Section

Trades

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

A homeowner in a hazardous DIY plumbing situation, surrounded by water damage, mold, and chemical warnings, facing costly repairs.

DIY Plumbing Exposes You To Toxic Chemicals, Biohazards, And Costly Repairs.

An incorrect pipe connection, a common DIY plumbing error, can cause extensive water damage to a home's flooring, walls, and structure, costing thousands more than a professional repair.

Rick Donovan· Apr 26· 3 min
A futuristic AI interface highlights a structural flaw on a building blueprint, with a concerned tradesperson observing.

AI in trades will challenge accountability. Are you prepared?

An AI-powered diagnostic tool recently misidentified a critical structural flaw in a building, costing $2 million in repairs and a year-long delay.

Rick Donovan· Apr 22· 4 min
Skilled tradesperson collaborating with an advanced AI system, showcasing the integration of technology and automation in modern vocational fields.

Skilled trades must embrace continuous learning to adapt to evolving tech by 2026.

At Kent State University, an AI system now monitors 1,000 variables and makes 150 control decisions every 15 minutes for its facilities team, saving $470,000 in annual utility costs, according to Faci

Rick Donovan· Apr 21· 3 min
Diverse apprentices learning skilled trades on a construction site, symbolizing North Carolina's commitment to closing the 2026 labor gap.

Apprenticeships target 2026 skilled trades labor gap

Despite North Carolina being ranked the 2026 Top State for Workforce Development by NC Governor (.

Rick Donovan· Apr 20· 3 min
Skilled trades workers in a supportive group session, discussing mental health challenges and finding hope through peer connection.

Skilled trades workers face mental health stigma, but peer support offers hope.

A staggering 64% of construction workers reported experiencing anxiety or depression in the last 12 months.

Rick Donovan· Apr 19· 3 min
A skilled tradesperson, like an EMT, performing their job with expertise, highlighting the low automation risk and high demand for human skills in essential services.

Skilled Trades Jobs Are Safe From Automation, Offering Good Wages

While many office jobs face an uncertain future from AI, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) have the lowest automation risk at just 7%, according to Freelance Informer .

Rick Donovan· Apr 16· 3 min
Young girls in safety gear learning carpentry and welding at a skilled trades camp, looking inspired and engaged.

Skilled Trades Camp Inspires Young Girls to Future-Proof Careers

Fewer than 10% of Red Seal certified journeypersons in Canada are women.

Ben Foster· Apr 12· 4 min
A skilled tradesperson's hands, worn and focused, working on machinery, juxtaposed against a blurry background projection of abstract economic charts, symbolizing the disconnect between policy and practical labor.

Progressive Capitalism Is a Talking Point, Not a Solution for the Skilled Trades

Progressive capitalism seeks to solve the industrial workforce crisis, but it's a theoretical blueprint that will fail without a ground-level revolution in how we value and train skilled tradespeople. No economic philosophy from on high can, by itself, solve the skills gap plaguing our industries.

Rick Donovan· Mar 30· 4 min
Split-screen comparison of TIG welding's precision and MIG welding's speed in a fabrication workshop setting.

TIG vs. MIG Welding: Which Technique is Better for Fabrication?

A skilled MIG operator can typically complete a weld two to four times faster than a TIG operator, fundamentally altering project timelines and labor costs for many fabrication shops, according to Pre

Rick Donovan· Sep 4· 3 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
Detailed diagram of a modern home HVAC system, illustrating the components responsible for heating, cooling, and air circulation for optimal climate control.

How Does an HVAC System Work? A Complete Guide to Home Climate Control

While your old furnace might be burning money at a mere 60% efficiency, modern high-efficiency units can convert an astonishing 98% of fuel into usable heat, according to Skillcatapp .

Rick Donovan· Jul 15· 4 min
Futuristic construction site with AI interfaces, drones, and holographic displays showcasing real-time project management data analysis.

What Are AI Applications in Construction Project Management?

Despite its potential to boost construction productivity by up to 1.

Rick Donovan· Jul 10· 3 min
Split image: clean HVAC unit interior and a homeowner enjoying a comfortable living room, symbolizing efficient home climate control.

How to Maintain Your Residential HVAC System: A 2026 Guide

Pouring a cup of boiling water down your AC drain pipe monthly could prevent a costly service call, yet most homeowners don't know this simple trick.

