Skilled Trades
30 articles
NEFBA apprenticeship program shows strong success
In 2023, every graduate from the NEFBA apprenticeship program attained NCCER industry credentials, according to www-bths.
What are ergonomics principles for skilled trades and why do they matter?
In 1996, over 647,000 American workers suffered serious injuries from overexertion or repetitive motion.
AI in Skilled Trades: Navigating Ethical Frontiers
A master electrician in rural Iowa now uses an AI-powered diagnostic tool that identifies complex wiring faults in minutes, a task that once took hours of specialized human expertise and multiple site
Future Builders Offers Free Skilled Trades Training for Middle Schoolers
Springfield's new 'Future Builders' initiative launched last week, offering free after-school training in plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC to students aged 11-14.
AI's Data Center Boom Sparks Urgent Need for Skilled Trades
At a new hyperscale data center in rural Ohio, project managers offer six-figure salaries and signing bonuses for electricians and HVAC technicians.
Saginaw Career Complex receives $2.5M grant for auto collision training
The Saginaw Career Complex, whose auto collision program relied on equipment from the 1990s, just secured a $2.5 million federal grant, the largest in its 30-year history, according to the SCC Director.
NICC carpentry and electrician students finish Calmar project home
A 2,000-square-foot, single-family residence in Calmar now stands as a testament to the practical skills gained by students from Northeast Iowa Community College's carpentry and electrician programs,
Self-Paced E-Learning Accelerates Skilled Trades Training for 2026
On May 11, 2026, Amicus O&M Cooperative launched a 30-hour online program to rapidly certify solar PV and BESS O&M technicians, reports IndexBox .
Vocational training: A direct path to close the skills gap
A short certificate course at a trade school can cost as little as $3,900, according to skillcatapp .
PPE for skilled trades in 2026: Availability challenges
In response to tariffs, 60% of International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) members have already delayed product development or launch plans, directly impacting the availability of essential type
Vocational Training Struggles with Tech Amidst Skills Chasm
By 2030, 2.1 million skilled trade jobs are projected to remain unfilled, a deficit that could cost the economy $1 trillion annually, even as AI and robots begin to reshape these very roles. This stag
Adelaide Careers Expo Showcases Skilled Trades Vocational Training
At the Adelaide Careers and Employment Expo, students aren't just browsing brochures.
Young people flock to skilled trades careers, boosting student engagement initiatives
Last year, enrollment in vocational-focused community colleges surged by 16%, reaching its highest level since 2018, signaling a powerful shift in student career aspirations.
AI Redefines Skilled Trades: Jobs Persist, Expertise Erodes
While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 5% growth for electricians and a 7% growth for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters from 2022 to 2032, AI-powered predictive maintenance systems
Trade schools and career expos boost skilled trades education in 2026
Nearly 1,300 high school students in Milwaukee recently spent a day trying their hands at welding, bricklaying, and electrical work, a clear sign of how the next generation views skilled trades, accor
Students flock to 2026 skilled trades expo, exploring diverse career paths.
In Milwaukee, nearly 1,300 high school students recently converged at the Building Advantage Career Fair, a significant jump from 900 attendees just a year prior.
Skilled Trades Training Initiatives Undermined by Retention
Some 2.1 million skilled trade jobs are expected to go unfilled by 2030, potentially resulting in $1 trillion in annual economic losses, according to Facilities Dive . This severe and growing deficit
BlackRock launches $100 million initiative for skilled trades training
BlackRock, a financial giant known for its investment prowess, has committed $100 million to train up to 50,000 skilled craft workers, marking a significant philanthropic pivot into vocational educati
3 Innovative Hand Tools That Boost Skilled Trades Performance
Malco's Andy Aluminum Handled Offset Left Snips now cut up to 60% faster and make 45% longer cuts with one hand, fundamentally changing how tradespeople approach sheet metal work.
State Leaders Champion Skilled Trades for Youth Vocational Training
In Michigan, a record 55,431 students completed Career and Technical Education programs in the 2024-25 school year, more than double the number from just a decade prior, according to Bridge Michigan .
Siemens Foundation Aims for 25,000 NC Skilled Workers, Boosting Access
The Siemens Foundation is investing $9.25 million to launch Careers Electric™ in North Carolina, aiming to train 25,000 people for energy and infrastructure jobs within a decade.
Skilled Trades Surge as Tech Giants Expand Apprenticeships Amid Labor Shortage
In some North American markets, building data centers for tech giants now accounts for up to 50% of total work hours for union construction members, according to the Construction Owners Club .
What is personal protective equipment for skilled trades safety?
In 2012 alone, 1,020 workers died from head injuries in the workplace, even though most such incidents are preventable with proper safety gear.
Apprenticeships Surge: Vocational Training Tackles Skilled Trades Labor Shortage
In 2023, Southern Home Services hired Matt Ellenberg to enhance training.
Hands-on apprenticeships pay more than you think
The average starting salary after completing an apprenticeship program is a surprising $77,000, offering a direct path to financial stability without college debt.
Michigan skilled trades programs show widening access disparities
A state audit found 70% of new skilled trades equipment funding went to districts with higher property tax revenues, benefiting wealthier suburban schools, according to the State Auditor General's Off
Michigan skilled trades programs are not equitable, new report finds.
In Michigan, where skilled trades jobs are projected to grow by 13% over the next decade, only 18% of current apprenticeships are held by individuals from underrepresented minority groups.
South Africa Opens New TVET Campus for Skilled Trades
In Mpumalanga Province, the new Gert Sibande TVET College 4IR LAB is now open, directly linking South African youth to future-ready technical skills crucial for the digital economy.
Lowe's Foundation invests $250M in skilled trades training
Lowe's Foundation is investing $250 million over the next decade to train 250,000 skilled trade workers.
AI in Skilled Trades: Ethical Oversight for Job Displacement
In a pilot program, an AI-powered robotic arm recently completed a complex welding sequence on a commercial aircraft fuselage 30% faster and with 15% fewer defects than the most experienced human tech