Explore The Trades and Ferguson Grow Skilled Trades Education with New Grants to 10 Schools

Celebrating Expansion and New Opportunities for Trades Education

The “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” equipment grants were announced on May 7, 2025, in celebration of National Skilled Trades Day.

Ten schools are the newest recipients of the Skills Lab equipment grants, which are projected to reach over 1,500 students this upcoming school year. This dynamic program has experienced rapid growth since it began in 2021 and has now delivered equipment to 32 high schools and three middle schools in 17 states across the country.

“Strong partnerships between industry and education are essential to the growth of the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical trades,” said Kate Cinnamo, Executive Director of Explore The Trades. “We’re excited to see the ‘Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson’ program continue to expand—now reaching a new milestone with the selection of its first-ever electrical lab. This lab is being sponsored directly by Explore The Trades and we’re proud to see the broader initiative grow beyond its original scope. This year, we also welcomed SkillCat as an in-kind donor, whose technical content will further enrich students’ education in the trades. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary in 2025, there’s no better way to honor two decades of supporting skilled trades education in schools across the country!”

Melissa Hazelwood, Director of Social Impact at Ferguson commented: “We’re seeing a pivotal moment for the skilled trades. More young people — especially Gen Z — are recognizing the advantages of a career in trades, from economic stability to long-term growth. With this momentum building and an urgent need to address the industry’s labor shortage, the time is now to invest in the next generation. Through our partnership with Explore The Trades, we’re helping schools turn student interest into hands-on opportunities. These labs are more than just equipment — they represent pathways to promising futures.”

Congratulations to the following recipients!

Proposed Criteria/Eligibility

Applications will be accepted from October 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025.
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, Project Coordinator at Explore The Trades, at [email protected] or through the linked applications below.
For any questions about the Skills Lab initiative, please contact Kate Cinnamo, Executive Director of Explore The Trades, at [email protected] or 651-789-8518, or Maddy Sorenson, Project Coordinator at Explore The Trades, at [email protected] or 651-314-3856.

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)

Downloadable Forms:

Online Forms:

*Please note: It is recommended to complete the application in full, as it cannot be saved and edited later.

Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson New Equipment Grant Application

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 Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson Refurbished Equipment Grant Application

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.

Join Explore The Trades for a Skills Lab Q&A webinar on Wednesday, March 5th from 2-3 PM CST.

Skills Lab Q&A Webinar

This webinar was recorded on March 5th, 2025.

(L to R) Photo courtesy of Bemidji High School; photo courtesy of Mayfair School; photo courtesy of Lebanon County Career and Technology Center.

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)