12 Schools to Receive Support to Create and Update Plumbing & HVAC Labs The “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” equipment grants were announced on May 1, 2024, in celebration of National Skilled Trades Day. Twelve schools are the newest recipients of the Skills Lab equipment grants, which are projected to reach over Read more
National Skilled Trades Day
12 Schools to Receive Support to Create and Update Plumbing & HVAC Labs
The “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” equipment grants were announced on May 1, 2024, in celebration of National Skilled Trades Day.
Twelve schools are the newest recipients of the Skills Lab equipment grants, which are projected to reach over 1,000 students this upcoming school year. This dynamic program has experienced rapid growth since it began in 2021 and has now delivered plumbing and HVAC equipment to 26 schools and over 2,000 students nationwide.
“The national conversation around the importance of the skilled trades and technical education has reached a fever pitch this year,” noted Kate Cinnamo, Executive Director of Explore The Trades. “Trade education programs in communities around the nation are bringing the next generation to these industries. Our partnership with Ferguson has given school districts the opportunity to build skilled trades labs that enable their students to thrive. It’s so encouraging to see students discover the trades, develop a passion for them and know that those skill sets will benefit them in careers after high school graduation.”
“We are proud to partner with Explore The Trades and thrilled to see our shared vision of building a sustainable skilled trades pipeline come to life,” commented Melissa Hazelwood, Director of Social Impact at Ferguson. “With the recent surge of interest in trades careers and the substantial investments in our country’s infrastructure, the need for skilled tradespeople has never bee more apparent. Through our concerted efforts, we are not just providing students with tools; we are laying the foundation for lifelong careers. Our partnership has already impacted thousands of students, and we are excited to continue this journey. We are committed to investing in the next generation.”
Congratulations to the following recipients!
- Appomattox County High School – HVAC (Virginia)
- Bemidji High School – HVAC (Minnesota)
- Callaway High School – HVAC (Georgia)
- Gateway Regional – HVAC (New Jersey)
- Ivy Academy – HVAC (Tennessee)
- Lebanon County Career and Technology Center – Plumbing (Pennsylvania)
- Mayfair Elementary and Middle School – Plumbing (Pennsylvania)
- Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center – HVAC (Missouri)
- Raymore-Peculiar Public School Foundation – HVAC (Missouri)
- Saginaw Career Complex – HVAC (Michigan)
- Thomas J. Corcoran High School – HVAC (New York)
- Woodruff Career and Technical Center – HVAC (Illinois)
About Explore The Trades
Founded in 2005, Explore The Trades is committed to bridging the technical talent gap to the service trades of plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical. The organization is focused on bringing the skilled trades conversation back into the classroom by providing classroom materials and on-demand resources for educators, parents, and students.
The Brooklyn home service company says that jobs in their industry are in abundance and compensation is good Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning, a family-owned home service company serving Brooklyn and Manhattan since 1906, is celebrating National Skilled Trades Day on May 3 by encouraging young people to consider the home service, manufacturing and Read more
The Brooklyn home service company says that jobs in their industry are in abundance and compensation is good
Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning, a family-owned home service company serving Brooklyn and Manhattan since 1906, is celebrating National Skilled Trades Day on May 3 by encouraging young people to consider the home service, manufacturing and construction industries as a career choice.
“For years, we’ve told students that they need to go to college if they want to have an exciting and well-paid career, and that’s not always true,” said Michael Petri, owner of Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning. “But the truth is that college isn’t for everyone. Some people simply want to go into a profession where they can start earning money, find steady work and good pay without having to put themselves in debt to get a degree. And, now, with Baby Boomers retiring in record numbers, there are more jobs opening in the skilled trades industry than can be filled.”
According to a State of Home Services study, 52% of home service recruiters have had difficulty hiring compared to 30% of recruiters in other professions.
Petri said that the industry needs to recruit more at the middle and high school levels to let teenagers know that they can attend trade school after high school for much less than the cost of a typical four-year college.
“Trade school is usually less expensive, and you can start earning money in a shorter amount of time than you can by graduating from a typical university,” he said. “And, on top of that, most skilled trades workers earn more at their first jobs than college graduates. Sending your kids to trade school can result in less student debt and higher earnings.”
Petri said that parents, educators and government officials should push to introduce more young people to the skilled trades industry.
“Whether it’s working in the HVAC or plumbing industries, building homes or cutting hair, these are jobs that can’t be outsourced,” he said. “These are the people we call to fix our homes, our cars and our appliances. These are the industries that hold our country together, and we should encourage more people to enter their ranks.”
For more information about Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning, visit https://www.petriplumbing.com/.