Want to Learn Construction for Free? Home Depot’s New Program Is a Game Changer

Ever wished you could improve your DIY and home improvement skills without going back to school? You can, thanks to the Path to Pro Skills Program from The Home Depot. The store offers self-paced construction courses open to anyone at no cost and available entirely online. With these free classes, you can learn how-to skills or enhance your existing construction knowledge, so you can take on projects like building your own backyard fire pit, staining your deck, building a desk, or coating your garage floor like a pro. Whether you’re someone who wants a new career, an avid DIYer, or a construction professional looking to learn more, there's a course for you. 

You can learn everything from basic how-to skills to more advanced trade-related skills, across electrical, HVAC, plumbing, painting, welding, refrigeration, and more. Here's what you need to know to get started.

How Can I Sign Up to Learn for Free?

First things first, you need to register and create an account at the Path to Pro Skills Program portal. Here, you need to provide your basic personal information to complete your profile. Once you are in the system, you can start your journey with entry-level classes that give an overview of the different trades in the construction industry, outlining what you need, how to get started, and the tools for each trade. Each class is about six to 10 minutes long, and you can participate at any time. 

Once you get an overview of each of the different trades, you can dig into a specific trade or skill you want to learn more about.

Related: Are Rammed Earth Homes a Good Idea? What to Know Before You Build

What Types of Trade Courses Are Available?

The program offers many courses, ranging from the basics of general construction to more specialized classes for each trade. 

There are eight trade courses available that you can choose from: 

• Drywall
• Electrical 
• General construction 
• HVAC 
• Paint 
• Plumbing 
• Welding 
• Refrigeration

Each trade course is about two to three hours long, broken down into 10- to 15-minute classes. You will learn the basics and transferable skills for specific tasks, such as how to replace a toilet or a faucet, if you take one of The Home Depot plumbing classes. After you complete all the classes offered for one of the trade courses, you will also get a certification of completion. 

There are additional training sessions if you’re interested in building a career in the industry or want to continue growing your construction knowledge. These resources include planning for a job in the industry, learning how to read a blueprint, construction math, and even courses on how to start, manage, and build a construction business. 

Related: How to Fix Cracks in Driveways and Steps: Concrete Patching Repair Guide

What Skills Can I Learn from These Courses?

Each trade course offers an overview of the trade, including basic information and key things to know. Then, there are specific how-to projects that you can learn from. Here are some highlights of what you can expect to learn for each of the trade areas. 

Drywall

• Installation 
• Repairs 
• Compound application, setting, and finish 

Electrical 

• Wiring and cabling 
• Circuit protection
• Installing ceiling fans, light fixtures, outlets, and three-way switches 

Plumbing

• Pipes and valves
• Replacing a toilet, a faucet
• Water heater basics  

HVAC 

• Control and filtration 
• Replacing a thermostat 
• HVAC basics

Can I Take These Classes in Person?

No, at this time, these courses are available online only and not in-store. However, The Home Depot offers how-to livestream workshops you can attend online, as well as on-demand how-to seminars. The only in-person workshops the retailer offers are their kids’ workshops, held on the first Saturday of every month at your local Home Depot stores.