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

Skilled trades gap creates 1.4 million job openings by 2030
By 2030, America faces a deficit of 1.

Skilled trades workforce crisis drives economic impact in 2026
Nearly 60% of companies hiring skilled trades workers report a critical shortage of necessary skills, creating a bottleneck in the U.

Scout programs open new facilities for skilled trades training
The Boy Scouts of America will open 50 new skilled trades education centers by 2025, backed by a $150 million investment.

Detroit high school students explore skilled trades careers
Over 100 Detroit high school students, including girls from the Detroit Public Schools Community District, recently got their hands dirty at a construction site in southwest Detroit, directly connecti

Detroit teens explore skilled trades at workforce development expo
Last year, over 70% of Detroit high school students who attended the annual Skilled Trades Expo received job offers or apprenticeships before graduation, a stark contrast to national college graduate

Riverside School Board Launches Jill of All Trades Initiative
In Pakistan's Tharparkar region, 50 girls are now learning graphic design and embroidery, part of a global surge in initiatives aiming to equip young people with practical skills, according to The Fri

Nigeria Plans Nationwide Artisan Training Program for 100,000
A new nationwide program aims to train 100,000 construction artisans, but its official launch is nearly two years away, on April 21, 2026.

Diverse 2026 Trade School Initiatives for Workforce Development
California alone is deploying $37.

Pima Community College Plans 2026 Opening for New Tech Center
Pima Community College's new 25,000-square-foot Building and Construction Technology Center, funded in part by over $1.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.