Trades
30 articles

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 .

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

Trades Adapt to Growing Green Building Market
The green building materials market expanded from $369.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

Digital Transformation of Trades and Services Booms
Walmart will roll out digital price tags across all its US stores by the end of 2026.

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.

What are the types and usage of personal protective equipment in trades?
Byssinosis, a textile sector pneumoconiosis, affects 44.

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 .

Workplace Ergonomics for Tradespersons Injury Prevention
More than a third of surveyed construction workers reported musculoskeletal problems.

Practical Raspberry Pi Projects for Trades & Home
The Raspberry Pi 5 16GB model now costs $145, according to PCBSync .

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 .

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

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 .

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.

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 .

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

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.

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.