Section

Trades

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

Students training in a large, modern Pima Community College trades lab with new equipment, symbolizing expanded educational opportunities in skilled trades.

Pima Community College opens $1.2M expanded lab April 14, 2026

Pima Community College's Building and Construction Technology program is expanding its lab tenfold, from 2,500 to 25,000 square feet.

Rick Donovan· Apr 15· 4 min
High school students enthusiastically participating in hands-on skilled trades demonstrations at the BC Skills event in Abbotsford.

BC Skills event Abbotsford boosts vocational careers in skilled trades

Last year, over 5,000 students in Abbotsford attended a single event showcasing welding, carpentry, and culinary arts, far exceeding expectations for vocational career interest.

Rick Donovan· Apr 14· 3 min
Lowe's CEO Marvin Ellison's $250 million investment strategy balancing advanced AI technology with the critical need for skilled tradespeople in construction and home improvement.

Lowe's CEO Marvin Ellison bets $250M on AI and human skills

Despite investing in artificial intelligence to boost sales and productivity, Lowe's commits $250 million over the next decade.

Rick Donovan· Apr 13· 3 min
Split image showing a futuristic AI interface and a skilled tradesperson working, symbolizing the balance between technology and human expertise in the modern workforce.

Lowe's $250M for 250K Workers: Valuing Skills Amid AI Growth

Lowe's is committing a quarter of a billion dollars over the next decade to train 250,000 skilled tradespeople.

Rick Donovan· Apr 13· 3 min
Split image showing a robot arm and a skilled tradesperson, symbolizing the contrast between AI and human expertise in the trades.

Lowe's Invests $250M in Skilled Trades Amid AI Limitations

Lowe's is committing a quarter-billion dollars over the next decade to train 250,000 plumbers, carpenters, and electricians.

Rick Donovan· Apr 13· 3 min
Diverse group of workers learning plumbing, carpentry, and electrical skills in a modern training facility, symbolizing Lowe's $250M investment in skilled trades.

Lowe's invests $250M to train 250,000 workers in skilled trades

Over the next decade, Lowe's plans to spend $250 million to train 250,000 skilled tradespeople, a number equivalent to nearly 80% of its current workforce, according to Black Enterprise .

Rick Donovan· Apr 12· 3 min
Split image showing a modern AI data center and skilled tradespeople learning carpentry and plumbing, symbolizing Lowe's investment.

Lowe's Pledges $250 Million for Skilled Trades Training

A Wisconsin town recently restricted AI data centers, while Lowe's is investing $250 million over the next decade to train 250,000 skilled trades professionals.

Rick Donovan· Apr 12· 4 min
Diverse group of people learning skilled trades like carpentry, electrical work, and plumbing in a modern training facility.

Lowe's Foundation Pledges $250M to Train 250K Workers by 2035

By 2035, the Lowe's Foundation plans to train 250,000 skilled trades workers with a $250 million investment, a scale of corporate workforce development rarely seen, according to Entrepreneur .

Rick Donovan· Apr 11· 4 min
Diverse students learning in a modern, well-equipped skilled trades workshop, symbolizing opportunity and the future of craftsmanship.

Lowe's Foundation Pledges $250M for Skilled Trades Technology Education

In Columbus, Georgia, a new TV docuseries sponsored by the Lowe's Foundation spotlights local craftsmen.

Rick Donovan· Apr 10· 3 min
Diverse construction workers on a busy site with Blue Ridge Community College in the background, highlighting a new training initiative.

Blue Ridge Community College offers free construction training to address labor shortages.

Local construction companies in the Blue Ridge region report a 20% increase in project delays due to a critical labor shortage, according to a Local Builders Association Survey.

Scott Ramirez· Apr 10· 3 min
Diverse young adults learning skilled trades like plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work in a modern workshop, symbolizing Lowe's $250 million investment in workforce development.

