On the Road: Visiting Skills Lab Schools in New Jersey
Our team recently had the pleasure of visiting three incredible Skills Lab schools across New Jersey: West Orange High School in West Orange, Toms River South High School in Toms River, and Cape May County Technical School District in Cape May Court House – all of which have received equipment grants through our Skills Lab program. Each stop on the trip reinforced the powerful impact skilled trades education is having in K-12 settings.
West Orange High School (West Orange, NJ)
Toms River High School South (Toms River, NJ)
During our visits, we connected with students, educators, and administrators who are championing hands-on learning and career exploration in the trades. It was inspiring to see the enthusiasm and commitment to preparing students for in-demand careers.
A special thank you to Kimberly Keener and Dean Nastasi for joining us and representing Ferguson as the founding partner of the Skills Lab program. We’re grateful to Ferguson for their continued support in expanding opportunities for students nationwide.
Learn more about the Skills Lab program with the link below!
Thank you, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools!
We’re excited to share that Explore The Trades has received a grant from Harbor Freight Tools for Schools to support the development and expansion of our Contractor Toolkit resource.
Designed to help contractors and trades professionals connect with local schools, the Contractor Toolkit provides practical guidance for starting conversations and building meaningful, career-connected partnerships.
By making it easier for industry professionals to engage with educators and students, this resource helps strengthen the bridge between classrooms and careers in the skilled trades.
We’re grateful to Harbor Freight Tools for Schools for their support in helping us create more pathways for students to explore rewarding careers in the trades.
Download the Contractor Toolkit with the link below!
Support the Future of the Trades
Explore The Trades is connecting students with meaningful careers in the skilled trades. Our classroom poster kits are now used in 3,217 public school districts nationwide, reaching more than 1.2 million students and counting.
These professionally designed posters give students a clear, compelling view of real opportunities in the trades. They help shift perceptions early and introduce career paths that directly support the home services industry.
For contractors, manufacturers, and vendors, this is a practical way to invest in workforce development and strengthen the future talent pipeline.
Request a poster kit today and help grow the workforce our industry depends on.
Explore The Trades & NCCER to Partner at ASCA Conference
Explore The Trades is excited to exhibit at the upcoming American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Conference alongside NCCER.
Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with both organizations and learn more about how we support career pathways into the skilled trades and help students explore hands-on, in-demand careers.
We’re also excited to offer the Explore The Trades + NCCER Co‑Kit—a downloadable collection of resources designed to help school counselors introduce students to careers in construction and the skilled trades.
If you’re attending ASCA, be sure to stop by and see us at Booth 925!
Partner Spotlight: Ferguson Expands Pathways to the Skilled Trades
Photo courtesy of Millstream Career Center (Findlay, OH) a 2025-2026 Skills Lab recipient. (L to R) Kevin Schneidler, Instructor, Malachi Abbott, Instructor, Lara Beltz, Vice President of Beltz Home Service Co. and Explore The Trades Board Trustee
As a valued partner of Explore The Trades and the founding partner of the “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” program, Ferguson continues to play a leading role in shaping the future of the skilled trades. The company has set an ambitious goal of connecting 50,000 young people to careers in the trades by 2030.
A key part of this effort includes initiatives like the Skills Lab equipment grant program, which provides schools with industry-grade equipment and hands-on learning opportunities. These experiences give students early exposure to the trades, helping them build confidence, develop practical skills, and explore meaningful career pathways.
Ferguson’s ongoing investment in workforce development is creating lasting impact for students, communities, and the industry as a whole.
Read the full article to learn more about how these efforts are making a difference.
Thank you to our 2026 Partners!
The Campbell Family
James Gerdsen
Anthony Cooper
John M. Cullen
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.