Trades
News and information for skilled trades like carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC.
India's skilled trades outpace MBAs in AI era
Demand for robotics technicians in India has skyrocketed by over 500% in just four years, far outpacing the growth and salary increases seen in many entry-level white-collar jobs.
Solid Deck Stains: Expert Tests & Performance Review
The worst wood stain in Consumer Reports' ratings scores an abysmal 4 out of 100.
Buying a house with a deck: Key considerations for buyers
A deck can look pristine, yet hide critical issues: corroded fasteners, loose ledger boards, or sagging framing.
Backyard Additions: Balancing Luxury and Wildlife Lifeline
While building a new deck can cost up to $20,000, a simple, shallow dish of water in a shady spot can be a lifeline for a hedgehog struggling in summer heat.
Google invests $50 million in skilled trades training programs
Google, known for search and AI, has pledged $50 million to train over 300,000 plumbers, electricians, and construction workers across 20 states.
Meta Launches Academy to Train Data Center Construction Workers
Meta is investing $115 million to launch a five-week workforce academy.
Chicago Bears advance stadium project in Hammond, Indiana
The Chicago Bears' board of directors has voted to advance a stadium project in Hammond, Indiana, despite finalizing a $197 million land deal in Arlington Heights just last year.
Minneapolis data centers boom amid broader industrial slowdown
Construction activity in the greater Twin Cities area declined this spring.
CPUT graduate picks carpentry business over teaching career
Phaphama Ngalimani, a Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) graduate, now earns in one week from his carpentry business what he previously made in three months as a contract teacher, accordin
Alabama Building Futures: $2,000 for Aviation, Construction
Only 50 Alabama residents will receive a $2,000 scholarship for aviation or construction careers through a new state program.
NASA Awards 7 Contracts for Johnson Space Center Upgrades
NASA awarded seven companies contracts totaling up to $300 million for upgrades at its Johnson Space Center.
Fiji vocational training: Graduates face job mismatch
Despite over 69,000 learners graduating from Fiji National University's TVET programs between 2019 and 2023, Fiji's youth unemployment hit 15.
Freezing Offers Critical First Step in Archival Preservation
Leaving water-soaked archival materials for just 48 hours in temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit can almost certainly lead to heavy mold growth, making costly restoration nearly impossible.
Mastering Simple Finish Carpentry Rules for 2026 Projects
Custom trim can provide around 70 percent of its cost back when selling a home, making thoughtful carpentry a powerful investment.
How to Choose the Best Exterior Doors for Modern Homes
As interest rates climb, home renovation is now the top choice for homeowners seeking to improve their living spaces without moving, according to Masonite .
US DOT Invests $466 Million in Washington Union Station Renovation
A $466 million federal investment was announced for Washington Union Station, a sum poised to kickstart immediate improvements for the historic D.
Waterdrop M6H Review: Instant Hot RO System Delivers Purity
For $359, the Waterdrop M6H promises instant hot, purified water directly from your countertop.
Give Dad the Best Backyard Upgrades for Father's Day
A super-premium hibachi grill, crafted from heavy-gauge steel and weighing 18 pounds, now sits alongside powerful electric water guns as a top Father's Day backyard upgrade.
House Bill Proposes Amtrak Funding Cuts, Threatening Service
A House appropriations subcommittee proposes significant cuts to Amtrak's funding for fiscal year 2027.
Illinois Begins $164 Million Project to Replace I-80 Bridges
Illinois has just broken ground on the final phase of a $1.
GISI Consulting Group plans to hire 1,000 by 2026 using AI
GISI Consulting Group plans to hire 1,000 new project managers and leaders by the end of 2026, even as it aims to equip all 10,000 employees with AI tools, according to Construction Dive .
Trump's Team Scraps Biden's Landmark AI Order Amid Policy Shift
Donald Trump's team quietly called off a landmark Biden-era executive order intended to regulate artificial intelligence this week, just 18 months after its initial signing.
Wayfair's Massive Memorial Day Clearance on Furniture & Decor
During Wayfair's Memorial Day Clearance, discounts on furniture and decor can reach an astonishing 84 percent off, according to Southern Living .
Zero Turn, Riding, or Electric Mower: Which is Right?
The Ego Power+ T6 Riding Mower silently tackles a half-acre yard on a single charge, signaling a quiet revolution in lawn care that challenges the roar of traditional gas engines.
Halmar Skanska Partnership to Lead New York Penn Station Renovation
The $8 billion renovation of New York Penn Station, a project discussed for decades, now has a master developer, Penn Transformation Partners.
Ranger Leverless Auto Bead Lifter Tool Automates Tire Service
Facing an aging workforce and high turnover, tire service shops can now eliminate the strenuous manual labor of bead lifting.
Eighteen Startups Test New Tech for NY Transit Systems
More than half of the 18 companies selected for New York's latest Transit Tech Lab cohort are deploying AI or autonomous technologies.
House Committee Introduces BUILD AMERICA 250 Act for Transportation
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee proposes boosting annual bridge funding by $3.
UK sees surge in skilled trades education amid AI fears
Enrollment in UK plumbing and electrical courses surged by 40% last year, according to UK colleges.
AI prompts white collar workers to switch to skilled trades
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang declared AI is ushering in a new industrial era, making it "a time for electricians, plumbers, iron workers, technicians, and builders," according to MoneyWise .