Stanley Black & Decker Backs Two WorldSkills Competitors, Commits $60M to Trades Education
SWK•Stanley Black & Decker’s DEWALT brand will invest $60 million in its Grow the Trades initiative by 2030 and serve as premium partner and tool sponsor for SkillsUSA and WorldSkills International. It is backing two American competitors—19-year-old plumber Charles Goede and 22-year-old carpenter Tristan Coates—for the 2026 WorldSkills Competition.
1. Partnership Overview
DEWALT has been named premium partner and tool sponsor for SkillsUSA and WorldSkills International, reinforcing its position as a leader in jobsite solutions. The agreement ensures DEWALT tools and resources support U.S. competitors in plumbing and carpentry at the 2026 WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai.
2. Competitor Profiles
Charles Goede, a 19-year-old plumbing apprentice from Connecticut and SkillsUSA Connecticut state champion, and Tristan Coates, a 22-year-old Florida-based residential builder and 2022 SkillsUSA Carpentry Gold Medalist, will represent the United States. Both receive specialized training and DEWALT tooling to prepare for the world’s premier skilled trades competition.
3. Grow the Trades Initiative
DEWALT’s Grow the Trades initiative allocates $60 million through 2030 to bolster trades education and workforce development. The program aims to enhance training opportunities, elevate the trades profession and foster the next generation of skilled professionals, aligning with DEWALT’s long-term growth and community engagement strategy.
