For the past decade, Target has helped introduce students to opportunities in construction and the skilled trades through our workforce development program: Build Yourself with Bullseye. Through hands-on events, mentorship and collaboration with workforce development organizations, students learn about careers in areas such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, heating and cooling and more.
This year, Target marked a significant milestone: more than 10,000 students reached since 2016. It’s an important moment for the students exploring career paths they may not have otherwise considered and for an industry facing growing demand for skilled workers.
Students reached through Target’s workforce development efforts
Investing in opportunity through the skilled trades
As Target continues remodeling stores and expanding its footprint, with plans to open more than 300 new stores by 2035, access to skilled-trades talent is essential to our continued growth. Target relies on these skilled professionals to build new stores, complete remodels and maintain the spaces where our guests shop and team members work.
Target Construction began investing in workforce development efforts in 2016. Since then, that work has grown into Build Yourself with Bullseye, a volunteer-led initiative that brings together Target team members and community partners to introduce students to the range of skills and careers involved in bringing a building to life.
By combining Target’s resources, industry expertise and relationships with the knowledge of experienced community organizations, the program helps open doors to future career pathways and economic opportunity while contributing to a broader industry workforce need.
Our team members see an opportunity to share their expertise with young people and help strengthen the skilled-trades workforce that Target, our partners and communities will rely on for years to come.
Team members sharing their expertise
More than 20 Target team members support Build Yourself with Bullseye, volunteering their time and professional expertise at events and through mentorship. Their involvement gives students a firsthand look at career possibilities in the skilled trades and connects them with people who can share their industry knowledge.
For Brenda L., senior program manager, that commitment included mentoring five recent high school graduates participating in a five-week summer trades program in her community. Students gained hands-on experience, received tools and equipment and developed practical skills ranging from interviewing for jobs to managing finances.
Through Build Yourself with Bullseye, I have been able to be part of moments where I can interact with my community, create mentorship moments and help grow awareness of different trade programs.
Bringing community investment and growth full circle
Build Yourself with Bullseye works alongside organizations with deep experience connecting students to skilled-trades education and career opportunities. Target contributes our team members, industry expertise, resources and relationships to help bring those experiences to life.
These partnerships reflect a broader belief at Target: When communities thrive, Target thrives. Strengthening communities isn’t separate from how we grow. It’s part of it. By expanding economic opportunity and raising awareness of promising career paths, programs like this help strengthen communities and contribute to the workforce needed to support our continued growth.
As Target grows, we can serve and invest in more communities, create more economic opportunity and deliver an elevated guest experience, bringing that investment full circle.
