Ferguson announces a new partnership with Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE) to introduce the next generation of builders, plumbers and technicians to careers in the skilled trades. To help students kickstart their career journeys, Ferguson is donating $100,000 to help fund 62 hands-on summer camps across the U.S. and Canada, giving thousands of young people the training, mentorship and professional tools they need to get a head start on their future.

 

“What started as a simple idea to open doors for young people has grown into something much bigger,” said Melissa Hazelwood, director of social impact for Ferguson. “HMSE gives young people the opportunity to work with their hands, build their confidence and really see themselves in a career in the trades. It’s about connecting them to real-world experiences, job sites and industry professionals. It really is an extraordinary experience.”

“Ferguson’s partnership helps HMSE give students something many have never had before: the chance to see the skilled trades up close, work with their hands and imagine a future in an industry ready to welcome them,” shared Ellen Young, executive director for Heavy Metal Summer Experience. “HMSE began by serving 28 students in 2021 and has grown to serve more than 1,000 students in 2026 alone, reflecting an industry-wide commitment, strengthened by philanthropic partners like Ferguson and by the response from students, parents, and trades professionals eager to mentor the next generation. We are grateful to Ferguson for investing in these moments of discovery and confidence that can change the direction of a young person’s life.”

 

HMSE is an immersive, hands-on summer camp program designed to introduce youth (ages 15–20) to high-paying careers in the skilled trades, specifically in the sheet metal, piping, plumbing and electrical industries — bridging the gap between high school and a lucrative, long-term career.

 

— Immersive, on-site training is delivered through up to 40 hours of project-based training hosted directly inside local employer-contractor facilities and training centers.

 

— Campers tackle real construction projects, fabricating sheet metal toolboxes, building copper pipe lamps and wiring DIY air conditioning units under the mentorship of professional tradespeople.

 

— Direct career pathways are built by HMSE staff, board and volunteer instructors facilitating introductions to pre-apprenticeship programs, registered apprenticeships and employer partners.

Ferguson's commitment to the skilled trades pipeline

Through education, community initiatives and partnerships such as the one with HMSE, Ferguson is actively working toward its goal of connecting 50,000 young people to the skilled trades by 2030. 

 

“We’re certainly proud of our partnership with HMSE, along with others like the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, Explore the Trades and Tools & Tiaras, all contributing to our goal of connecting 50,000 youth to the skilled trades,” said Hazelwood. “By investing in programs that meet young people where they are, we’re helping them get real exposure to careers in the skilled trades and see what’s possible. Our focus is on building a strong, sustainable skilled trades pipeline so the next generation is ready to step in and keep our communities running.”

 

Through this ongoing commitment, Ferguson and HMSE are working to ensure that a new generation of skilled professionals is ready and equipped to build and maintain the communities of tomorrow.