Join Explore The Trades for a Skills Lab Q&A webinar on Wednesday, March 11th from
2-2:30 PM CST.
"Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson"
The “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” equipment grant program is designed to help schools establish, expand, or enhance plumbing and HVAC training programs. Applications open annually on October 1 and go through March 31, giving eligible schools the opportunity to secure the tools and equipment needed to create impactful hands-on learning experiences for students.
- 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 previously 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.
SKILLS LAB PROGRAM IMPACT
Together, we’re building brighter futures by equipping students with the skills they need to succeed.
K-12 Schools Nationwide
Different States
Students Impacted
The Grant Provides
- Funding for plumbing and HVAC equipment and tools.
- Support for creating a new skills lab or expanding an existing one.
- Flexibility to select equipment based on the school’s specific program needs.
- Access to industry-relevant resources that support hands-on learning.
- Opportunities to strengthen career and technical education pathways for students.
- Assistance connecting schools with local industry professionals and employers to support program growth and student engagement.
The Grant Does Not Provide
To help schools determine whether the program is the right fit, it is important to understand what the grant does not cover:
- The grant does not fund instructor salaries or provide teaching staff for a program.
- The grant does not provide a curriculum or require schools to use a specific curriculum provider.
- The grant does not include a pre-selected equipment package that every recipient receives.
- This grant is intended for program support and does not cover construction costs.
- The grant does not dictate how a school designs its lab or training space.
- The grant does not replace local planning, staffing, or program development efforts.
How It Works
Unlike grants that provide a predetermined equipment package, Skills Lab recipients work directly with their local Ferguson branch to select the products that best meet the needs of their students, instructors, and facilities, ensuring each award supports the unique goals of the program. By empowering educators with industry-relevant resources and flexibility, the Skills Lab program helps strengthen career and technical education pathways while preparing 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.
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)
(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:
View 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:
View 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:
View 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:
View 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.
LEARN MORE