Explore The Trades, Ferguson Expand Skilled Trades Grants to 18 Schools
Key Highlights
- Eighteen schools across the U.S. received grants to establish or expand skilled trades labs for the 2026 academic year.
- Partnerships with Ferguson and SkillCat support equipment provision, online training, and workforce development efforts.
- The program has grown since 2021, reaching over 5,500 students in 49 high schools and four middle schools across 21 states.
BLOOMINGTON, Minnesota — Explore The Trades and Ferguson announced 18 recipients of the 2026 “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” equipment grants, expanding access to skilled trades education in schools nationwide.
The announcement coincides with National Skilled Trades Day and follows a record number of applications, signaling increased interest in career and technical education programs. The selected schools are expected to impact more than 2,100 students in the upcoming academic year by providing hands-on training and exposure to high-demand trades careers.
According to Explore The Trades, the Skills Lab program has grown steadily since its launch in 2021. The initiative has delivered equipment to 49 high schools and four middle schools across 21 states, reaching more than 5,500 students to date.
Ferguson, the program’s founding partner, funds the grants and supplies equipment, tools, and ongoing support to help schools establish or expand skilled trades labs. The effort is designed to address workforce shortages by building a pipeline of trained workers entering the trades.
Since 2024, SkillCat has supported the program by providing grant recipients with access to its accredited online training platform. The coursework includes industry-recognized certifications such as Environmental Protection Agency Section 608 and Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10-hour training, helping students develop foundational skills aligned with industry requirements.
“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.”
The 2026 grant recipients were selected from a competitive national applicant pool, reflecting growing demand for skilled trades education and increased focus on workforce readiness across the industry.
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); and
- Western Suffolk BOCES – Wilson Tech – HVAC (Dix Hills, New York).