Section

Trades

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

Young apprentices learning carpentry, electrical work, and plumbing in a modern workshop, showcasing the future of skilled trades.

Youth vocational training tackles skilled trades shortage

At just 20, Charles Goede from Waterford, Connecticut, is a three-year apprentice plumber with Local 777.

Rick Donovan· Sep 1· 2 min
Diverse skilled tradespeople working together on a construction project with a city skyline in the background, symbolizing economic opportunity and support programs.

Ontario, federal programs offer business, worker support

While a new Ontario program aims to place 250 people from underrepresented groups into skilled trades, the province's existing Employment Ontario services already supported over 693,000 Ontarians in t

Rick Donovan· Aug 23· 2 min
State-of-the-art forest sector facility showcasing advanced technology and sustainable practices with robotic arms and technicians.

Ontario invests $2.1M in new tech for forest sector innovation

Ontario is pouring over $2.

Rick Donovan· Aug 19· 2 min
Students learning skilled trades like carpentry and electrical work in a well-equipped college workshop with experienced instructors.

Delaware County Community College seeks skilled trades instructors

Delaware County Community College is pushing to bolster its skilled trades programs across four key locations, calling for instructors with a decade or more in their craft and availability for both da

Rick Donovan· Aug 17· 2 min
Diverse group of trainees learning carpentry, electrical, and welding skills in a modern vocational training center, symbolizing workforce development.

Organizations Expand Trades Training to Meet Skilled Labor Demand

Since 2018, The Home Depot Foundation's partnerships alone have certified over 70,000 participants in skilled trades, highlighting a massive, accelerating push to fill critical labor gaps.

Rick Donovan· Aug 14· 2 min
Skilled trades workers on a busy construction site in Michigan, symbolizing the state's economic boom and high demand for their expertise.

Michigan's economic boom fuels urgent demand for skilled trades

New members joining Iron Workers Local 25 start with a $57 an hour package, including upward mobility and guaranteed pensions, according to The Detroit News .

Rick Donovan· Aug 13· 2 min
Nassau County's historic Freeport Armory undergoing renovation to become a new trade school, symbolizing future workforce development.

County Grant Funds Freeport Armory Conversion to Trade School

Nassau County has awarded a $300,000 grant to Freeport, initiating the transformation of its historic armory into a new trade school.

Rick Donovan· Aug 7· 2 min
Students learning electrical, HVAC, and plumbing skills in a modern workshop, funded by the Lowe's Foundation grant.

Lowe's Foundation Grants $1M to Houston Community College for Skilled Trades

Houston Community College secured a $1 million grant from the Lowe's Foundation, part of nearly $8 million distributed to 10 community and technical colleges.

Rick Donovan· Jul 31· 2 min
Young apprentices learning electrical, plumbing, and carpentry skills in a modern training facility, supported by Lowe's Foundation grants.

Lowe's Foundation adds $8M to skilled trades training grants

In a single announcement, Lowe's Foundation just committed nearly $8 million to train the next generation of electricians, plumbers, and carpenters, bringing its total investment in skilled trades edu

Rick Donovan· Jul 30· 2 min
Diverse group of young Canadians training and working in skilled trades, representing the future of the workforce and Canada's infrastructure development.

Canada Launches $6B Program Addressing Skilled Trades Shortage

Canada's federal government just pledged up to $6 billion for a 'Team Canada Strong' program, aiming to train 100,000 new skilled trades workers by 2030-31.

Rick Donovan· Jul 18· 2 min
A confident Australian tradesperson working on a construction site, demonstrating the high earning potential of skilled blue-collar professions.

Blue-collar trades offer six-figure earnings potential in Australia

Skilled tradespeople in Australia can earn over A$120,000 annually, a figure competitive with many white-collar salaries, reports Whalesbook .

Rick Donovan· Jul 5· 2 min
Diverse apprentices learning skilled trades with modern tools and equipment in a bright, collaborative training environment.

HCC Apprenticeship Program Secures New Funding for Skilled Trades

Houston Community College recently secured a $17 million investment from Bloomberg Philanthropies , signaling a major push to expand skilled trades through apprenticeships.

Rick Donovan· Jul 5· 2 min
A high-speed train travels through the Central Valley with construction in the background, representing the $2.4 billion design-build contract for California's high-speed rail.

California High-Speed Rail Seeks $2.4B Design-Build Partners

The California High-Speed Rail Authority has opened bidding for a $2.

Rick Donovan· Jun 30· 2 min
A powerful electric pressure washer dramatically cleaning a driveway during Amazon Prime Day, highlighting significant discounts on top brands like Kärcher and Greenworks.

