"Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson"
The skilled trades are facing a critical workforce gap.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 165,000 annual job openings are projected in the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical (PHCE) trades over the next decade. Yet, for every five retirees, only two new workers are entering the field—highlighting the urgent need to inspire and train the next generation.
Since 2021, over 3,500 students across 35 schools have explored careers in plumbing, HVAC, and electrical through the ‘Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson’ equipment grant program. Now in its fifth year, the program continues to equip middle and high school students with hands-on learning opportunities in the skilled trades.
Program Details & Application Information
Interested applicants are encouraged to review the criteria below and submit their applications.
- Applications will be accepted from October 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026.
- Recipients will be announced on May 6, 2026.
- Middle and high schools (grades 6-12) located in the U.S. and Canada, including public, private, CTE or charter schools are eligible.
- Schools that have received a Skills Lab award in the past 24 months are not eligible.
- Grant funds will be allocated as follows:
- $25,000 worth of product and equipment available to those applying for a new skills lab.
- $10,000 worth of product and equipment available to those applying to update an existing skills lab.
- Applications may be submitted to:
- Maddy Sorenson – maddys@explorethetrades.org.
- Rosa Dunn – rosad@explorethetrades.org.
- For questions about the Skills Lab program, please contact:
- Kate Cinnamo – katec@explorethetrades.org | 651-789-8518.
- Maddy Sorenson – maddys@explorethetrades.org | 651-314-3856.
- Rosa Dunn – rosad@explorethetrades.org | 651-789-8583.
Powered by Industry Partnerships
The success of the Skills Lab program is made possible through strong partnerships with industry leaders.
Ferguson, our founding partner, is a North American Fortune 500 company and leading distributor of HVAC and plumbing products. Their continued support has helped expand the program nationwide, bringing essential tools and equipment to classrooms.
SkillCat joined the program in 2024 to provide digital training support. Their online, accredited platform offers certifications like EPA 608 and OSHA-10, helping students build real-world skills. So far, students have completed 1,352 SkillCat courses, logging over 4,151 hours of training—and counting.
Want to explore SkillCat? Use code ETT20 to get started today.
(L to R) Photo courtesy of Bemidji High School; photo courtesy of Mayfair School; photo courtesy of Lebanon County Career and Technology Center.
2024-2025 recipients:
- Abraham Lincoln High School – Plumbing (Denver, Colorado)
- Atlantic County Institute of Technology – HVAC (Mays Landing, New Jersey)
- Burlington County Institute of Technology – Westhampton – HVAC (Westhampton, New Jersey)
- Craig Middle School – Plumbing (Craig, Colorado)
- Lansing Technical High School – HVAC (Lansing, Michigan)
- Lincoln County High School – HVAC (Eureka, Montana)
- Newark School of Architecture & Interior Design – Plumbing (Newark, New Jersey)
- Toms River High School South – HVAC (Toms River, New Jersey)
- West Orange High School – Plumbing (West Orange, New Jersey)
New this year, Explore The Trades is proud to sponsor the first electrical lab in the Skills Lab program. Congratulations to the following recipient:
- Cape May County Technical School District – Electrical (Cape May Court House, New Jersey)
Online Forms:
*Please note: It is recommended to complete the application in full, as it cannot be saved and edited later.
Explore The Trades would like to thank our program partners.
A special thank you to Ferguson,
Founding Partner of the Skills Lab program since 2021.
Partner of the Skills Lab program since 2024.
Explore The Trades would like to thank our program partners.
A special thank you to Ferguson,
Founding Partner of the Skills Lab program since 2021.
Partner of the Skills Lab program since 2024.
2023-2024 recipients:
- Appomattox County High School – HVAC (Appomattox, Virginia)
- Bemidji High School – HVAC (Bemidji, Minnesota)
- Callaway High School – HVAC (Hogansville, Georgia)
- Gateway Regional – HVAC (Woodbury, New Jersey)
- Ivy Academy – HVAC (Soddy Daisy, Tennessee)
- Lebanon County Career and Technology Center – Plumbing (Lebanon, Pennsylvania)
- Mayfair Elementary and Middle School – Plumbing (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
- Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center – HVAC (Poplar Bluff, Missouri)
- Raymore-Peculiar Public School Foundation – HVAC (Peculiar, Missouri)
- Saginaw Career Complex – HVAC (Saginaw, Michigan)
- Thomas J. Corcoran High School – HVAC (Syracuse, New York)
- Woodruff Career and Technical Center – HVAC (Peoria, Illinois)
2022-2023 recipients:
- Bronx Design & Construction High School – Plumbing (Bronx, New York)
- Carroll County Career & Technical Center – HVAC (Westminster, Maryland)
- Franklin County High School – Plumbing (Rocky Mount, Virginia)
- Hastings High School – Plumbing (Hastings, Michigan)
- Lyman High School – Plumbing (Longwood, Florida)
- Milford Mill Academy – Plumbing (Windsor Mill, Maryland)
- Roxbury High School – Plumbing (Succasunna, New Jersey)
- SVHEC Career Tech Academy – HVAC (South Boston, Virginia)
- West Lincoln Middle School – Plumbing (Lincolnton, North Carolina)
- Western School of Tech & Environmental Science – Plumbing (Catonsville, Maryland)
2021-2022 recipients:
- Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center – Plumbing (Lubbock, Texas)
- Washburn Tech – Plumbing (Topeka, Kansas)
- Haney Technical College – HVAC (Panama City, Florida)
About Explore The Trades:
Founded in 2005, Explore The Trades is committed to bridging the technical talent gap to the plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical service trades. The organization is focused on bringing the skilled trades conversation back into the classroom, focusing on providing industry information to educators, parents, and students in the K-12 audience.
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