Section

Industry

News, trends, and analysis of the trades and services industry, including regulations and market data.

A modern DIY workshop showcasing a variety of eco-friendly and refurbished power tools alongside green plants, emphasizing sustainability in home improvement.

Eco-Friendly Tools Fuel Sustainable DIY Culture's Market Shift

Sales of refurbished power tools jumped 30% last year, outpacing new tool sales in several categories.

Kyle Brenner· May 2· 4 min
Robotics technician performing maintenance on advanced robotic equipment within a high-tech data center environment, symbolizing the surge in demand for skilled labor due to AI.

Robotics Technician Demand Surges 113% as AI Transforms Job Market

Three electricians under the age of 30 were making between $240,000 and $280,000 per year at a data center.

Rick Donovan· Apr 29· 4 min
Trades professional analyzing smart home technology and energy grid data on a holographic interface in a modern home.

The Smart Home Shift: What It Means for Trades Professionals in 2026

At the upcoming CEDIA Expo/CIX 2026, industry sessions will focus less on basic installations and more on integrating intelligent security systems and optimizing energy grids.

Rick Donovan· Apr 29· 3 min
Futuristic logistics hub with AI robots and autonomous vehicles, showcasing automated cargo movement and data visualization for efficiency.

AI Fuels Logistics Boom: Industrial Sector Sees Unprecedented Automation Growth

C.H. Robinson has deployed over 30 AI agents. These agents now perform millions of shipping tasks daily. They manage complex logistical operations, from freight matching to route optimization. This re

Ben Foster· Apr 25· 3 min
Construction worker in smart safety gear with holographic data overlays on a modern, tech-integrated construction site, showcasing IoT's impact on trades.

Smart Tools IoT Integration Set to Transform Trades Industry

Wearable safety monitoring systems for workers have correlated with a 40% reduction in workplace accidents and injuries, fundamentally reshaping the risk profile for trades workers, according to pmc .

Kyle Brenner· Apr 25· 3 min
A cinematic view of a bustling Asia Pacific city under construction, with numerous cranes and heavy machinery actively building new infrastructure.

Urbanization Fuels APAC Construction Equipment Market: Trillion-Dollar Aim

In 2021, India's excavator sales surged an astonishing 54.

Ben Foster· Apr 23· 4 min
Skilled tradespeople collaborating on a sustainable construction project, integrating green technology like solar panels and wind turbines into their work.

The Green Skill Shift: What It Means for Skilled Trades

Job postings requiring at least one green skill are growing twice as fast as the number of workers who possess those abilities, creating a significant talent imbalance across various sectors.

Ben Foster· Apr 22· 3 min
Skilled tradespeople collaborating on a sustainable construction site, utilizing green building techniques and advanced tools for energy-efficient projects.

Sustainability Trends Reshape Skilled Trades, Widening the Skills Gap

In Germany, 30% of new construction jobs now require specific certifications in energy-efficient building techniques—a five-fold increase in a decade.

Ben Foster· Apr 22· 4 min
Modern building facade made of hempcrete, with construction workers collaborating, symbolizing the surge in sustainable building materials.

Industrial hemp building materials see global trends surge in 2026

In March 2025, Hempitecture Inc.

Ben Foster· Apr 20· 3 min
Homeowners reviewing their home equity statement on a tablet in their newly renovated kitchen, symbolizing personal savings funding home improvements.

Homeowners Fund Remodels With Personal Savings

In 2024, 84% of homeowners funded their renovation projects using personal savings, even as the median cost for a small kitchen remodel jumped 9% to $35,000, according to Houzz .

Rick Donovan· Apr 18· 4 min
Construction site with heavy machinery actively working, illustrating optimized fleet utilization and efficiency with telematics data.

What is Fleet Utilization and How to Optimize it for Construction?

State fleet assets failing to meet 75% of minimum utilization thresholds are granted a 12-month grace period before re-evaluation, according to the California Department of General Services (DGS) .

Rick Donovan· Apr 17· 5 min
Robots and humans working together on a futuristic manufacturing floor, highlighting the collaborative and human-centric nature of Industry 5.0.

Industry 5.0's Human-Centric Shift: Reshaping Global Manufacturing

More than half of pharmaceutical leaders admit that employee resistance, not technological capability, is the primary barrier to adopting advanced digital solutions, according to Pharmaceutical Techno

Rick Donovan· Apr 16· 3 min
Autonomous construction robots and drones operating on a futuristic building site, showcasing advanced technology and efficiency in the modern construction industry.

Advanced Construction Tech Boosts Efficiency Amid Workforce Shift

Bedrock Robotics, an autonomous construction tech startup, secured $270 million in Series B funding, pushing its total investment beyond $350 million, according to Electrek .

Rick Donovan· Apr 12· 4 min
Modern skyscraper facade featuring advanced fire-resistant glass, with subtle heat waves indicating its protective capabilities against fire.

Heat-Resistant Glass Market Soars, Fire-Resistant Glass Set to Double

The global fire-resistant glass market, valued at USD 11.

Kyle Brenner· Apr 12· 3 min
Robotic arms performing intricate tasks on specialized manufacturing equipment, symbolizing the rise of automation in industry.

Automation's Grip Tightens on Specialized Equipment Markets

The United States faces a projected shortage of 600,000 welders over the next decade, a gap so vast it will compel the widespread adoption of physical AI in manufacturing, according to Design News .

