Trades Talk – March 2026

Apply for the Skills Lab Equipment Grant Program! Photo courtesy of Newark School of Architecture & Interior Design, a 2024-2025 Skills Lab recipient. Join Explore The Trades for a Skills Lab Webinar on Wednesday, March 11th from 2–2:30 PM CST. This session will give attendees an overview of the “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built […]

Trades Talk – February 2026

Cast a Line for a Cause: Join Our 2026 Fishing Fundraiser! Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the Explore The Trades Fishing Fundraiser, taking place April 16–19, 2026, at Cajun Fishing Adventures in Buras, Louisiana. This all‑inclusive event offers two full days of guided fishing while helping advance our mission to bridge the technical […]

Trades Talk – January 2026

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Celebrating Our 2025 Impact Explore The Trades is proud to share the highlights from our 2025 Impact Report. This year, we launched the fifth year of the “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built By Ferguson” equipment grant program and expanded our reach in school districts nationwide—surpassing one million students impacted across the country! Your partnership […]

Trades Talk – December 2025

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Help Us Finish Strong! Explore The Trades is on a mission to connect kids, teens, and young adults with exciting careers in plumbing, HVAC, and electrical. Our free classroom poster kits (available in English, Spanish, and for kiddos ages five-11) make it easy to spark curiosity about the skilled trades. Did you know…our poster kits […]

Trades Talk – November 2025

Trades Talk November newsletter.

Help Us Reach More Students! Explore The Trades is working to connect kids, teens, and young adults with careers in plumbing, HVAC, and electrical. Our free classroom poster kits make it easy to spark interest and start conversations. We’re aiming to reach 3,330 school districts by the end of 2025 and we’re almost there! Thanks […]

Trades Talk – October 2025

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Now Open: Skills Lab Equipment Grant Applications! Explore The Trades is thrilled to announce that applications are now open for the “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” equipment grant program! This initiative – proudly built in partnership with Ferguson – empowers schools to create hands-on learning environments that introduce students to the skilled […]

Trades Talk – September 2025

Trades Talk Explore the Trades Newsletter September 2025.

Help Us Reach 25% of U.S. Public School Districts by the End of 2025! Explore The Trades is on a mission to connect students with the skilled trades—and we’re aiming high. By the end of 2025, our goal is to reach 25% of all U.S. public school districts with our resources and messaging. That means we need […]

Trades Talk – August 2025

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Explore The Trades Attends National School Counselor Association Conference From July 11–14, Explore The Trades attended the 2025 American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Conference in Long Beach, CA. With nearly 5,000 school counselors and educators in attendance, the event was a hub of innovation and inspiration. Our team connected with over 140 educators and school […]

Trades Talk – June 2025

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Explore The Trades and Ferguson Expand Skilled Trades Education with Grants to 10 Schools This past National Skilled Trades Day, Explore The Trades and Ferguson announced the latest recipients of the Skills Lab equipment grants—awarding 10 schools with the tools they need to launch or grow a skilled trades program. Since its start in 2021, […]

Trades Talk – April 2025

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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 Skills Trades Day (May 7th) to see the list of this year’s recipients. Last Chance to Register for the Explore The Trades Fishing Fundraiser – Special Registration Announcement – Pack […]