Lowe's Pledges $250 Million to Combat Skilled Trades Shortage

The Lowe's Foundation is pledging $250 million over the next decade to train plumbers, carpenters, and electricians, a direct response to the critical skilled trades shortage facing the U.S. construction and home improvement industries.

Rick Donovan· Apr 9· 4 min
Skilled tradespeople, including a plumber, electrician, and carpenter, working with tools in a workshop, with a faint AI interface in the background, symbolizing the enduring value of human craftsmanship over AI's physical limits.

Lowe's Invests $250 Million in Skilled Trades, Citing AI's Limits

The Lowe's Foundation is committing $250 million to develop the next generation of skilled trades professionals, a move its CEO says is critical in an era where AI's physical limitations are becoming clear.

Rick Donovan· Apr 8· 4 min
Young Nigerians in Kogi Central learning practical skills like carpentry, tailoring, and digital literacy in a bustling workshop, symbolizing KOSSIPA's empowerment program.

KOSSIPA Launches Skills Acquisition Program in Kogi Central Targeting 2,000

The Kogi State Social Investment Programme Agency (KOSSIPA) has launched a new skills acquisition program in Kogi Central, aiming to train over 2,000 applicants. This initiative seeks to address unemployment and foster self-reliance by providing practical, in-demand skills.

Rick Donovan· Apr 7· 3 min
Diverse skilled trades workers on a bustling construction site in Northwest Indiana, symbolizing the high demand for vocational careers and the region's booming job market.

Northwest Indiana Highlights Trending Skilled Trades Careers Amid Demand

Northwest Indiana faces an 'all-time high' demand for skilled trades workers, particularly in the booming construction market. This report details how vocational education and workforce development initiatives are addressing the labor shortage.

Rick Donovan· Apr 6· 3 min
High school students actively engaged in a modern skilled trades workshop, learning welding, carpentry, and automotive repair, symbolizing new education initiatives.

High Schools Launch New Skilled Trades Education Initiatives

High schools are launching new skilled trades education initiatives across North America, creating direct pathways to careers for students. These programs address a persistent demand for skilled labor, offering hands-on experience and industry-recognized certifications.

Rick Donovan· Apr 4· 3 min
A luxurious, newly renovated bathroom in Bluffton featuring a freestanding tub, walk-in shower, and modern vanity, symbolizing Premiere Builders' expanded remodeling services.

Premiere Builders & Remodeling Expands Bluffton Bathroom Remodeling Services

Premiere Builders & Remodeling has expanded its bathroom remodeling services in Bluffton, citing increased local demand and a focus on maintaining operational standards during its growth.

Rick Donovan· Apr 4· 3 min
Diverse students learning skilled trades in a modern vocational training center, including welding, carpentry, and electrical work, symbolizing investment in future workforce development.

New Investment Targets Skilled Trades Education as Builders Report Skills Crisis

PPG and the PPG Foundation have committed $10 million to advance skilled trades education, addressing a growing skills crisis in the construction sector. This funding aims to build a future pipeline of talent for critical roles.

Scott Ramirez· Apr 2· 3 min
A determined Kaigen Cobb, a Broome-Tioga BOCES student, meticulously working on a commercial roofing project during the SkillsUSA competition, showcasing his skill and focus.

BOCES Student Aims to Defend State SkillsUSA Competition Title

Broome-Tioga BOCES student Kaigen Cobb is preparing to defend his state title at the SkillsUSA competition on April 23, 2026. His previous success has already created tangible opportunities for his peers and highlighted the value of career and technical education.

Rick Donovan· Mar 31· 4 min
Young Kenyan students actively engaged in hands-on vocational training, utilizing modern equipment in a bright, inclusive workshop, symbolizing the success of a private-sector-led TVET model.

Kenya's Inclusive TVET Commitment Advanced by Award-Winning Private-Sector Model

Swisscontact was recently honored for its role in developing a new private-sector-led TVET curriculum in Kenya, a model that has informed a new national training framework.

