SkillsUSA National Signing Day … Students like Jacob Jackson, who grew up working beside his dadSkillsUSA National Signing Day … Students like Julia Warren, who found her calling through sheet metal and physics…And special guests like Sam Darnold, who knows the value of the trades firsthand The Lowe’s Foundation recently celebrated a record-setting SkillsUSA National Read more
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The Lowe’s Foundation recently celebrated a record-setting SkillsUSA National Signing Day in style as over 3,500 students nationwide said “yes” to skilled trades careers and apprenticeships. This included five “blue carpet” ceremonies at Lowe’s stores to cheer on these students alongside their families, future employers, SkillsUSA advisers and NFL quarterback Sam Darnold.
The perception of blue-collar careers is undergoing a generational transformation. More Gen Z students are choosing purpose-driven, skills-based paths over traditional four-year degrees—reflected in the surging enrollment at community and technical colleges nationwide. This shift isn’t happening in isolation. It’s often powered by the encouragement of parents who recognize the value, stability and opportunity these careers provide — no longer a “plan B” but an intentional path forward. Especially among SkillsUSA student signers, the support of their parents has been instrumental. Their stories reflect a cultural shift. More than ever, they view skilled trades as a strategic and purpose-driven career choice.
SkillsUSA National Signing Day … Students like Jacob Jackson, who grew up working beside his dad
Jacob, a high school senior who walked the blue carpet in Seattle, plans to attend Universal Technical Institute to pursue a career in HVAC technology and start his own business.
“Working with my dad and growing up in the trades has given me the opportunity to meet tons of people in the industry,” Jacob said. “Almost all of them said it’s the way to go.”
His father, Daniel, said, “I work in the skilled trades and couldn’t be happier with (Jacob’s) choice. Without the trades, we wouldn’t have the infrastructure that folks rely on every day. Jacob’s interest in HVAC combines knowledge of electrical, plumbing, engineering; it’s a well-rounded trade.”
SkillsUSA National Signing Day … Students like Julia Warren, who found her calling through sheet metal and physics
Julia, a student from Washington, is pursuing an HVAC apprenticeship through the Western Washington Sheet Metal JATC (Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee). Initially on a college-bound engineering track, she found her passion after being placed in a woodshop class and fell in love with the craft.
“I find the material, benefits and wage to be the most appealing as a promising career path,” Julia explained.
Her mom, Kathy, has seen her daughter’s confidence soar.
“My daughter is an excellent student; not much has changed there. But I have noticed she has taken more of a liking to physics and math, and is willing to do trial and error on projects,” Kathy said. “My daughter was thinking about going to college to become an engineer. But after she did the pre-apprenticeship for the sheet metal union, she felt this was a better fit.”
…And special guests like Sam Darnold, who knows the value of the trades firsthand
At the Seattle Lowe’s #2734 (3511 5th Street SE, Puyallup, WA 98374), students were joined by a surprise guest — NFL quarterback Sam Darnold, who took a moment to speak to the crowd.
His message was simple but powerful:
These jobs are the backbone of our communities, and the people who do them deserve a whole lot more recognition. These students are stepping into a future that’s not only bright but absolutely vital to our communities.”
Sam’s father recorded a special message congratulating the student signers:
“I’ve been a medical gas plumber for nearly 30 years. I want to start off by congratulating the SkillsUSA students on their commitment to skilled trades careers this month. We need you. As I look back on my experience as a tradesperson, I found an extreme source of pride in providing products and services to countless hospitals and medical facilities over the years.”
“I took pride in my dependability – being early, willing to stay late, doing whatever it took to finish the job right. This mindset made me a valuable contributor for my company and customers, which became an example to both of our children, as we witnessed in Sam’s athletic career over the years. Again, I wish you all the same success and rewards that I’ve experienced in the trades. It’s a journey well worth traveling.”
As students like Jacob and Julia sign for success on SkillsUSA National Signing Day, they’re redefining what success looks like.
It’s a movement—and it’s just getting started.
Since 2023, the Lowe’s Foundation has awarded over $34 million in Gable Grants to over 50 organizations across the nation offering innovative skilled trades training. Through these grants, program participants are strengthening their skills in carpentry and construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and appliance repair.
