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"
Happy National Skilled Trades Day from Explore The Trades!
We’re celebrating the next generation of skilled professionals who are learning, building, and powering the future.
Explore The Trades and Ferguson Grow Skilled Trades Education with New Grants to 18 Schools
Record-Breaking Interest Highlights Growing Momentum for Career and Technical Education
Bloomington, Minnesota: The “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” equipment grants were announced on May 6, 2026, in celebration of National Skilled Trades Day.
This year, Explore The Trades received a record number of applications for the Skills Lab equipment grants—demonstrating unprecedented interest in career and technical education (CTE) from students, educators, and school communities across the country. From this highly competitive pool, 18 schools were selected as the newest recipients of the 2026 Skills Lab equipment grants.
These new grants are projected to reach over 2,100 students during the upcoming school year, providing hands-on access to skilled trades education and exposing learners to high-demand, well-paying career pathways. Since the program launched in 2021, the “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” initiative has experienced rapid growth, delivering equipment to 49 high schools and 4 middle schools across 21 states nationwide, and reaching over 5,500 students.
The Skills Lab equipment grant program was launched in 2021 with Ferguson as its founding partner, leading the effort to equip schools with the resources needed to grow skilled trades education. In this role, Ferguson funds the equipment grants and provides the tools, resources, and ongoing support schools need to establish or expand skilled trades labs. This initiative reflects Ferguson’s long-term commitment to closing the skilled labor gap through education and workforce development partnerships.
Since 2024, SkillCat has been a key partner of the Skills Lab program, providing all grant recipients with free access to its accredited, online training platform for instructors and students throughout the academic year. SkillCat’s coursework includes industry-recognized certifications such as EPA 608 and OSHA-10, helping students build foundational skills and prepare for in-demand careers in the trades.
“For over 20 years, Explore The Trades has supported skilled trades education and it’s inspiring to see how collaboration across education, industry, and workforce partners continues to drive meaningful impact,” said Kate Cinnamo, Executive Director of Explore The Trades. “I’m grateful that, alongside Ferguson and SkillCat, this program showcases what successful partnerships can achieve. It’s a privilege to support schools and instructors who are preparing students for in-demand trades careers that strengthen communities and the economy.”
Melissa Hazelwood, Ferguson, Director – Social Impact commented: “As interest in the skilled trades continues to rise, building a strong workforce starts with providing real access, support and clear entry points into the industry. Programs like this are designed to strengthen the talent pipeline and give students the tools and opportunities they need to pursue rewarding, lasting careers in the trades.”
Congratulations to the following recipients!
- 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.
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.
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.
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