Explore The Trades, a nonprofit organization founded in 2005, is bridging the technical talent gap in the skilled trades of HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work by raising awareness of those trades and acting as a partner to both education and industry, with the goal of helping to form the next generation of technicians.

Through Industry Forward, a charitable giving program that helps advance its industry and raise awareness of career opportunities, Bradford White is donating $8,000 to Explore The Trades. the company said in a press release. The contribution will support the creation of 1,000 poster kits that will showcase careers in the trades and will be distributed to educators and counselors across North America.

“Over the past generation, awareness of the skilled trades has nearly become extinct,” said Kate Cinnamo, executive director at Explore The Trades. “Yet many students, parents, and educators lack access to information about the career opportunities in the service trades, manufacturing, and distribution that are vital to our communities. We’re proud to partner with Bradford White to close that information gap. Their support enables us to serve as the conduit between industry and education so we can engage the audiences who are vital to the growth of the trades.”

Bradford White partners with nonprofits and technical schools to educate individuals and families on the importance of the skilled trades and the role that professionals in the trades play in the health, safety, sanitation, and infrastructure of their communities, the company said.

“We are thrilled to partner with Explore The Trades and expand our reach by connecting with students, parents, and educators in an exciting new way,” said Rebecca Owens, senior communications manager at Bradford White. “As more teens and young adults consider the financial impact of attending a four-year college, we will continue to advocate for the option of a stable career in an essential industry. Joining with Explore The Trades to pursue our shared mission helps us reach more individuals that may be interested in the plumbing and HVAC fields than ever before.”

For more information about Bradford White’s Industry Forward initiative, visit https://www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com/giving/.