Tool School

Learn to Use Tools with Houston ToolBank

Tool School equips its participants with the appropriate skills, knowledge, and confidence to safely and properly wield common hand and power tools through small group training sessions in a hands-on learning environment with ToolBank trainers.

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Houston ToolBank trainers are here to instruct, assist, and answer questions about tool usage. We provide:

protective safety gear
small group training sessions
a hands-on learning environment
flexible lesson formats adjusted to group capabilities

A Houston ToolBank staff member showing volunteers how to use the table saw

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Who We Teach

Anyone can become a Tool School trainee! The groups we teach vary widely in age, experience, and ability levels.

Schools and Education Programs

Teach the value of common tool skills to a class or other school group.

Workforce Development Programs

Learn and develop useful skills to leverage in different professions.

Individuals with Disabilities

No matter your abilities, anyone can participate.

Who We’ve Trained

Since Tool School began, we have trained more than 150 different people across a wide range of demographics.

Identify as Disabled

36%

Identify as Military Veterans

15%

Identify as Women

55%

“There was a hole in our fence, so I went and got a hammer and nail and fixed it myself. My mom was very proud of me!”

Home Place of Texas Trainee

“I believe I now have the confidence to use several of the power tools introduced to experiment with.”

Career & Recovery Resources Trainee

“I had a lot of fun and was able to learn a little more as well as add onto the existing knowledge I already had prior.”

Eight Million Stories Trainee

“The Two Day Class was great and the entire staff was just phenomenal. Thank you so much..”

Tool School for the Home Trainee

“Honestly a longer class would be the only change I would make. We had such a good time it made the day go by fast.”

Eight Million Stories Trainee

“The Tool School experience has proven to be a transformative experience for our IDD adults. Participants not only acquired new skills but also learned to utilize various tools effectively. The hands-on approach to learning at the Houston ToolBank has been particularly effective in engaging our participants and ensuring that the lessons are not only educational but enjoyable as well. The clients have been empowered with valuable skills that extend beyond the workshop, contributing to their overall personal and professional development.”

Home Place of Texas Partner

“The Houston ToolBank has played an integral role in shaping the future of Houston’s most marginalized youth through career exploration and most specifically their ‘Tool School Program’ Providing our students the necessary soft and hard skills that provide opportunities for entry and advancement in career pathways is tremendously valuable. These opportunities have been further advanced by the Houston ToolBank’s partnership with Eight Million Stories, Inc.”

Eight Million Stories Partner

“We know that we all learn differently, but when you use hands-on teaching methods the impact is long lasting. The staff were exceptionally skilled, kind and nurturing with our students. They adapted to meet all of the different needs. As a result, our students came away from the Tool School program with much more confidence and competence using various tools.”

The HUB Houston Partner

The Tool School Pledge

I promise…

…that I will only use the tools and equipment for their intended purposes

…that I will treat my body and the body of others present with respect

…that I will, at all times, keep safety as a top priority

…that if I see something unsafe, I will say something immediately

…that I will not be afraid to ask questions or seek help if I need it

Houston ToolBank volunteers posing outside the warehouse while holding wood projects they made

A blue icon that says, "Tool School" and features a tools and gears over blueprints

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Session Format Options

Tool School sessions are catered to the needs of the group and the goals of the partner organization.

1

Skills-based Workshop

Single session, 2 hours

An overview of basic hand and power tools with hands-on use and practice. Great for individuals interested in volunteering with other nonprofits out in the community!
2

Project-based Workshop

Single session, 2-3 hours

This is a brief overview of the required tools used subsequently for a build project. Individual take-home and collaborative group-build donation project options are available. These are great for professionals with busy schedules or friends looking for a fun group activity!
3

Skills + Project Condensed Workshop

Single session, 4-6 hours

An overview of common hand and power tools with hands-on use, followed by a build project. Individual take-home and collaborative group-build donation project options are available. Great for scout troops looking to earn badges!
4

Skills + Project Full Workshop

Multiple sessions, 3-4 hours each

A deep dive of hand and power tools with hands-on use. Over the course of multiple sessions, trainees participate in activities that inspire confidence and encourage skill development, and each subsequent session builds on the content from the former. Trainees prep and assemble both individual take-home projects and a group project. The group project is the final task, where trainees collaborate to build a larger item that is then donated to community partners, such as a school or community garden. Great for schools and workforce development programs!

Partner With Us

We want to work with anyone who has the drive and the desire to learn and is committed to maximizing what Tool School offers to everyone who participates, no matter what.

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