There’s a lot of great work going on at Explore The Trades (ETT) this summer! The outstanding ETT team is always focused on bridging the gap between today’s youth and a bright future in skilled trades.
Back-to-school season seemed like the perfect time to catch up with CEO Kate Cinnamo to learn what’s new and hear more about what ETT has been up to. Here’s how Explore The Trades is building momentum toward thriving careers in the plumbing, HVAC and electrical industries:
Q: It’s been a busy summer for the Explore The Trades team. How are you all doing?
A: It was busy, but it was the best kind of busy. We wouldn’t have wanted it to be any other way.
Q: Some might think that summer would be a slower season for the ETT team, but that’s clearly not the case. What types of outreach initiatives has the team been involved in?
A: Summer is one of our busiest seasons, as we use this time to work with schools across the country. Since we announced our Skills Lab grant recipients in May, the team has been working with each of our 12 schools to purchase plumbing and air conditioning equipment for their students. We expect to have each of our school labs up and running by the end of August for the school year. (I imagine students will be excited to see the shiny new equipment on their first day of school!)
Additionally, our team traveled to the national SkillsUSA and ASCA (American School Counselor Association) conferences. The ASCA event, attended by over 5,000 elementary, middle, and high school counselors from across the country, provided face-to-face time with counselors so we could talk about the importance of craft awareness and education. This was our fourth year at the conference, and without a doubt, it was the most receptive and proactive experience we’ve had to date—the topic of craft is definitely starting to take on a space in education and we’re excited to be a part of it.
Q: We’ve heard positive feedback about SkillsUSA. Is this an annual stop on your trade show tour? If so, why does Explore The Trades maintain a presence there?
A: SkillsUSA is definitely on the tour! For those who aren’t familiar with SkillsUSA, I think the organization is one of the best-kept secrets in technical education and leadership in the country. SkillsUSA provides technical training and leadership skills in over 100 careers to high school students across the country, and it’s a great environment to foster interest in practical careers. Explore The Trades connects with educators, students, and industry vendors during the conference. For PHCE companies recruiting talent, I highly encourage them to reach out to their state and local chapters. Students who participate in SkillsUSA are highly skilled by the time they graduate high school, so leveraging connections with chapters is a great way to recruit.
