A much-welcomed gift totaling $1.5 million in cash prizes was awarded Tuesday to 25 high school skilled trades instructors and their programs courtesy of the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, started by Harbor Freight owner and founder Eric Smidt.

According to an October 8 news release announcing the gifts, the winners teach a variety of skilled trades, including construction, carpentry, welding, automotive, agricultural mechanics, advanced manufacturing, and industrial technology.

Now in its eighth year, the prize was created to recognize excellence among high school skilled trades teachers. According to The Smidt Foundation, which administers the gifting program, more than $8.9 million has been gifted to more than 150 teachers and their programs since 2017. 

Harbor Freight Tools for Schools' mission is to increase understanding, support and investment in skilled trades education in U.S. public high schools. This year’s winners are spread across 19 states and encompass every region of the country. 

“We are thrilled to honor these 25 dedicated teachers making such an important difference in the lives of their students every day,” said Danny Corwin, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools executive director. 

“They have earned this prize because they are highly knowledgeable about the skilled trades, have a deep belief in the potential of their students, and have built programs that prepare students for [many] opportunities after high school,” Corwin added.

This year, more than 900 applications were made for the prize. The application process included three rounds of judging, each by an independent panel of experts from education, industry, nonprofits, and philanthropy. 

“Our future will be built by the students in today’s skilled trades classrooms,” Smidt said. “We appreciate the outstanding teachers preparing the next generation of skilled trades professionals across the United States.” 

For more information, visit HFTforschools.org.