To learn more about the Lowe’s Foundation, visit Lowes.com/Foundation and follow on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
For more info on SkillsUSA, https://mechanical-hub.com/2024-skillsusa-plumbing-championship-winners/
Celebrating Expansion and New Opportunities for Trades Education Celebrating Expansion and New Opportunities for Trades EducationSkilled TradesCongratulations to the following recipients! The “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” equipment grants were announced on May 7, 2025, in celebration of National Skilled Trades Day in an effort to grow skilled education. Ten schools are Read more
Celebrating Expansion and New Opportunities for Trades Education
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The “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” equipment grants were announced on May 7, 2025, in celebration of National Skilled Trades Day in an effort to grow skilled education.
Ten schools are the newest recipients of the Skills Lab equipment grants, which are projected to reach over 1,500 students this upcoming school year. This dynamic program has experienced rapid growth since it began in 2021 and has now delivered equipment to 32 high schools and three middle schools in 17 states across the country. These grants are funded by Ferguson, a leading value-added distributor in residential and commercial construction, which also provides the equipment and support to help schools establish or expand their skilled trades labs. The initiative reflects Ferguson’s long-term commitment to closing the skilled labor gap through education and workforce development partnerships.
“Strong partnerships between industry and education are essential to the growth of the plumbing, HVAC,
and electrical trades,” said Kate Cinnamo, Executive Director of Explore The Trades. “We’re excited to see the ‘Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson’ program continue to expand—now reaching a new milestone with the selection of its first-ever electrical lab. This lab is being sponsored directly by Explore The Trades and we’re proud to see the broader initiative grow beyond its original scope. This year, we also welcomed SkillCat as an in-kind donor, whose technical content will further enrich students’ education in the trades. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary in 2025, there’s no better way to honor two decades of supporting skilled trades education in schools across the country!”
Skilled Trades
Melissa Hazelwood, Director of Social Impact at Ferugson commented: “We’re seeing a pivotal moment
for the skilled trades. More young people — especially Gen Z — are recognizing the advantages of a careerin trades, from economic stability to long-term growth. With this momentum building and an urgent need to address the industry’s labor shortage, the time is now to invest in the next generation. Through our partnership with Explore The Trades, we’re helping schools turn student interest into hands-on opportunities. These labs are more than just equipment — they represent pathways to promising futures.”
Congratulations to the following recipients!
2024-2025 Recipients
- Abraham Lincoln High School – Plumbing (Denver, Colorado)
- Atlantic County Institute of Technology – HVAC (Mays Landing, New Jersey)
- Burlington County Institute of Technology – Westhampton – HVAC (Westhampton, New Jersey)
- Craig Middle School – Plumbing (Craig, Colorado)
- Lansing Technical High School – HVAC (Lansing, Michigan)
- Lincoln County High School – HVAC (Eureka, Montana)
- Newark School of Architecture & Interior Design – Plumbing (Newark, New Jersey)
- Toms River High School South – HVAC (Toms River, New Jersey)
- West Orange High School – Plumbing (West Orange, New Jersey)
New this year, Explore The Trades is proud to sponsor the first electrical lab in the Skills Lab program.
Congratulations to the following recipient:
- Cape May County Technical School District – (Cape May Court House, New Jersey)
To see a list of all Skills Lab equipment grant recipients, please visit our website.
Subscribe to our newsletter, https://mechanical-hub.com/enewsletter/
Step into the TradesNike MattB CustomsWatts Works Online Step into the Trades Watts has announced the launch of its “Step Into The Trades” campaign, designed to bridge the gap between sneaker culture and skilled trades. Customers can log into or create a free Watts Works Online training account and earn 15 tickets for every learning Read more
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Step into the Trades
Watts has announced the launch of its “Step Into The Trades” campaign, designed to bridge the gap between sneaker culture and skilled trades. Customers can log into or create a free Watts Works Online training account and earn 15 tickets for every learning module they complete, entering them into a sweepstakes for a chance to win one of three custom pairs of Watts Nike Dunks.
Nike MattB Customs
These exclusive sneakers, hand-painted by MattB Customs, feature the iconic Watts blue and showcase cartoons from vintage Watts ads from the 1940s-60s. This throwback-inspired design celebrates Watts’ 150-year history of innovation, transforming the sneakers into a wearable tribute to the trades.
The sweepstakes opens on May 7th, National Skilled Trades Day, and runs through July 7th. Three winners will be selected and contacted by email.
