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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

Lauren Martin

President
Seaside Plumbing

“Society cannot survive without fresh, clean drinking water and proper sanitation. It’s the trades that protect the health and safety of the nation and keep it running every day.”

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.

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

Lauren Martin

President

Seaside Plumbing

Lauren and her husband, Josh, own and operate Seaside Plumbing located in Berlin, Maryland, which has been in business since 2003. She believes the best part of owning a plumbing business is helping people in their local community every day.

Her passion lies with the plumbing trade because she affirms that society cannot survive without fresh, clean drinking water and proper sanitation. It’s the trades that protect the health and safety of the nation and keep it running every day.

Lauren is proud to share that Seaside Plumbing has its own in-house training program and a partnership with their local technical school so they can show students the wonderful world of plumbing. Lauren and her team at Seaside Plumbing also love attending elementary school events. She is especially passionate about community and school outreach so that kids of all ages can learn that a career in the trades is an option after high school.

Her business is also proud to have a very diverse workforce, which includes several female plumbers and apprentices on their team. Lauren believes women are changing the trades for the better by breaking old stereotypes and she’s proud to be a part of that!

As the Treasurer of the Explore The Trades Board of Trustees since 2023, Lauren is pleased to support the organization at a higher level by giving the trades a voice. This is important to her so the next generation (and everyone!) can learn the value of the skilled trades. The trades have done so much for Lauren and her family, so she is happy to give back and share her love of the trades with others.

Lauren’s professional background is in Business and Accounting, and she currently holds her CPA license. She and Josh have two young kids and their family loves to travel together and be outdoors.