Trades

30 articles

Construction worker safely maintaining three points of contact while climbing a ladder, highlighting secure grip and stable footing.
Safety

How to Maintain Three Points of Contact on Ladders Safely

In construction alone, approximately 33% of all fall-related fatalities involve ladders, according to Ecesis .

Ben Foster·September 16, 2026
Young competitors engaged in various skilled trades at the AGC Georgia Skills Challenge, showcasing their expertise and dedication.
Trades

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.

Rick Donovan·September 16, 2026
Split image: skilled tradesperson working hands-on contrasted with a futuristic AI interface displaying job connections and data for the trades industry.
Trades

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

Rick Donovan·September 16, 2026
Cinematic visualization of AI and IoT seamlessly integrated into a modern smart home, showcasing advanced automation and connectivity.
Services

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

Rick Donovan·September 16, 2026
Dignitaries participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for NAIT's new Advanced Skills Centre, a massive $779 million investment in trades education.
Trades

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.

Rick Donovan·September 11, 2026
A split image showing safe commercial electrical wiring contrasted with potentially unsafe residential wiring in a different setting.
Trades

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.

Rick Donovan·September 10, 2026
A close-up view of essential hand tools for an apprentice plumber, including pliers and a wrench, neatly arranged in a toolbox.
Trades

Top 9 Essential Hand Tools for Apprentice Plumbers Starter Kit

A working plumber's basic kit of nine tools handles 90% of residential service calls.

Rick Donovan·September 9, 2026
Empty vocational training workshop with a discouraged instructor, highlighting the gap between training and industry needs for skilled labor.
Trades

Vocational training struggles to tackle skilled labor shortage

The food and beverage manufacturing industry alone faces a projected 65,000 open job vacancies by 2025, according to Institute Smartprosperity Ca .

Rick Donovan·August 30, 2026
Diverse construction workers collaborating on blueprints at a high-rise building site, symbolizing industry growth and high salaries.
Industry

Construction and trades salaries rise in 2026

With 292,000 job openings as of November 2025, the construction industry faces a critical talent shortage, pushing salaries for roles like Project Managers to nearly $200,000.

Rick Donovan·August 27, 2026
Construction workers on an unfinished housing site in the UK, highlighting the skills shortage impacting the completion of new homes.
Trades

UK construction skills shortage threatens government housing targets

In 2023, the UK completed 65,600 fewer homes than its stated target, a deficit largely driven by a construction industry where 78% of firms can't find enough skilled workers.

Rick Donovan·August 24, 2026
A mechanic carefully cleaning and lubricating a power drill, emphasizing the importance of regular maintenance for tool longevity and performance.
How-To

How to Maintain Power Tools for Peak Performance

A dull saw blade, a seemingly minor issue, can cause a power tool's motor to overheat, lose power, or even break entirely.

Scott Ramirez·August 12, 2026
Construction workers installing sustainable materials on a modern, eco-friendly building site, showcasing the growth of the green building market.
Industry

Trades Adapt to Growing Green Building Market

The green building materials market expanded from $369.

Rick Donovan·August 8, 2026
Close-up of a tradesperson's hands using an advanced power tool on a busy construction job site with dramatic lighting.
Tools & Equipment

Top 8 Innovative Tools Redefining the Trades Job Site

The latest Milwaukee Gen 4 Hammer Drill boasts a maximum torque of 1400 in-lbs, an increase of 200 in-lbs from its predecessor, demonstrating a relentless pursuit of raw power in new tools.

Kyle Brenner·August 6, 2026
A tradesperson using a futuristic tablet on a construction site, with holographic AI financial data overlaid, symbolizing the surge in AI-powered equipment finance.
Industry

AI Integration in Equipment Finance for Trades Surges Despite Adoption Hurdles

New AI-powered platforms enable tradespeople to secure equipment financing in under 24 hours, a process that traditionally took weeks, according to Fintech Today.

Ben Foster·August 5, 2026
Futuristic plumbing system with smart sensors and holographic display, highlighting preventative maintenance and technological advancements in the plumbing industry.
Trades

Top 8 Emerging Technologies Revolutionizing Plumbing

In 2,306 homes, a single smart water shutoff system slashed paid water damage claims by an astonishing 96%, according to Western Rooter .

Rick Donovan·August 5, 2026
Construction workers operating heavy machinery inside a massive, under-construction data center, highlighting the AI infrastructure boom and demand for specialized trades.
Trades

AI infrastructure boom creates specialized construction trades demand

Data center construction recorded a net optimism reading of 57 percent among contractors, even as national nonresidential construction spending slid 1.

