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The trades are a timeless industry with a rich history. For generations, tradespeople have been instrumental in building this nation and they will continue to serve our communities years into the future.
Explore The Trades was founded in 2005 to promote this legacy and empower future trades professionals.
Why Our Work Matters
Over the last generation, many factors have played a role in creating a skilled labor shortage. What was once considered the backbone of this nation, the trades were cast aside as society favored a “college for all” mentality. Now is the time to renew our focus on the industries that keep our country running.
Explore The Trades exists to bridge the technical talent gap to the service trades:
- Plumbing
- Heating
- Cooling
- Electrical
Jobs in these industries are in high demand and come with great pay, career opportunities, and job security. We want to help people discover that these careers aren’t just a choice —they’re the best choice.
Donor Spotlight
Ryan Kiscaden
Sales Enablement Manager
Watts Water Technologies
“Ryan believes the plumbing industry needs more plumbers, specifically women and minorities, and that our industry can better celebrate problem solving and acknowledge how technicians help others to develop a positive perception of the skilled trades at a younger age.”
How You Can Help
With support from donors and industry partners, Explore The Trades is assisting in assembling the technical workforce of the future. When you donate to Explore The Trades, your gift provides classroom and on-demand resources to educators, young adults, parents, and all those ready to begin a path to career success.
Support to Explore The Trades ensures that the plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical trades stay in the forefront of career conversations for the next generation.
Explore The Trades is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity; EIN 20-3547319.
Make a gift today to help empower the trades of tomorrow.
Become a Monthly Supporter of Explore The Trades!
You can make a big impact by giving a small amount on a regular basis. Join our community of recurring donors to help sustain our work bringing the service trades of plumbing, HVAC, and electrical to the individuals who are vital to the industries’ growth: students, parents, and educators.
Industry professionals and trades advocates like you are critical to the success of Explore The Trades’ initiatives and ultimately, communities around the nation. Setting up a monthly contribution only takes a moment and provides the organization with essential support throughout the year.
Supporters who wish to become a monthly donor will receive the following:
- Special recognition on Explore the Trades’ website and annual donor recognition announcements
- An Explore The Trades digital badge to share on social media or your company’s website to proudly showcase your support of Explore The Trades
- Explore the Trades stickers and lapel pin.
All contributions are greatly appreciated.
Your Annual Impact
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Become a Sponsor of Explore The Trades!
Explore The Trades Sponsorship Opportunities
To discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact:
Toni Bower, Donor Engagement Specialist: [email protected] or 651-300-1612
Kate Cinnamo, Executive Director: [email protected] or 651-789-8518
Donor Spotlight
Ryan Kiscaden
Sales Enablement Manager
Watts Water Technologies
Ryan Kiscaden is an HVACR and plumbing marketer at Watts Water Technologies as the Sales Enablement Manager. Watts Water Technologies is an industry-leading manufacturer of water quality solutions for residential, industrial, municipal, and commercial settings. Ryan has been in the plumbing and HVAC industries for 16 years, including working for an HVACR and plumbing wholesaler, plumbing category manufacturers, and running a non-profit focused on recycling thermostats and major plumbing equipment.
In addition to his numerous contributions to the plumbing industry, Ryan recently wrote a children’s book promoting the plumbing industry called The Water Came to a Stop. This is the first book in the NEXT UP TRADES series. The myriad of skilled labor challenges, including perceptions associated with skilled trades technicians, inspired him to create the children’s book series.
Just a few years ago, he felt compelled to consider ways to address the workforce development issues the plumbing, HVACR and electrical industries face. In a time of an emergency, skilled tradespeople are important to solve our problems through quality installation and maintenance. Ryan believes the plumbing industry needs more plumbers, specifically women and minorities, and that our industry can better celebrate problem solving and acknowledge how technicians help others to develop a positive perception of the skilled trades at a younger age.
The Water Came to a Stop provides plumbing word associations throughout, and the last page includes a word and image association lesson which assists in increasing children’s vocabulary retention. Ryan believes that children’s education and entertainment materials, when fostered and championed by their guardians, are an excellent way to start conversations about the trades with curious children.
Ryan’s personal mission statement is to engage life with an introspective, decent, listen-first mentality which keeps the mind open and allows hearts to feel experiences that will enrich families and beliefs. This personal mission statement was another part of what drove him to create the NEXT UP TRADES children’s book series because the plumbing, HVAC and electrical industries workforce must grow, and it starts with changing the perceptions associated with the typical skilled technician.
Ryan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and an MBA from Elizabethtown College. He lives outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with his wife and two young sons. More information on Ryan’s book, click here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryankiscaden/
