Trades
News and information for skilled trades like carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC.
Vocational training is key to closing the skills gap. Are schools listening?
Over 3,300 high school students recently flocked to the YES!
NYC Building Worker Strike Threatens Buildings, Projects
More than 3,300 residential buildings in New York City face immediate disruption as 34,000 building workers threaten to strike over wages and healthcare.
Hands-on apprenticeships pay more than you think
The average starting salary after completing an apprenticeship program is a surprising $77,000, offering a direct path to financial stability without college debt.
Michigan skilled trades programs are not equitable, new report finds.
In Michigan, where skilled trades jobs are projected to grow by 13% over the next decade, only 18% of current apprenticeships are held by individuals from underrepresented minority groups.
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.
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.
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
Apprenticeships target 2026 skilled trades labor gap
Despite North Carolina being ranked the 2026 Top State for Workforce Development by NC Governor (.
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.
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 .
Skilled Trades Camp Inspires Young Girls to Future-Proof Careers
Fewer than 10% of Red Seal certified journeypersons in Canada are women.
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.
TIG vs. MIG Welding: Choosing the Right Technique
Angles above 45-degrees when holding a TIG torch can cause a loss of shielding gas coverage, revealing the extreme precision required for this advanced welding technique, according to ScienceDirect .
What Are Residential and Commercial Electrical Wiring Types?
Many homeowners are unaware that the common Romex wiring found in their homes is strictly prohibited in residential buildings over three stories or in any commercial construction.
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
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) .
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 .
What Are AI Applications in Construction Project Management?
Despite its potential to boost construction productivity by up to 1.
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.
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.
MIG vs. Stick Welding: Understanding Their Trade-offs
A portable welding machine like the HITBOX ARC200mini3, weighing just 2.
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 .
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.
Vocational Training Funding Instability Threatens Economy
Nine out of ten apprentices remain employed upon completing their registered program.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.