Ben Foster· Apr 11· 3 min
Construction worker in protective gear struggling with heat, with advanced safety technology visible but seemingly ineffective in the background.

Skilled trades safety: Tech deployed, yet workers remain at risk

Despite advanced tech deployment, heat-related deaths in skilled trades rose 117% since 1999, revealing a critical disconnect in worker safety outcomes.

Ben Foster· Apr 11· 4 min
Skilled trades workers in construction, shipyard, and longshoreman roles demonstrating proper fall protection equipment usage at varying heights.

What are Skilled Trades Fall Protection Regulations?

While a construction worker needs fall protection at six feet, a shipyard employee requires it at five feet, and a longshoreman at eight feet, revealing a surprising patchwork of safety rules.

Ben Foster· Apr 11· 5 min
Tradespeople in a high-tech environment collaborating and learning, emphasizing the need for continuous education in the rapidly evolving tech industry.

Tradespeople in Tech Need Continuous Education to Stay Relevant

A recent survey found 70% of tech tradespeople feel their current certifications become outdated within just 3-5 years, a stark reminder of tech's relentless pace.

Ben Foster· Aug 19· 3 min
5 Practical Ways National Cover Helps Australian Drivers Protect Their Fleet Vehicles

5 Practical Ways National Cover Helps Australian Drivers Protect Their Fleet Vehicles

Managing a fleet of commercial vehicles presents unique challenges for Australian businesses. From coordinating maintenance to ensuring compliance, protecting these valuable assets is a top priority. Commercial motor veh…

Sponsored by National Cover· Aug 18· 4 min
The Complete Guide to High Net Worth Divorce by Law Offices of Ronald Justin (2026 Edition)

The Complete Guide to High Net Worth Divorce by Law Offices of Ronald Justin (2026 Edition)

This guide addresses the complexities of high net worth divorce in Illinois, where dividing substantial and varied assets requires specialized legal expertise. The Law Offices of Ronald Justin offers a unique flat-fee model for these intricate cases, providing transparency and predictability.

Sponsored by Law Offices of Ronald Justin· Aug 18· 4 min
Diverse trainees engaged in hands-on fiber optic installation training, highlighting Meta's program addressing the skilled trades shortage with high demand.

Meta's Program Addresses Skilled Trades Shortage

In just seven days, Meta's Level-Up fiber installation training program received an astonishing 35,000 applications.

Scott Ramirez· Aug 16· 3 min
Robotics technician collaborating with advanced robotic arms in a high-tech workshop, showcasing AI's role in skilled trades.

AI in skilled trades: New opportunities, not just jobs lost

Since late 2022, demand for robotics technicians has spiked an astonishing 107%, directly contradicting the widespread fear that AI would eliminate manual jobs.

Ben Foster· Aug 14· 4 min
Skilled trades workers collaborating with AI technology on a construction site, showcasing a future of augmented work and economic resilience.

AI Training for Trades Workers: A Path to Economic Resilience

Microsoft and the North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) offer free AI literacy courses and credentials to millions of skilled trades workers across North America.

Ben Foster· Aug 6· 3 min
Gen Z students training in a high-tech workshop, learning skilled trades with AI integration, preparing for future careers.

AI Automation's Impact on Skilled Trades Training 2026 Is Not What You Think

Gen Z is increasingly turning to trade schools to future-proof their careers against AI, a trend reported by The New York Times .

Ben Foster· Aug 4· 3 min
Robotic arms and human tradespeople collaborating in a futuristic workshop, symbolizing AI integration in skilled trades with digital interfaces.

AI automation impact on skilled trades future is here, Meta invests $115M

Meta's Level-Up fiber installation training program received 35,000 applications in just seven days, according to About Fb .

Rick Donovan· Aug 2· 3 min
A human engineer observes autonomous robots in a factory, highlighting concerns about AI's impact on trust and human skills in industrial settings.

AI in Industry Erodes Trust; Your Skills Might Be Next

In a factory where autonomous robots perform tasks once requiring decades of human expertise, a single software glitch could halt production and erase years of institutional knowledge.

Rick Donovan· Jul 18· 3 min
Skilled tradesperson working on a robotic arm in a high-tech workshop, with AI and automation data displayed holographically.

Automation and AI Won't Steal Skilled Trades Jobs. Here's Why.

Since late 2022, demand for robotics technicians has spiked an astonishing 107%, far outpacing growth in many white-collar sectors.

Ben Foster· Jul 10· 3 min
Diverse college graduates walking towards a futuristic city, with subtle AI interfaces, representing a positive outlook on AI and employment.

College Grads Thrive Amid AI: Why The 'AI Apocalypse' Is Overblown

While headlines scream about AI replacing millions, a recent survey found 85% of 2023 college graduates secured employment within six months, a rate higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Rick Donovan· Jun 21· 4 min
Robots and AI interfaces performing skilled trade tasks, with concerned young workers observing the changing landscape of the industry.

AI threatens skilled trades' entry-level jobs, creating a future talent crisis.

Meta launched a $115 million training program for AI infrastructure jobs, offering free, five-week courses with guaranteed employment for graduates, according to Memeburn .

Rick Donovan· Jun 20· 3 min
Skilled tradespeople working on a construction site contrasted with a glowing AI interface, symbolizing the future of work and automation.

AI won't replace skilled trades; white-collar jobs are at risk.

Headlines warn of AI replacing factory workers, but a recent report found human lawyers now spend 70% less time reviewing contracts at major firms, thanks to AI.

Rick Donovan· Jun 19· 3 min