Explore The Trades Visits Skills Lab Schools
This fall, the Explore The Trades team hit the road to see two of our Skills Labs in Action.
Connections Coordinator Rosa Dunn visited the Career Tech Academy at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) in South Boston, Virginia, a 2022-2023 Skills Lab recipient. Rosa observed students working through hands-on labs and learning about Freon and refrigerant in HVAC units.
Executive Director Kate Cinnamo visited Barack Obama School of CTE in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a 2025-2026 Skills Lab recipient, to see their HVAC lab up close and talk with instructor Antonio Washington about the program.
Thank you to both schools for welcoming us and for the work they’re doing to prepare the next generation of skilled trades professionals.
Know a school that could use a Skills Lab? Share this with them! Industry pros like you are often the best link between local schools and the trades.
Photo Courtesy: Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (Virginia), 2022-2023 Skills Lab Recipient
Photo Courtesy: Barack Obama School of Career and Technical Education (Wisconsin), 2025-2026 Skills Lab Recipient
Join Explore The Trades at ACTE’s CareerTech VISION
Explore The Trades is excited to participate in ACTE’s CareerTech VISION conference this December in New Orleans, bringing together educators, administrators, and industry leaders committed to preparing the next generation of skilled trades professionals.
Visit us in Booth 2704 to learn how we’re working with schools and industry partners to increase awareness of rewarding careers in plumbing, HVAC, and the electrical trades.
Explore The Trades Executive Director Kate Cinnamo will join Jimmy Hull, Senior Manager of Workforce Development, at NCCER for the session, “Improving CTE Awareness with NCCER and Explore The Trades.” The presentation will highlight innovative approaches to career awareness and exploration, helping students discover opportunities in the construction trades while strengthening the workforce pipeline for our industry.
We look forward to connecting with partners who share our commitment to developing tomorrow’s skilled workforce.
PHCC Connect
The Explore The Trades team recently exhibited at the PHCC Connect Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where we connected with contractors, chapter leaders, and industry partners from across the country. We also enjoyed watching apprentices put their skills to the test during the conference’s apprenticeship competition.
Thank you, PHCC, for hosting a great event and for helping strengthen connections throughout the skilled trades community.
Meet Dispatchly AI
Dispatchly AI is a Skilled Trades Supporter of Explore The Trades. The company helps trade businesses manage customer calls and the work that follows. Its AI Receptionist captures customer needs, while supporting tools help teams coordinate scheduling, estimates, invoices and customer follow-up.
For a busy plumbing, HVAC, or electrical business, a clear record of an inquiry can help the office understand the next step. Dispatchly can be used alongside an existing workflow, with features depending on the selected plan, business setup and connected services.
Dispatchly is offering 3 month free on a 12-month plan. For offer details or a demo, click the button below.
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.