Rick Donovan· Jul 4· 4 min
A visual comparison of old R-410A HVAC systems and new, environmentally friendly refrigerants, symbolizing the industry's regulatory shift.

What are modern HVAC refrigerants and why do regulations matter?

Starting January 1, 2025, manufacturing or importing new HVAC systems that use R-410A, a refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) of 2088, becomes illegal.

Rick Donovan· Jun 26· 4 min
Comparison of MIG welding and Stick welding processes, showing the distinct arcs, sparks, and operational styles of each technique in a workshop setting.

MIG vs. Stick Welding: Understanding Their Trade-offs

A portable welding machine like the HITBOX ARC200mini3, weighing just 2.

Rick Donovan· Jun 21· 3 min
A modern thermostat in a living room, with glowing lines suggesting an HVAC system diagnostic scan in progress, highlighting efficiency.

How HVAC System Diagnostics Work: Common Issues & Best Practices

A total of 443,308 daily fault records were collected across residential HVAC systems, according to Energy .

Rick Donovan· May 15· 3 min
Homeowner performing a DIY plumbing check on a toilet base, looking for signs of leaks and potential subfloor damage.

DIY Plumbing Checks: Improve System Health, Prevent Issues

A toilet that wobbles more than half an inch is not just a minor inconvenience; it signals a potential water leak that could lead to extensive subfloor damage.

Rick Donovan· May 4· 3 min
A split image showing thriving skilled tradespeople contrasted with a barren landscape and deflated piggy bank, symbolizing the impact of vocational training funding instability.

Vocational Training Funding Instability Threatens Economy

Nine out of ten apprentices remain employed upon completing their registered program.

Ben Foster· Sep 1· 2 min
UK Gen Z youth choosing skilled trades over university degrees due to AI job market concerns, showcasing hands-on work.

UK youth shun degrees for skilled trades amid AI job fears.

Despite graduates earning £11,500 more annually than non-graduates, a surprising 37% of UK Gen Z workers with degrees are shifting to blue-collar and skilled trade jobs.

Rick Donovan· Aug 26· 2 min
Students learning practical skills like HVAC repair and welding in a well-equipped trade school workshop, preparing for high-demand jobs.

Local trade schools are key to economic growth.

At Chattahoochee Technical College, many students secure employment in high-demand fields like HVAC before completing coursework, proving the immediate value of practical education.

Rick Donovan· Aug 7· 2 min
A busy trade show floor at InstallerSHOW 2026, featuring the Kitchen Fitter Arena with Howdens branding, showcasing collaboration among various tradespeople.

InstallerSHOW 2026: Howdens Partners With Kitchen Fitter Arena

For the first time, InstallerSHOW 2026 will co-locate the Professional Woodworking Expo and the Painting & Decorating Show.

Rick Donovan· Jul 5· 2 min
Diverse group of trainees learning electrical skills in a modern, well-lit facility, symbolizing opportunity in skilled trades.

Siemens Foundation Aims for 25,000 NC Skilled Workers, Boosting Access

The Siemens Foundation is investing $9.25 million to launch Careers Electric™ in North Carolina, aiming to train 25,000 people for energy and infrastructure jobs within a decade.

Ben Foster· May 6· 2 min
Split image showing AI robots in a sterile office contrasted with skilled tradespeople working in a warm workshop, representing job market shifts.

AI disrupts white-collar jobs, skilled trades offer stability

A McKinsey study projects that up to 50% of all entry-level white-collar jobs could be disrupted by artificial intelligence within the next five years, fundamentally redirecting career aspirations for

Ben Foster· Apr 29· 2 min
Young person contemplating career choices between university and skilled trades, with rising blue-collar wages as a factor.

Blue-collar wages surge, making degrees a riskier path for young people

Between 2019 and 2024, real hourly wages for the lowest-paid 10% of US workers jumped by 15.

Rick Donovan· Apr 23· 2 min
Robotics technician working with advanced AI and machinery, symbolizing new opportunities in skilled trades created by technological advancement.

AI Won't Replace Skilled Trades—It Will Create New Opportunities.

Demand for robotics technicians has spiked an astonishing 107% since late 2022.

Rick Donovan· Apr 14· 2 min