"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 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 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
See the impact firsthand — students and teachers share what the “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” equipment grant program has meant for their school.
How the Grant Works
Skills Lab recipients don’t get a pre-set equipment list. Instead, you’ll work directly with your local Ferguson branch 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.
2025-2026 recipients:
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- 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:
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- 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:
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- 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:
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- 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:
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- Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center – Plumbing (Lubbock, Texas)
- Washburn Tech – Plumbing (Topeka, Kansas)
- Haney Technical College – HVAC (Panama City, Florida)