Thank you to all the schools that applied for the
“Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” equipment grants!
Please check our website on National Skilled Trades Day (May 6th) to see the list of this year’s recipients.
HASTINGS HIGH SCHOOL SKILLS LAB VISIT
In February, our team visited Hastings High School, a previous recipient of the “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” equipment grant.
During our visit, we had the chance to connect with students and educators and to see firsthand how their plumbing Skills Lab is preparing learners for rewarding careers in the trades. The school’s commitment to hands-on training and career readiness continues to demonstrate the powerful impact of strong CTE programs—inspiring future skilled professionals and strengthening their community.
As we look ahead, we’ll be announcing the next Skills Lab grant recipients on May 6th—National Skilled Trades Day. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about the Skills Lab program and to see this year’s recipients once they are announced.
Your support helps make these opportunities possible. Thank you for helping us build the next generation of skilled trade professionals.
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
Donor Spotlight: Connor Williams, President of Ashton Mechanical Group
Connor Williams, President of Ashton Mechanical Group, leads one of Western Canada’s top home services companies with a deep respect for hands‑on work and the essential role tradespeople play in every community. His leadership is rooted in values of integrity, innovation, and opportunity—principles that guide Ashton’s ongoing commitment to training, professional development, and industry advancement.
Connor supports Explore The Trades because he believes early exposure to plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical careers helps students gain confidence and discover meaningful paths they may never have considered. By championing awareness and education, he is helping shape the future of the skilled trades workforce.
Learn more about Connor’s story with the link below!
A special thank you to those who supported Explore The Trades from
January 1 – March 31, 2026.
321 Swipe
Aiello Home Services*
Anthony Cooper
Beltz Home Service Co.*
Campbell Family
Davis Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, Electric
Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.
General Air Conditioning & Plumbing
Hickey Plumbing, Air & Electrical
James Gerdsen
JAS Wireless*
JJM Alkaline Technologies
Lennox Industries
Maven Asset Management*
Nathan Hoff*
Nexstar Network
Pink Callers*
Rainaldi Home Services
Ricky Heath Plumbing, Heating & Cooling*
Source Energy Services
Stanley Ruth Co., LLC
State Energy Inc.*
Thornton & Grooms*
Zoeller Pump Company
*A special thank you to our monthly donors for their ongoing support!
Interested in renewing your gift or joining our community of monthly donors?
JOIN OUR MONTHLY DONOR COMMUNITY
Become a Trade Builder and Shape the Future of the Trades
Building a strong, skilled workforce takes steady, year‑round support—and that’s where you come in.
Trade Builders, our monthly giving program, fuels predictable, sustainable impact that helps young people discover fulfilling careers in the skilled trades.
Your monthly support makes a difference:
Individuals:
$20/month helps introduce 10,000+ students each year to plumbing, HVAC, and electrical careers through expanded classroom resources.
Companies & Businesses:
$150/month equips up to 180 classrooms nationwide, reaching 75,000+ students annually with career exploration materials.
As a Trade Builder, you’ll receive:
A digital badge for your website or social platforms
Special Explore The Trades swag
Early access to upcoming events
Help strengthen the talent pipeline and safeguard the legacy of the trades.
Learn more and join the community at the link below!
NCCER + EXPLORE THE TRADES
Explore The Trades and NCCER Launch Free Career Co-Kit
We’re excited to announce a new partnership with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).
Together, we’ve developed a free digital co‑kit that makes career awareness and readiness resources easily accessible for educators, counselors, and learners. The co‑kit brings together materials that support individuals from early exploration through training, job discovery, and next steps into craft professions.
This partnership is focused on meeting learners where they are, equipping educators with practical tools, and creating clearer pathways from curiosity to confident action in the skilled trades.
Download the free co‑kit with the link below.
LEAD TOMORROW'S WORKFORCE
New Contractor Toolkit: Build Stronger Connections with Local Schools
The future of the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical trades depends on strong partnerships between contractors and local education programs.
Our contractor toolkit was created to help you take the lead. Inside, you’ll find practical strategies for connecting with schools, engaging Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs, and positioning your company as a trusted industry voice in your community.
Explore the full contractor toolkit below.
LENNOX LIVE
Explore The Trades at Lennox LIVE
Explore The Trades was proud to attend Lennox LIVE in Anaheim, California, from March 31–April 2, 2026, alongside a nationwide network of Lennox dealers and industry partners.
The energy was inspiring, and it was clear that the dealers we connected with are deeply invested in their communities and the future of the skilled trades.
Throughout the event, our team had meaningful conversations about workforce development, career pathways, and early exposure to the trades.
We’re grateful for the chance to connect with so many community‑minded leaders and to continue building momentum together!
Donors of Explore The Trades support the next generation of tradespeople and the legacy of the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical trades.
To our supporters, we thank you.
To learn more about supporting Explore The Trades and its donors, click the link below.