Trades Talk – April 2024
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 May 1st to see the list of new recipients.
NEW Recruiting Resources from Explore The Trades!
Explore The Trades is your partner in building the next generation of technical talent.
With jobs in the plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical trades being more in demand than ever, it’s time to take on the responsibility to train the next generation of professionals.
Check out our NEW Career Event and Ride & Decide How-To Guides!
These guides provide instructions for participating in or hosting a career event, or launching a Ride & Decide program at your company.
Learn more and download these resources today at the link below!
Explore The Trades Fishing Fundraiser
Join Explore The Trades for our inaugural fishing fundraiser.
The event will be held at Cajun Fishing Adventures in Buras, LA from April 25th through the 28th.
Registration is $3,000, including a $1,000 donation to Explore The Trades.
*Capacity is limited; registration deadline is March 25th, 2024. Learn more and register at the link below!
Explore The Trades at the National HVACR Education Conference
Explore The Trades attended the National HVACR Education Conference on March 25th and 26th.
The conference brought together over 1,100 HVAC educators and industry professionals from around the country.
Explore The Trades’ team members Toni Bower and Maddy Sorenson attended the booth and had great conversations with attendees about Explore The Trades’ work to get the skilled trades conversation back into classrooms.
Learn more at the link below!
Ryan Kiscaden
Sales Enablement Manager
Watts Water Technologies
Ryan Kiscaden is an HVACR and plumbing marketer currently employed by Watts Water Technologies as the Sales Enablement Manager. Ryan has been in the plumbing and HVAC industries for 16 years, including working for an HVACR and plumbing wholesaler, plumbing manufacturers, and running a non-profit focused on recycling thermostats and major plumbing equipment.
In addition to his numerous contributions to the plumbing industry, Ryan recently wrote a children’s book promoting the plumbing industry called The Water Came to a Stop. This is the first book in the NEXT UP TRADES series.
Just a few years ago, he felt compelled to consider ways to address the workforce development issues the industry faces. The myriad of skilled labor challenges, including perceptions associated with skilled trades technicians, inspired him to create the concept of the children’s book series. He believes our industry can better celebrate problem solving, acknowledge how technicians help others, and, in turn, develop a positive perception of the skilled trades at a younger age.
Gifts to Explore The Trades provide a foundational knowledge of the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical trades – and why they’re important to our country.
· $10 provides a poster kit to a classroom
· $50 provides a “More Than An Elective” classroom kit
Thank you for supporting the next generation of technical talent.
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