Explore the Trades logo.
Poster Kits
Explore the Trades logo.
Skills Lab logo.

"Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson"

The “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” school equipment grant program helps schools establish, expand, or upgrade hands-on plumbing, HVAC, and electrical training labs at no cost to the school. As part of Explore The Trade’s mission to address the skilled trades workforce shortage, the grant funds real training equipment for career and technical education (CTE) programs, giving students hands-on exposure to in-demand trade careers. Applications open annually on October 1 and run through March 31.
Applications open October 1. Full eligibility requirements, funding details, an FAQ, and downloadable applications will all be posted right here – check back to get started!

SKILLS LAB: WHERE FUTURE TRADESPEOPLE GET THEIR START

Together, we’re building brighter futures by equipping students with the skills they need to succeed.

10

Schools Nationwide

10

Different States

3500 +

Students Impacted

REAL STORIES FROM REAL CLASSROOMS

HOW THE GRANT WORKS

Skills Lab recipients don’t get a pre-set equipment list. Instead, you’ll be able to choose the products that best fit your students, instructors, and facility, so every award is built around what your program actually needs, including:

  • Funding for plumbing and HVAC equipment and tools
  • Support to launch a brand-new skills lab or expand one you already have
  • Access to industry-relevant resources that support hands-on learning
  • Opportunities to build stronger career and technical education (CTE) pathways for your students
  • Help connecting with local industry professionals and employers, so your program can grow and students get real-world exposure

By pairing that flexibility with industry-relevant resources, the Skills Lab program helps strengthen CTE pathways and prepares the next generation of skilled trades professionals.

About Ferguson:  

Ferguson is North America’s leading distributor of plumbing, HVAC, waterworks, appliances, lighting, and industrial products. With more than 1,700 locations and 35,000 associates, they help contractors, builders, and facility professionals complete projects efficiently and successfully.

About Comfort Systems USA Foundation:

The Comfort Systems USA Foundation is the charitable arm of Comfort Systems USA, focused on workforce development. The foundation is committed to empowering underserved communities by creating pathways to rewarding careers in the skilled trades. Comfort Systems USA is the leading provider of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing building systems and services. They operate through more than 50 operating companies across 150 cities and 206+ locations.

Is the Skills Lab Grant Right for Your School?

This grant is for schools and career and technical education programs, not individual students. If you’re a school administrator, CTE director, or instructor looking to fund or grow a plumbing, HVAC, or electrical lab, this program is built for you.

Looking to Train for a Career Yourself?

This grant is designed for schools, not individual students. If you’re exploring a future in the trades, start with How to Become a Plumber, How to Become an Electrician, or How to Become an HVAC Technician to learn about training paths, apprenticeships, and what it takes to get started. 

2025-2026 recipients:

  • Barack Obama School of Career and Technical Education – HVAC (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
  • Camden County Technical Schools – Plumbing (Sicklerville, New Jersey)
  • Delsea Regional High School – Plumbing (Franklinville, New Jersey)
  • East Orange Campus High School – Plumbing (East Orange, New Jersey)
  • Gloucester High School – HVAC (Gloucester, Virginia)
  • Hunterdon County Vocational School District – North Campus – Plumbing (Flemington, New Jersey)
  • La Center High School – Plumbing (La Center, Washington)
  • La Follette High School – Plumbing (Madison, Wisconsin)
  • Millstream Career Center – Plumbing (Findlay, Ohio)
  • New Horizons Regional Education Center – Plumbing (Newport News, Virginia)
  • Northeast Metro 916 Career and Technical Center – HVAC (White Bear Lake, Minnesota)
  • Northwestern Area School District – Plumbing/HVAC (Mellette, South Dakota)
  • Patchogue-Medford High School – Plumbing (Medford, New York)
  • Pennsauken High School – HVAC (Pennsauken, New Jersey)
  • Pinelands Regional High School – Plumbing (Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey)
  • Stafford Intermediate School – Plumbing/HVAC (Manahawkin, New Jersey)
  • Thornapple Kellogg High School – Plumbing (Middleville, Michigan)
  • Western Suffolk BOCES – Wilson Tech – HVAC (Dix Hills, New York)

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)

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)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Explore The Trades’ Skills Lab program is an equipment grant program developed in partnership with Ferguson that provides plumbing, electrical, and HVAC training equipment to middle (grades 6-8) and high schools (grades 9-12) across the country. It’s designed to help close the skilled trades talent gap by giving students hands-on experience with real, professional-grade tools and systems. Since 2021, the Skills Lab program has reached more than 5,500 students across 21 states.

The Skills Lab grant supports plumbing, electrical, and HVAC trades education and CTE career training programs at middle and high schools. Whether your school is building out a new CTE program or expanding an existing one, the grant provides professional-grade equipment to classrooms and gives students hands-on experience with the trades before they enter the workforce.

The Skills Lab grant is open to schools that offer or are developing trade education programs in plumbing, electrical, and/or HVAC. Eligible schools will work with their local Ferguson branch for plumbing or HVAC equipment. Schools selected to receive electrical equipment will work with a local electrical supplier.

Applications for the Explore The Trades Skills Lab grant open October 1 and close March 31 each year. Schools interested in adding or upgrading plumbing, electrical, or HVAC training equipment should plan to apply during this annual window.

Once recipients are selected, each school for HVAC and plumbing labs will be matched with the
nearest Ferguson branch for order fulfillment.

For electrical labs only, each school will be matched with the nearest electrical supplier for order fulfillment.

Once connected, the school and the local branch will work together to finalize an order that will then be sent to Explore The Trades for final approval and payment.

Those applying for a new program equipment grant may qualify for up to $25,000 in equipment, products, and consumables.

Schools applying for an existing program may qualify for a grant of up to $10,000 for equipment, products, and consumables.

The number of HVAC and plumbing equipment grants awarded is based on the number of applications received. There is no predetermined number of awards in either the New Program or Existing Program categories.

For electrical labs only, there will be one new program equipment grant award and one existing one.