Watts Works Online
The giveaway is exclusively open to customers using Watts Works Online. To participate, visit training.watts.com.
To sign up for our weekly newsletter, https://mechanical-hub.com/enewsletter/
Profit Launch Flexible SessionsRegistration Upcoming sessions will help HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and other contracting companies develop comprehensive business plans Business Development Resources (BDR), the training and business coaching authority for home services industry professionals, announces the return of its highly anticipated Profit Launch Business Planning workshops—dynamic sessions designed to empower contracting business owners to build strategic, profit-driven plans Read more
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Upcoming sessions will help HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and other contracting companies develop comprehensive business plans
Business Development Resources (BDR), the training and business coaching authority for home services industry professionals, announces the return of its highly anticipated Profit Launch Business Planning workshops—dynamic sessions designed to empower contracting business owners to build strategic, profit-driven plans that deliver lasting success.
A staple of the home service industry for the past two decades, Profit Launch provides contractors with a roadmap to increase profitability, create sustainable growth and develop a strategic five-year business plan.
“Our Profit Launch workshops offer home service business owners the chance to work with a coach who can help them lay the groundwork for ongoing success—and address challenges, overcome obstacles and build confident plans for the future,” said Kim Archer, president of BDR.
Each three-day workshop features virtual live sessions, breakout rooms and one-on-one support to give business owners exposure to a full range of expertise, including sessions and breakouts targeted toward each business department, such as front-office and back-office operations, marketing, advertising, leadership development, and more.
Profit Launch Flexible Sessions
Profit Launch features seven sessions with flexible dates, allowing contractors to choose the options that best fit their busy schedules.
- Session One | September 24-26, 2025
- Session Two | October 1-3, 2025
- Session Three | October 15-17, 2025
- Session Four | October 29-31, 2025
- Session Five | November 5-7, 2025
- Session Six | November 19-21, 2025
- Session Seven | December 3-5, 2025
“Year after year, we see a clear pattern: contractors who commit to strategic planning outpace those who don’t,” said Archer. “Profit Launch isn’t just about creating a business plan—it’s about equipping owners to execute. When contractors leave these workshops, they walk away with the tools to approach their future confidently—ready to control revenue and streamline operations.”
Registration
Registration is open for Profit Launch Business Planning workshops throughout 2025’s fall and winter months. To register, visit https://www.bdrco.com/profit-launch-business-planning-2026-registration.
For more on BDR, https://mechanical-hub.com/bdr-helps-home-service-contractors-gain-competitive-edge-with-new-spring-training-courses/
This agreement will foster collaboration to benefit the plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas industries On April 15, 2025, the International Code Council and United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA) signed an agreement that underscores both organizations’ unwavering commitment to the hardworking tradesmen and tradeswomen Read more
This agreement will foster collaboration to benefit the plumbing, mechanical and fuel gas industries
On April 15, 2025, the International Code Council and United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA) signed an agreement that underscores both organizations’ unwavering commitment to the hardworking tradesmen and tradeswomen of the plumbing, mechanical fuel gas (PMG) industries.
The UA represents approximately 384,000 plumbers, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, HVACR service technicians, welders and pipeliners working in the construction industry throughout North America.
This collaboration underscores the Code Council’s commitment to supporting skilled trades and producing more well-rounded PMG-related codes, standards and other industry publications. The Code Council and the UA will continue to work together to help train the next generation of plumbers, pipefitters and mechanical contractors. Under this agreement, both organizations will advocate for improved plumbing infrastructure that supports public health.
“This collaborative effort reflects the Code Council’s deep understanding of the critical role skilled labor plays in shaping safe, sustainable and resilient communities,” said Code Council Chief Executive Officer, John Belcik. “It’s a testament to our shared mission—to elevate codes and standards, uphold safety and foster a thriving labor force that reflects the future of our industry.”
“The men and women of the United Association are the best-trained and most highly skilled craftspeople in the world, and we are proud to work each day to protect the health of our nations,” said Mark McManus, General President of the United Association. “Our partnership with the Code Council will ensure that we continue this important work keeping our communities safe and upholding the highest codes and standards. We are thrilled to enter into this agreement and to ensure that the voices of the men and women performing this work is well-represented in the codes and standards that govern our industry.”