‘Why isn’t this more well known?’:  Woman tries to DIY home improvements. Then she does ‘girl math’ by doing free trainings with Home Depot

A woman posted a video about participating in Home Depot’s free trade programs. Then commenters let her know that a few classes saved them thousands in home improvements and DIY projects.

Student and homeowner Kay Simone (@theeprettykay) said that she was doing “Girl Math” by taking a few of Home Depot’s Path To Pro classes, a free professional program that helps introduce trades skills to anyone seeking them. Simone wrote that she needed the money to spend on other things in a video with more than 1.5 million views.

Then hundreds of other women shared similar experiences, including that the professional program saved them hundreds, if not thousands, in home improvements and repairs.

What is the Home Depot path to pro?

The Home Depot Path to Pro program is a free, publicly available training resource for individuals seeking careers in the trades. The program offers free on-demand training as well as entry-level certificates.

Part of the perks of the program are the resource library, which anyone can access, as well as the program’s tradesperson network. Home Depot estimates that there are more than 170,000 active tradespeople seeking contract work. The company has publicly pledged $50 million to closing the gap between skilled tradespeople and available jobs.

Home Depot built the program alongside organizations such as the Home Builders Institute (HBI), Construction Ready and the SkillPointe Foundation. In addition, the program has available specialty and general in-person programs, as well as scholarship programs for those already seeking trade school.

How helpful is the program for homeowners?

Homeowners who commented on Simone’s post said the program was invaluable.

“I’ve done all of them just to have and it’s saved me thousands. I’m talking about plumbing, electrical, paint, all of it. I just fixed my hvac on my house for $30 instead of 500 for changing a capacitor. Everything these courses teaches you helps in the long run,” one viewer said.

Another person said, “As a homeowner I’m doing this.”

The program, while designed with professional and entry-level certifications, can be helpful for quick fixes. A few viewers said they were going to use the Home Depot program for repairs. For instance, one viewer said they would look on the website for a guide to fix their garbage disposal. Another said they would use the program to look for fixes in their 110-year-old house they were selling.

Additionally, Home Depot doesn’t restrict the program to its employees, which means anyone, including renters, homeowners, contractors, and those interested in the trades, can participate.

How helpful is the program for people trying to get into trades?

While the program has certified “more than 60,000 participants,” and introduced hundreds of thousands of people to the trades, it still has limitations.

One post on r/electricians identified one of the biggest: the Home Depot Path To Pro program is not comparable to an apprenticeship or getting into a union.

“A Home Depot training is not going to get you anywhere with a serious contractor,” one commenter wrote. “Getting into an apprenticeship is not only free to you, you also get paid to work while you learn the trade. Finding unconventional routes isn’t a great idea.”

Other Redditors, however, pointed out that at the very least, the experience could be a good stepping stone before getting into an apprenticeship or union.

“The program is especially helpful for people who are interested in moving into the trades but are unsure where to start. It teaches basic terminology, safety, tools, and jobsite knowledge that can make someone feel more prepared for entry-level work or apprenticeships,” another commenter wrote.

Despite being a helpful resource for DIY projects as well as introductory skills, Home Depot’s Path To Pro may not be able to immediately give its users access to lucrative trades careers right out of the gate.

Regardless, Simone’s commenters seemed happy about the tip and eager to hyper-fixate on ways to do “girl-math” for less expensive home improvement projects.

@theeprettykay

I need my money to spend on other things ??‍♀️?

♬ Is It Worth It – I Green Screen Things

The Mary Sue reached out to Simone via TikTok direct message and comment, as well as Home Depot via email for more information.

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