Rick Donovan· Mar 31· 3 min
High school students in a modern workshop learning carpentry, welding, and electrical trades, symbolizing new initiatives boosting youth training and career pathways.

New Initiatives Boost Youth Training for High School Students in Skilled Trades

New initiatives are launching globally to boost youth training in skilled trades, addressing labor shortages and offering students practical career pathways. These programs include new funding, hands-on projects, and scholarship opportunities.

Rick Donovan· Mar 30· 4 min
Young Ghanaian artisans in Tamale proudly display their new start-up kits, including various tools for skilled trades, symbolizing empowerment and economic opportunity.

GEA and Partners Distribute Start-Up Kits to 481 Tamale Youth

The Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) and Mastercard Foundation have provided start-up kits to 481 young people in Tamale, Ghana. This initiative aims to equip new artisans with essential tools, enabling them to launch their careers and businesses.

Rick Donovan· Mar 30· 4 min
Futuristic plumbing system with smart sensors and holographic display, highlighting preventative maintenance and technological advancements in the plumbing industry.

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· Aug 5· 5 min
Electrician installing a smart thermostat, showcasing smart home technology integration for trades professionals and business growth opportunities.

Top Smart Home Devices for Trades Professionals

A single smart thermostat installation can yield a 40% profit margin for an electrician.

Rick Donovan· May 3· 5 min
Professional carpenter in action with a high-performance cordless impact driver, demonstrating power and precision on a modern construction project.

Top 5 Cordless Impact Drivers for Professional Carpenters

In recent independent tests, the Flex 24V ¼-inch hex impact driver edged out Milwaukee's top model by a tenth of a second in RSS screw tests.

Kyle Brenner· Apr 29· 5 min
Skilled welder in protective gear, sparks flying, demonstrating MIG, TIG, Stick, and Flux-Cored techniques in a dynamic workshop environment.

Comparing 4 Top Welding Techniques: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Best Uses

Choosing the right welding technique is crucial for project success, as each method offers unique strengths and weaknesses. This guide breaks down MIG, TIG, Stick, and Flux-Cored welding to help you select the ideal process for your specific needs.

Rick Donovan· Mar 30· 7 min
Industrial worker performing hot work with safety precautions in place, including fire watch and cleared surroundings, emphasizing controlled sparks and heat.

Hot Work Safety: Risks, Prevention, and Protocols

Hot work—welding, cutting, brazing—is a leading cause of worker death in incidents investigated by the Chemical Safety Board (CSB) .

Rick Donovan· Aug 10· 3 min
Nassau County's historic Freeport Armory undergoing renovation to become a new trade school, symbolizing future workforce development.

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.

Rick Donovan· Aug 7· 2 min
Experienced tradespeople mentoring young apprentices in a workshop, highlighting the importance of guidance in closing the skilled trades gap.

Mentorship Programs are Key to Bridging the Skilled Trades Gap by 2026

Despite a critical shortage of skilled trades workers, 35 percent of middle and high school parents believe vocational programs are only for 'high-achieving' students, revealing a deep-seated percepti

Rick Donovan· Jun 30· 5 min
Diverse skilled trades workers collaborating on a construction site, symbolizing Ontario's economic stability and future growth.

Skilled trades education is key to Ontario's 2026 economic stability.

Ontario's economy is bleeding $24 billion annually due to a critical shortage of skilled trades workers.

Rick Donovan· Jun 22· 6 min
Diverse group of apprentices, including women and people of color, working on a construction site, symbolizing Canada's $6 billion skilled trades initiative.

Canada's $6B Skilled Trades Plan Faces Diversity Gap Despite Growth

Canada has committed an unprecedented $6 billion to recruit 80,000 to 100,000 new skilled trades workers, yet women still comprise only 14% of registered apprentices in 2023.

Rick Donovan· May 3· 5 min