Skilled Trades
30 articles

Walmart opens Atlanta skilled trades training hub
Walmart now offers some internally trained technicians a pay range up to $51 per hour, a significant boost from typical retail wages.

Mentorship Programs are Key to Bridging the Skilled Trades Gap by 2026
Despite a critical shortage of skilled trades workers, 35 percent of middle and high school parents believe vocational programs are only for 'high-achieving' students, revealing a deep-seated percepti

Girls construction camp inspires young women in skilled trades
On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, female high school students at Orange Technical College, West Campus, built planter boxes and wired light switches.

Meta's $115M Academy Fights Skilled Trades Gap With New Training
In just seven days, Meta's Level-Up fiber installation training program received 35,000 applications.

Texas Gov. Abbott Boosts Skilled Trades Training for High-Demand Jobs
Governor Greg Abbott has directed four Texas state agencies to immediately overhaul workforce development programs.

Women in Skilled Trades Face Stalled Leadership, Despite Gains
In 2024, tradeswomen in construction and extraction occupations reached 366,360, the highest percentage since 2015, according to Manufacturers Alliance .

Nvidia CEO: AI boom needs 130,000 more electricians
The United States needs 130,000 more trained electricians by 2030, just to keep pace with AI infrastructure expansion.

Skilled trades education is key to Ontario's 2026 economic stability.
Ontario's economy is bleeding $24 billion annually due to a critical shortage of skilled trades workers.

India's CEA Urges Students Toward Skilled Trades Over MBAs
India's Chief Economic Adviser V.

Cummins Expands Diesel Program Partnership with TSTC
Select students entering Texas State Technical College's Diesel Equipment program may now receive an employment guarantee from Cummins distributors before their training even begins, according to Uti

AI Boosts Skilled Trades, Threatens White-Collar Tech Jobs
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff announced in September 2025 that AI advancements eliminated 4,000 customer support roles, according to LockedInAI .

AI threatens skilled trades' entry-level jobs, creating a future talent crisis.
Meta launched a $115 million training program for AI infrastructure jobs, offering free, five-week courses with guaranteed employment for graduates, according to Memeburn .

AI won't replace skilled trades; white-collar jobs are at risk.
Headlines warn of AI replacing factory workers, but a recent report found human lawyers now spend 70% less time reviewing contracts at major firms, thanks to AI.

AI Won't Replace Skilled Trades: Demand Soars as Training Lags
Meta is pouring $115 million into a roughly five-week program that guarantees graduates a job in skilled trades, a stark contrast to the uncertain job market facing many four-year degree holders, acco

India emphasizes skilled trades as tech sector shifts
In Bengaluru, a city synonymous with India's tech boom, a certified plumber now earns more than a junior software developer—a stark reversal from a decade ago.

India's skilled trades outpace MBAs in AI era
Demand for robotics technicians in India has skyrocketed by over 500% in just four years, far outpacing the growth and salary increases seen in many entry-level white-collar jobs.

Female electrotechnology students enter trades despite underrepresentation
Electrician Amy Barratt-Singh couldn't ask for basic welfare facilities on her first job site, intimidated by the environment, according to idealind .

Healthcare Industry Trends 2026: Skilled Trades Face Shortage
A major Ohio hospital delayed a new surgical wing's opening by six months.

India's economic future sees skilled trades outpace white-collar jobs
In India, average blue-collar salaries are now growing at 5.

Meta's New Academy Trains for Data Center Tech Jobs
In 2026, Meta is committing $115 million to provide free training, including tuition, housing, and a daily stipend, for a five-week program with a guaranteed job upon completion, according to...

Google invests $50 million in skilled trades training programs
Google, known for search and AI, has pledged $50 million to train over 300,000 plumbers, electricians, and construction workers across 20 states.

CPUT graduate picks carpentry business over teaching career
Phaphama Ngalimani, a Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) graduate, now earns in one week from his carpentry business what he previously made in three months as a contract teacher, accordin

Apprenticeships Surge Past Traditional Training, But Equity Gaps Remain
In 2024, over 560 candidates applied for just 27 spots in the prestigious Rolex apprenticeship program, resulting in a staggering 4.

Skilled Trades Face Record Shortage Amidst Industry Upheaval
The US economy currently loses an estimated $1 trillion annually due to delayed work and rising costs from a severe shortage of skilled trades workers.

Alabama Building Futures: $2,000 for Aviation, Construction
Only 50 Alabama residents will receive a $2,000 scholarship for aviation or construction careers through a new state program.

Gen Z Favors Trades Over College Amidst Economic Shifts
In spring 2026, enrollment in undergraduate certificate programs, commonly offered by trade schools, surged by 10.

High school construction programs build future skilled workforce
At L'Anse Creuse High School, students scan QR codes on an 'apprenticeship wall' to instantly apply for local construction jobs, bypassing traditional college applications.

What is Skilled Trades Ergonomics and Why Does it Prevent MSDs?
More than 90% of construction firms in a recent survey had a written safety program, yet the majority lacked trade-specific ergonomic interventions, leaving over 11,000 workers vulnerable to preventab

Labor Dept. Awards $30M for Skilled Trades Education Apprenticeship Programs
The U.S. Department of Labor is injecting $30 million into skilled trades training programs. BlackRock simultaneously launched a $25 million initiative. This marks a combined $55 million surge in publ

Skilled trades education is key to workforce development.
Skilled trades education is vital for workforce development, with significant public and private investment driving training initiatives to address critical shortages.