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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: Lara Beltz

Vice President/Co-Owner
Beltz Home Service Co.
Findlay, Ohio

“These trades have given me the opportunity to expand my reach, grow, teach, learn, and do more than any job I have ever had. I want all that for others. I love the fact that you don’t have to dive into debt to make a great living with the trades – and not enough people know that. “

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

$10

With a contribution of $10 a month, your annual impact provides 12 poster kits to schools across the country – reaching over 2,800 students each year

$20

With a contribution of $20 a month, your annual impact provides 24 poster kits to schools across the country – reaching over 5,600 students each year.

$50

With a contribution of $50 a month, your annual impact provides 60 poster kits to schools across the country – reaching over 14,000 students each year.

$100

With a contribution of $100 a month, your annual impact provides 120 poster kits to schools across the country – reaching over 28,000 students each year.

We empower you to choose a custom amount to give monthly to support us.

Donor Spotlight

Lara Beltz

Vice President/Co-Owner

Beltz Home Service Co.

Lara Beltz is co-owner and marketing manager of Beltz Home Service Co., an electrical, plumbing, and HVAC company that has been serving the Northwest Ohio area for 22 years. After serving in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman in Sigonella, Sicily in the ER running emergency medical services as an EMT, she earned her degree in marketing. Lara now has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and graphic design and manages all marketing for her company. Currently, she also serves as an advisor with Women in Plumbing and Piping, and a member of both Women in HVACR and the Women in Nexstar Steering Committee. Lara also serves locally in her community as a member of the Hancock County Business Advisory Council and Millstream Trades Advisory Board.

Explore The Trades is excited to announce that Lara assumed the role as president of the board of trustees as of October 1, 2023!

Lara has a heart for educating young people about the value and opportunities of careers in the plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical trades. She is always seeking opportunities to share her experiences within her community and promote trades businesses locally and beyond. She has found working with women’s industry organizations, such as Women in Plumbing and Piping and Women in HVACR, to be particularly rewarding. Her involvement with these organizations is important to her because they offer so many women in these industries a strong sense of community and support.

As a committed advocate for the PHCE industries and a dedicated trustee since 2021, Lara is passionate about Explore The Trades’ initiatives. Lara regularly uses the materials that Explore The Trades provides at all local career and student job fairs and incorporates them into her business’ social media. She believes the materials provided by the organization are a great resource for students, parents, employers, and anyone who wants to know how to get started in these careers.

A dog lover and avid outdoorswoman, Lara enjoys spending her free time with her husband Brian, a fellow U.S. Navy veteran, along with their son. She’s passionate about plants, motorcycles, freedom, and Italy.