variety of colors and priced at $25-$35.
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“Many of our team members and customers either work in the skilled trades or have deep connections to them,” Jamie Martin, vice president, divisional merchandise manager at Tractor Supply, said. “’Support the Trades’ provides’ financial assistance to help young people pursue these in-demand but often overlooked opportunities—jobs that are so critical to sustaining ‘life out here.’”
A portion of sales from the capsule will be donated to SkillsUSA, a nonprofit serving students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service professions like welding and plumbing. On top of that, Tractor Supply Company, the Tractor Supply Foundation and Carhartt each made a $50,000 donation, totaling $150,000. SkillsUSA’s current curriculum covers 130 categories, and with these donations from “Support the Trades”—which total $300,000 to date—the organization will be able to grow its reach beyond its 14 million annual members since its founding in 1965.
“We are thankful to have partners like Tractor Supply and Carhartt that so firmly believe in SkillsUSA as America’s proud champion of the skilled trades. Our mission is to empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members,” Chelle Travis, executive director at SkillsUSA, said. “There is a brighter light shining on the skilled trades today. With the ongoing support of our partners, we can help students develop the personal, workplace and technical skills to succeed at work and in life.”
Renewed focus on the importance of skilled trades—and the need to “close the skills gap” within them—began around the start of the pandemic, according to the nonprofit National Student Clearinghouse. It reported that enrollment in construction trade programs grew 19.3 percent from 2021 to 2022, exceeding pre-pandemic registration rates. But the construction industry needs additional 500,000-plus workers on top of the average hiring pace this year alone, according to Associated Builders and Contractors, to meet the demand for labor.
“We are inspired by SkillUSA’s mission to develop and strengthen the workforce and are proud to continue to work alongside Tractor Supply to support and attract students to the rewarding careers in the skilled trades,” said Janet Ries, vice president of marketing at Carhartt. “Carhartt has a longstanding history and commitment to hardworking people in the skilled trades and we are proud to extend our partnership to help the next generation close the skills gap, pursue their passions and build their own legacies—each and every day.”
The heritage workwear brand has partnered with the retailer numerous times over the years, notably in 2021 when a bankruptcy and liquidation affected Carhartt’s wholesale opportunities. The two expanded the shop-in-shop experience with 125 more Tractor Supply stores selling Carhartt merchandise.
