New TV Docuseries Spotlights Columbus Tech and Skilled Trades

The Lowe's Foundation-sponsored series follows 13 people training for careers in skilled trades like carpentry.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:48am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a carpenter's hammer repeated in a tight grid pattern, representing the skilled trades featured in the new TV docuseries.A new TV docuseries sponsored by the Lowe's Foundation puts the spotlight on the skilled trades, highlighting the stories of those training for careers in fields like carpentry.Columbus Today

A new three-part TV docuseries called "Building Back America's Trades" will premiere on April 11 on Magnolia Network and stream the next day on HBO Max and discovery+. The series, sponsored by the Lowe's Foundation, features 13 people training for careers in skilled trades like carpentry, including three students and one faculty member from Columbus Technical College in Georgia.

Why it matters

The docuseries aims to put a human face on the national skilled-trades labor shortage by highlighting the stories of those pursuing careers in fields like construction, plumbing, and HVAC. By featuring the programs at Columbus Technical College, the series showcases how community colleges are playing a vital role in training the next generation of skilled workers.

The details

The "Building Back America's Trades" docuseries follows 13 individuals training for careers in skilled trades through programs supported by the Lowe's Foundation. Three students and one faculty member from Columbus Technical College in Georgia are featured in the series, which explores their journeys as they prepare for careers in fields like carpentry.

  • The three-part series premieres on April 11, 2026 on Magnolia Network.
  • Additional episodes will stream on April 18 and April 25, 2026.

The players

Columbus Technical College

A community college in Columbus, Georgia that offers programs in skilled trades like carpentry, plumbing, and HVAC.

Lowe's Foundation

The charitable arm of home improvement retailer Lowe's, which is sponsoring the "Building Back America's Trades" docuseries.

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The takeaway

By featuring the programs at Columbus Technical College, the "Building Back America's Trades" docuseries showcases how community colleges are playing a vital role in training the next generation of skilled workers and addressing the nationwide shortage of skilled tradespeople.