Educators: Request a Poster Kit

To request a poster kit for your school, please click the button to send us your information. Poster kit will include four 18″x24″ posters of the infographics below. Please allow one to two weeks for delivery.

Please click here to enter your shipping information.

Plumbing
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HVAC
hvac-career-path
Electrical
Electrician-career-path
Customer Experience
Skilled Trades
Infographic
Skilled Trades Infographic

our impact

Explore The Trades is delivering information about plumbing, HVAC, and electrical directly to students throughout North America.

357000
Students Impacted
1900
Poster Kits Delivered
1400
Poster Kit Sites in North America
Parents and Educators

As someone who is helping a young adult choose a career path after high school, you probably have a few questions about these industries. We have the information and insight to assist in your career exploration.
Benefits Apprenticeships STEM Resources Explore
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Benefits of Working in the Trades

Working for a residential plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical (PHCE) service company is a great career opportunity. You’ll need the same foundational skills for both residential and commercial service companies, but, there are differences that make working on the residential side a great fit for many plumbers, HVAC technicians and electricians.

Residential service technicians travel to different homes each day. This gives you the opportunity to see new places and work in a fresh environment almost every day. That’s different than a job with a commercial company, which may have its employees working on one large job for months at a time.

Along with travel, residential service gives you a chance to meet new people every day. Many will be your neighbors. You’ll get to know people in your community.

Unlike commercial work, residential jobs are usually completed within one day. You’ll see your work completed in a short time frame.

The compensation of residential service careers can be excellent, especially for those individuals who enjoy the interactive customer service side of the business. Average salaries wages are around $65,000 but can climb much higher. Also, the initial costs of training for a trade career is much less than other careers, creating savings for you!

Your work van is your own space. It’s a mobile office and warehouse all in one. Keeping it clean, fully stocked and organized will not only make your job easier, but will provide you with a sense of pride.

Our partners are essential to the success of Explore The Trades’ efforts to bridge the technical talent gap in the plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical trades. Support from industry-leading companies and residential service businesses make accomplishing our mission possible and are leading the way in growing the skilled trades industry.

What is an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are a time-tested employee training system that combines job-related technical instruction with structured on-the-job learning experiences.

The benefits of going through an apprenticeship are many! Apprentices gain skills and in-depth industry knowledge through paid on-the-job training that puts them ahead of the crowd in their pursuit to a great career.

Most states require aspiring skilled PHCE technicians complete formal education through a trade or technical college. In some instances, students may complete their apprenticeship during school as part of their training. Other times, a license may be obtained in school, then followed by an apprenticeship.

Learn More Apprenticeships Map
Watch our video to learn more about apprenticeships.
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STEM and the Skilled Trades

Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are the essential building blocks of careers that cross industries and impact our daily lives in different ways. STEM is the foundation of technical careers that propels our future workforce forward to stability, career growth opportunities and success. STEM is the skilled trades of plumbing, heating and cooling (HVAC) and electrical.

In this section, we’re going to dive deeper into plumbing, HVAC and electrical and illustrate how STEM impacts the trades that keep you safe, healthy and comfortable each day.

STEM and the Skilled Trades Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are the essential building blocks of careers that cross industries and impact our daily lives in different ways. STEM is the foundation of technical careers that propels our future workforce…

STEM and the Skilled Trades Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are the essential building blocks of careers that cross industries and impact our daily lives in different ways. STEM is the foundation of technical careers that propels our future workforce…

STEM and the Skilled Trades Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are the essential building blocks of careers that cross industries and impact our daily lives in different ways. STEM is the foundation of technical careers that propels our future workforce…

Trade Jobs

The trades offer great pay, benefits, job security and professional satisfaction. Explore The Trades is your complete resource for everything you need to get started and advance your career. Connect with the right people, the right information and get the right answers to get your career in gear!

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Trade Schools and Licensing

Taking vocational classes at a trade school or technical or community college is a great way to get you out of the classroom and working faster. Trade schools offer on-the-job training and allow students to learn the specific skills they need for a successful career in the trades.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CAREERS IN PLUMBING, HVAC AND ELECTRICAL

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