Trades
News and information for skilled trades like carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC.

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 .

Lowe's Foundation Grants $1M to Houston Community College for Skilled Trades
Houston Community College secured a $1 million grant from the Lowe's Foundation, part of nearly $8 million distributed to 10 community and technical colleges.

Lowe's Foundation adds $8M to skilled trades training grants
In a single announcement, Lowe's Foundation just committed nearly $8 million to train the next generation of electricians, plumbers, and carpenters, bringing its total investment in skilled trades edu

Young people drive surge in CSCS card applications
Nearly one in five new CSCS Alliance cards, essential for UK site access, went to under-25s in 2025.

Canada Launches $6B Program Addressing Skilled Trades Shortage
Canada's federal government just pledged up to $6 billion for a 'Team Canada Strong' program, aiming to train 100,000 new skilled trades workers by 2030-31.

Gen Z eyes skilled trades: 55% consider careers for high pay
Logan Bangert, a Gen Z worker, earns $80,000 to $90,000 a year repairing wind turbine blades, a salary many college graduates struggle to achieve, according to 아시아경제 .

New construction trades training programs launch for adults and high schoolers
Lincoln Tech is investing $10 million into a new 36,000-square-foot training center in Maryland, signaling a significant expansion of construction trades training programs for adults.

Natchez Building Trades Program Strengthens Workforce for Growth
Since July 2020, Natchez has seen over 400 new businesses open or expand, creating close to 1400 new jobs.

Indian immigrants find trades pay well, rivaling engineering
An Indian man in Australia shared that plumbers there earn more respect than engineers do in India.

NTI Accelerates Skilled Trades Training to Combat Shrinking Labor Workforce
In Texas, up to 78% of contractors struggle to fill specialized trade positions, according to HVACInsider .

Hidden risks in cold climate in-line exhaust fan installation
Mold grew on the rafters of a cold-climate home, even after the homeowner blocked soffit vents.

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.

Skanska Lands $325M Cincinnati Marriott Hotel Construction Contract
Skanska recently secured a $325 million contract from Portman Holdings to build a 21-story Marriott hotel in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.

Granite secures contract for Utah highway extension project
Granite Construction has secured nearly a quarter-billion dollars in Utah Department of Transportation contracts in recent months.

Balfour Beatty appoints Ed Egerton as new Chief Legal and Commercial Officer
Effective this September, Balfour Beatty will place its entire commercial, legal, procurement, and company secretariat functions under the leadership of a single new officer, Ed Egerton.

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.

DOE's $17M clean energy funding amid $23B cuts
While the Department of Energy (DOE) just announced $17 million in new clean energy funding, it recently jeopardized or terminated nearly $23 billion in existing awards.

Gen Z professionals prioritize steady growth over quick promotions
A striking 74% of younger workers now report using AI in their daily jobs, a sharp increase from just last year, fundamentally shifting how they approach productivity and career development.

Chicago City Council Approves $19M Greyhound Station Purchase
Chicago's City Council approved a $19.

Find the Best Solar Pool Heaters for Your Backyard in 2026
The Smart Pool S601 Sun Heater, a single 80-square-foot polypropylene panel, can elevate pool temperatures by a significant 10 degrees Fahrenheit, according to BobVila .

Transport Canada Consults on Whether LED Headlights Are Too Bright
Headlight dazzle contributed to 216 collisions in 2023, a stark number prompting Transport Canada to launch a national consultation on vehicle headlight glare.

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.

Spray-on bedliners lead truck bed protection market growth
The truck bedliners market is projected to surge from USD 729.

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

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 .

Ignition-X Unveils New Electrical Device for Powersports Vehicles
A tiny electrical device, no larger than a deck of cards, promises to make traditional vehicle starter motors and lead-acid batteries obsolete.

Aldridge Construction finishes Salinas Family home renovation while occupied
For months in 2026, the Salinas family navigated a multi-room renovation in their own home, a feat of logistical coordination by Aldridge Construction that allowed them to stay put.

Steel City Tunnel Partners secures $1 billion Ohio River Tunnel contract
A $1 billion contract has just been awarded to construct nearly five miles of deep tunnels beneath the Ohio River, marking one of the largest infrastructure investments in the region's history.

Bechtel lands $4.69 billion Sabine Pass LNG expansion contract
Bechtel just secured a $4.69 billion contract to expand a single U.S. liquefied natural gas facility.

Contech startups secure major funding as VC investment evolves
In 2024, venture capitalists closed 325 deals in construction technology, marking a 38% jump from the previous year.