Rick Donovan·July 19, 2026
Skilled tradespeople and service professionals utilizing advanced digital technology and smart tools in a modern, efficient workspace.
Industry

Digital Transformation of Trades and Services Booms

Walmart will roll out digital price tags across all its US stores by the end of 2026.

Rick Donovan·July 16, 2026
Skilled tradespeople in full PPE safely operating various power tools on a busy construction site, highlighting teamwork and safety consciousness.
Safety

How to Use Power Tools Safely: PPE and Best Practices

In 2013, the highest percentage of power tool injuries occurred in the 51-60 age group, accounting for 23.

Ben Foster·July 11, 2026
Tradespeople in a construction site wearing various types of personal protective equipment, including hard hats, safety glasses, and gloves, demonstrating workplace safety.
Safety

What are the types and usage of personal protective equipment in trades?

Byssinosis, a textile sector pneumoconiosis, affects 44.

Ben Foster·July 9, 2026
A confident Australian tradesperson working on a construction site, demonstrating the high earning potential of skilled blue-collar professions.
Trades

Blue-collar trades offer six-figure earnings potential in Australia

Skilled tradespeople in Australia can earn over A$120,000 annually, a figure competitive with many white-collar salaries, reports Whalesbook .

Rick Donovan·July 5, 2026
A construction worker demonstrating proper ergonomic posture and technique to prevent musculoskeletal injuries on a job site.
Safety

Workplace Ergonomics for Tradespersons Injury Prevention

More than a third of surveyed construction workers reported musculoskeletal problems.

Ben Foster·June 19, 2026
A tradesperson working on a Raspberry Pi project in a workshop, surrounded by tools and electronic components, highlighting practical DIY applications.
How-To

Practical Raspberry Pi Projects for Trades & Home

The Raspberry Pi 5 16GB model now costs $145, according to PCBSync .

Scott Ramirez·June 18, 2026
Young women in electrotechnology trades, demonstrating skill and confidence on a modern, well-lit construction site, breaking traditional gender barriers.
Industry

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 .

Rick Donovan·June 17, 2026
Tradespersons on a construction site wearing essential safety gear, including hard hats, safety glasses, and gloves, working diligently.
Safety

Top Safety Gear for Tradespersons

Annually, over 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries occur in the US, many affecting trades and often stemming from a momentary lapse in safety gear use ( PMC ). These incidents cost lost productiv

Ben Foster·June 17, 2026
Close-up of a tradesperson carefully cleaning and calibrating a power tool, emphasizing precision and maintenance for optimal performance.
How-To

How to Calibrate and Maintain Power Tools for Peak Performance

A simple daily cleaning routine can prevent 80% of premature power tool failures, according to Crucosupply .

Scott Ramirez·June 9, 2026
A skilled tradesman performing SMAW welding, with a bright arc and flying sparks joining two heavy metal components in a workshop setting.
Trades

SMAW welding: Is it still a tradesman's best bet?

The electric arc in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) can reach temperatures exceeding 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit, an intense heat that instantly melts metal for a weld.

Rick Donovan·June 9, 2026
Construction worker using a Leica Disto D2 laser measure with a visible beam reaching a distant wall on a sunny building site.
Trades

Leica Disto D2 Laser Tape Measure Offers 330-Foot Range

A new Bosch laser tape measure now includes a camera to pinpoint the exact laser spot and record measurements, extending its range to 120 meters, according to Digital Camera World .

Rick Donovan·June 8, 2026
Close-up of a skilled tradesperson carefully calibrating a precision electric screwdriver with specialized equipment in a workshop.
Tools & Equipment

How to Maintain and Calibrate Precision Hand Tools for Trades

A precision electric screwdriver might boast three distinct torque settings, but without proper calibration, its actual output could deviate significantly, leading to stripped screws or loose connecti

Kyle Brenner·June 6, 2026
Tradespeople wearing essential safety gear, including hard hats, safety glasses, and high-visibility vests, on a job site, emphasizing preparedness and protection.
Safety

Essential Safety Gear for Tradespeople

97% of safety equipment manufacturers report higher costs for materials and components, directly impacting the availability of essential gear for tradespeople.

Ben Foster·May 19, 2026
Construction workers safely operating power tools on a busy site, wearing protective gear and maintaining organized workspaces.
Safety

Top 9 Power Tool Safety Practices for Safer Workplaces

Burns, severe shocks, and even heart failure are among the chief hazards of electric-powered tools, yet most power tool accidents are entirely preventable through basic safety measures.

Ben Foster·May 18, 2026