Amazon Prime Day Slashes Prices on Top Pressure Washers

During Amazon's Prime Day, the Kärcher K1700 Electric Pressure Washer, usually $229.

Rick Donovan· Jun 29· 2 min
An Ego 56V 15-inch string trimmer is shown in use during a Prime Day sale, with a significant price reduction highlighted.

Amazon Slashes Ego String Trimmer Prices Up to 34%

During Amazon's Prime Day, the Ego 56V 15-Inch String Trimmer, a top-rated tool, sells for just $132.

Rick Donovan· Jun 29· 2 min
Farmer inspecting healthy crops in a sunlit field, symbolizing the benefits of organic fertilizers for plant growth and yield.

Discover Effective Organic Fertilizers for Plants

Farmers applying soybean meal to their crops have seen winter wheat yields jump by an astonishing 299% compared to treatments without organic fertilizers.

Rick Donovan· Jun 28· 2 min
Electricians installing wiring in a futuristic data center, highlighting the crucial role of skilled trades in supporting AI infrastructure growth.

Nvidia CEO: AI boom needs 130,000 more electricians

The United States needs 130,000 more trained electricians by 2030, just to keep pace with AI infrastructure expansion.

Rick Donovan· Jun 25· 2 min
Female gymnast soaring through the air during a vault, showcasing incredible athleticism and focus under bright stadium lights.

Vaulted Success Pushes Limits Amid Injury Concerns

Isabella Cox stands alone as the only gymnast on this list to achieve a perfect 10.

Rick Donovan· Jun 25· 2 min
Construction site in Western Australia at dusk, symbolizing the decline in trade apprenticeships despite high demand for skilled labor.

Western Australia sees fewer trade apprentices as demand rises

Western Australia's skilled trades pipeline has shrunk to a five-year low, with nearly 5,000 fewer apprentices and trainees enrolled since 2021.

Rick Donovan· Jun 24· 2 min
Engineers overseeing the construction of a large, modern water treatment plant in Placer County, highlighting the scale and complexity of the project.

Carollo Engineers Wins Placer County WTP Management Contract

Placer County is embarking on a $210 million water treatment plant, yet the crucial construction management contract for the first phase was awarded to Carollo Engineers for just $271,960.

Rick Donovan· Jun 23· 2 min
Young Indian student choosing between a sterile MBA office and a dynamic, hands-on skilled trades workshop, symbolizing a career choice.

India's CEA Urges Students Toward Skilled Trades Over MBAs

India's Chief Economic Adviser V.

Rick Donovan· Jun 22· 2 min
Interior of the expanded fitness center at Hilton Boston Back Bay, showcasing Peloton bikes and access to outdoor wellness areas with a city view.

Hilton Boston Back Bay Unveils New Wellness Features Post-Renovation

The Hilton Boston Back Bay invested millions into its 401-room property, expanding its fitness center to 3,500 square feet with Peloton bikes and outdoor wellness spaces, reports Construction Dive .

Rick Donovan· Jun 19· 2 min
Robotics technician in India working with advanced AI machinery, symbolizing the rise of skilled trades over traditional white-collar jobs.

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.

Rick Donovan· Jun 17· 2 min
Expert applying a rich, solid deck stain to a weathered wooden deck, showcasing a professional and durable finish.

Solid Deck Stains: Expert Tests & Performance Review

The worst wood stain in Consumer Reports' ratings scores an abysmal 4 out of 100.

Rick Donovan· Jun 15· 2 min
Homebuyer carefully inspecting a wooden deck for structural integrity, focusing on railings and stairs.

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.

Rick Donovan· Jun 15· 2 min
A luxurious backyard deck contrasted with a simple water dish, highlighting the balance between homeowner luxury and essential wildlife support.

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.

Rick Donovan· Jun 14· 2 min
Diverse group of plumbers, electricians, and construction workers collaborating on a holographic blueprint, symbolizing Google's investment in skilled trades training.

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.

Rick Donovan· Jun 13· 2 min
Diverse group of construction workers building a high-tech data center, showcasing Meta's investment in workforce development for critical infrastructure.

Meta Launches Academy to Train Data Center Construction Workers

Meta is investing $115 million to launch a five-week workforce academy.

Rick Donovan· Jun 12· 2 min
Conceptual rendering of a new Chicago Bears stadium in Hammond, Indiana, highlighting the team's potential move and new facility plans.

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.

Rick Donovan· Jun 10· 2 min
A bustling, high-tech data center in Minneapolis contrasted with a dormant traditional industrial construction site, highlighting a market boom in one sector amidst a general slowdown.

Minneapolis data centers boom amid broader industrial slowdown

Construction activity in the greater Twin Cities area declined this spring.

Rick Donovan· Jun 9· 2 min