Rick Donovan
Editorial byline
Rick Donovan is an editorial byline for AllTradesJournal, with a focus on Trades, Industry Practices, Construction Tech. Biographical credentials and external profiles are published only after verification.
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Coverage Areas
Latest Articles
Google.org Grant Boosts HBI's Skilled Trades Training for Veterans
The Home Builders Institute (HBI) has received a grant from Google.org to significantly expand its skilled trades training programs for transitioning military service members, veterans, military spouses, and their families. This funding will enhance HBI's existing program, increasing training capacity and job placement support to help military-connected individuals transition into civilian careers.
Sep 25, 2026 · 2 min read
Young workers increasingly choose skilled trades
Enrollment in vocational-focused community colleges recently surged by 16%, according to The Advocate , signaling a significant shift in post-high school aspirations among young workers.
Sep 20, 2026 · 3 min read
German machine tool orders surge globally, but domestic production shrinks
In the first half of 2026, incoming orders for German machine tools surged by 14%, even as domestic production plummeted by 7%.
Sep 20, 2026 · 10 min read
Archer City Approves 2026 Budget, Eliminates Cleaning Services
Archer City's tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 eliminates public cleaning services and reduces staff by 1.
Sep 19, 2026 · 4 min read
US Expands Skilled Trades Training Programs Amidst Growing Demand
Wages in the skilled trades have surged by 30% since 2022, signaling a dramatic shift in the value and appeal of hands-on careers.
Sep 19, 2026 · 4 min read
SC Coastal Pools: Unpredictable Pricing and Service Terms
Despite the promise of hassle-free pool maintenance, customers signing up with SC Coastal Pools could see their final bill fluctuate significantly based on 'actual pool condition' or face immediate se
Sep 18, 2026 · 3 min read
Southern Nevada Tools for Trades drive boosts skilled labor support
In 2025, the Southern Nevada Tools for Trades drive collected nearly 1,000 tools and $800, directly equipping future construction and skilled trades professionals.
Sep 18, 2026 · 4 min read
Piraeus municipality adds new vehicles to its cleaning fleet
Piraeus municipality just unveiled a massive new cleaning fleet, including 70 garbage collection trucks and 34 street-sweeping vehicles, purchased entirely with its own revenues, according to Ekathime
Sep 17, 2026 · 3 min read
US construction firms grapple with demand for skilled trades workers
Construction firms across the U.
Sep 17, 2026 · 3 min read
AGC Georgia Skills Challenge Rome Set for Oct. 22, 2026
The next AGC Georgia Skills Challenge is set for October 22, 2026, at The Forum River Center.
Sep 16, 2026 · 2 min read
AI hiring platforms are already connecting tradespeople, but the real work starts now.
A plumber in rural Ohio, whose hands are calloused from years of pipefitting, now finds his next job not through a local network, but through an AI algorithm that matched him with a client 200 miles a
Sep 16, 2026 · 4 min read
AI IoT Smart Home Integration Reshapes Trades: Expert Predictions
A new 'Smart Home Integrator' job role has seen a 200% increase in listings over the past three years, outpacing growth in traditional trades like plumbing and electrical work, according to LinkedIn J
Sep 16, 2026 · 4 min read
How Hydraulic Systems Principles Boost Heavy Machinery Operation and Maintenance
Enerpac hydraulic tools, commonly used in heavy machinery, are often rated to an astonishing 10,000 psi (700 bar), showcasing their immense force.
Sep 15, 2026 · 3 min read
TIG vs. MIG Welding: Choosing the Right Technique
Angles above 45-degrees when holding a TIG torch can cause a loss of shielding gas coverage, revealing the extreme precision required for this advanced welding technique, according to ScienceDirect .
Sep 13, 2026 · 3 min read
High Costs and Challenges of AI Integration in Manufacturing
Implementing a single AI project for production optimization can cost a manufacturer up to $700,000, with nearly half of that budget dedicated solely to integrating existing operational and IT...
Sep 13, 2026 · 8 min read
Top 8 Strategies for Small Service Businesses to Attract Local Customers
A staggering 76% of consumers searching for a local business on their smartphone visit a physical store within 24 hours, proving the immediate power of local digital presence, according to Stamina .
Sep 13, 2026 · 6 min read
Government Invests Millions in Construction Apprenticeship Programs
California alone is investing $25 million in grants for skilled trades, funding 88 apprenticeship programs set to train 22,208 workers, according to gov.
Sep 12, 2026 · 3 min read
Small Businesses See Faster Employee Growth After Adopting AI
In a surprising twist, very small businesses that embrace AI are expanding their employee ranks faster than those that do not, defying expectations that AI is solely a big-company game.
Sep 12, 2026 · 3 min read
NAIT breaks ground on $779M Advanced Skills Centre for trades
At a cost of $779 million, NAIT's new Advanced Skills Centre is the largest capital project in the institution's history, set to expand trades education capacity by 5,500 students.
Sep 11, 2026 · 3 min read
What Are Residential and Commercial Electrical Wiring Types?
Many homeowners are unaware that the common Romex wiring found in their homes is strictly prohibited in residential buildings over three stories or in any commercial construction.
Sep 10, 2026 · 4 min read