Blog

You often hear homeowners complain about a trade worker who charged them a lot of money for a taskthat might have taken only a few minutes. What they need to realize is that they aren’t paying for the act of turning a wrench or screwdriver. They are paying someone with specialized knowledge of which...

The housing market is one of the most important sectors of the American economy, both in terms of newly built houses and renovation or repair of existing homes. Most estimates place housing at between 15-18% of overall GDP – i.e., Gross Domestic Product, or the total value of all goods and services...

To combat public perception and help advance the skilled trades, Bradford White Corporation, an industry-leading manufacturer of water heaters, boilers, and storage tanks, developed their signature charitable giving program, Industry Forward®. The program provides grants to eligible organizations and...

October 2023 “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” InitiativeApplications Now Open! Since 2021, over 1,100 students at 14 schools throughout the United States have started their trades education through the Skills Lab initiative. Explore The Trades and Ferguson are thrilled to...

One of the reasons it’s such a good time to enter a skilled trade is because the existing work force is rapidly aging. The average trade worker Is over 50 years old and approaching retirement. Employers are desperate to recruit enough replacements.   That’s the good news for young people entering...

Most employers, whether in the trades or any other field, will likely ask job applicants for references. These would be people who are familiar with your work at past jobs and/or who will testify about your character. Nobody wants to hire someone who’s lazy, a bumbler or troublemaker. A reference gives...

September 2023 Explore The Trades Happy Hour Event! Learn about Explore The Trades’ impact over the last 12 months, including the growth of our Skills Lab partnership with Ferguson. Enjoy cocktails and appetizers and mingle with peers from around the country. Join Explore The Trades to celebrate the...

August 2023 Explore The Trades Happy Hour Event! Join Explore The Trades for a happy hour fundraiser in Phoenix on October 5th! Learn about our impact over the past 12 months and have time to relax and spend time with peers from around the country. Guests will also have the opportunity to create their...

Thank you to everyone who attended the Explore The Trades fundraiser in Phoenix! This event was a huge success with the support of both individuals and corporate sponsors, with over $50,000 raised to support the mission of Explore The Trades, which is to bridge the technical talent gap to the service...