Trades
News and information for skilled trades like carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC.
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.
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.
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.
The Modular Construction Shift: Reshaping Skilled Trades Amidst Labor Shortages
Factories equipped with automated welding and robotic material handling can achieve the output of 10-15 field crews with fewer errors, according to Mordor Intelligence .
Building Futures Coalition Tackles U.S. Skilled Trades Shortfall
The U.S. faces a projected shortfall of 2.1 million skilled trade workers by 2030, a gap so vast it could cost the economy $1 trillion annually, according to ESG Dive . This deficit threatens essentia
Tamil Nadu Doubles Gig Worker Accident Cover to ₹10 Lakh
Registered gig workers in Tamil Nadu can now claim ₹10 lakh in accident insurance, a doubling of previous coverage, signaling a major state-led push for worker welfare.
Grants Fuel Trades Education, Drawing Next-Gen Workers
Graduates from Pennsylvania College of Technology's trades programs boast a 98% job placement rate and earn 36% more than the national average for federal aid recipients, according to the college.
Youth vocational training tackles skilled trades shortage
At just 20, Charles Goede from Waterford, Connecticut, is a three-year apprentice plumber with Local 777.
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 .
unCommon Construction teaches youth trade and life skills
High school students in New Orleans earn school credit for building houses and get their paychecks matched 50 cents on the dollar for future education.
Michigan's 2026 Skilled Trades Training Faces Growing Gap
Michigan is projected to face a staggering gap of 265,000 skilled trades workers by 2030, even as new training initiatives launch across the state.
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.
Singapore's aging skilled trades struggle to attract young talent
In Singapore, the median age of a craftsman hit 56, according to Straitstimes .
Ontario invests $2.6M in Mohawk College for skilled trades training
In Hamilton, over $2.
Essex Tech Secures $499,999 State Grant
Essex Tech recently secured $499,999 in state grants, adding to its more than $5.
Tradeswomen Surge: Women Reshaping Construction & Skilled Trades
The number of tradeswomen in construction and extraction occupations surged by 77.
South Korea Aims for 20th WorldSkills Title in Shanghai
Park Min-hyeok, a 21-year-old cloud computing competitor for South Korea, trains up to 14 hours a day in pursuit of a gold medal at the upcoming WorldSkills Shanghai Competition.
Victoria ISD's CTE program builds skilled trades pipeline
During the 2025-26 school year, Victoria ISD students earned 1,184 industry-based certifications, establishing a robust pipeline for skilled trades.
Metallica's foundation invests millions in skilled trades training
In its eighth year, Metallica's All Within My Hands Foundation is investing over $3.
Nvidia CEO: AI boom creates six-figure jobs for skilled trades
Jacob Palmer, an electrician, grossed nearly $90,000 in 2024 and is projected to hit six figures in 2025, according to fortune.
Youth Apprenticeships Offer Paid Experience in Skilled Trades
In Nashville, youth as young as 14 can earn $12/hour through paid work experience programs in skilled trades, marking a significant development for early career entry.
Lowe's Foundation Grants $1 Million to Houston Community College
The Lowe's Foundation just awarded nearly $8 million in grants to 10 community and technical colleges, including a $1 million grant to Houston Community College.
AI and robotics won't eliminate skilled trades jobs in 2026.
Demand for robotics technicians has jumped 107% since late 2022, signaling a profound shift in the skilled trades sector.
Ontario, federal programs offer business, worker support
While a new Ontario program aims to place 250 people from underrepresented groups into skilled trades, the province's existing Employment Ontario services already supported over 693,000 Ontarians in t
Mentorship Programs Crucial for Canada's Retiring Tradespeople
By the end of this decade, Canada alone projects 700,000 skilled trades workers will retire, creating a massive void that current training pipelines are struggling to fill.
Ontario invests $2.1M in new tech for forest sector innovation
Ontario is pouring over $2.
Delaware County Community College seeks skilled trades instructors
Delaware County Community College is pushing to bolster its skilled trades programs across four key locations, calling for instructors with a decade or more in their craft and availability for both da
Organizations Expand Trades Training to Meet Skilled Labor Demand
Since 2018, The Home Depot Foundation's partnerships alone have certified over 70,000 participants in skilled trades, highlighting a massive, accelerating push to fill critical labor gaps.
Michigan's economic boom fuels urgent demand for skilled trades
New members joining Iron Workers Local 25 start with a $57 an hour package, including upward mobility and guaranteed pensions, according to The Detroit News .
County Grant Funds Freeport Armory Conversion to Trade School
Nassau County has awarded a $300,000 grant to Freeport, initiating the transformation of its historic armory into a new trade school.