Section

Trades

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

Aerial view of the $164 million Illinois I-80 bridge replacement project over the Des Plaines River, showcasing heavy machinery and ongoing construction.

Illinois Begins $164 Million Project to Replace I-80 Bridges

Illinois has just broken ground on the final phase of a $1.

Rick Donovan· May 30· 2 min
Professionals using advanced AI interfaces in a modern office, symbolizing GISI Consulting Group's growth and technology integration for future hiring.

GISI Consulting Group plans to hire 1,000 by 2026 using AI

GISI Consulting Group plans to hire 1,000 new project managers and leaders by the end of 2026, even as it aims to equip all 10,000 employees with AI tools, according to Construction Dive .

Rick Donovan· May 28· 2 min
A visual representation of the shift in AI policy, contrasting the structured regulation of the Biden era with the less defined approach of the Trump administration.

Trump's Team Scraps Biden's Landmark AI Order Amid Policy Shift

Donald Trump's team quietly called off a landmark Biden-era executive order intended to regulate artificial intelligence this week, just 18 months after its initial signing.

Rick Donovan· May 26· 2 min
A beautifully decorated living room with furniture and decor items on sale during Wayfair's Memorial Day Clearance event.

Wayfair's Massive Memorial Day Clearance on Furniture & Decor

During Wayfair's Memorial Day Clearance, discounts on furniture and decor can reach an astonishing 84 percent off, according to Southern Living .

Rick Donovan· May 24· 2 min
A state-of-the-art electric riding mower working on a large lawn at dusk, with an older gas mower visible in the distance.

Zero Turn, Riding, or Electric Mower: Which is Right?

The Ego Power+ T6 Riding Mower silently tackles a half-acre yard on a single charge, signaling a quiet revolution in lawn care that challenges the roar of traditional gas engines.

Rick Donovan· May 23· 2 min
New York Penn Station exterior at dusk with construction cranes and scaffolding, symbolizing a major renovation project.

Halmar Skanska Partnership to Lead New York Penn Station Renovation

The $8 billion renovation of New York Penn Station, a project discussed for decades, now has a master developer, Penn Transformation Partners.

Rick Donovan· May 22· 2 min
Ranger Leverless Auto Bead Lifter tool automatically lifting the bead of a car tire, showcasing modern tire service automation.

Ranger Leverless Auto Bead Lifter Tool Automates Tire Service

Facing an aging workforce and high turnover, tire service shops can now eliminate the strenuous manual labor of bead lifting.

Rick Donovan· May 21· 2 min
Futuristic New York City subway station with AI-powered trains and autonomous drones, showcasing advanced transit technology.

Eighteen Startups Test New Tech for NY Transit Systems

More than half of the 18 companies selected for New York's latest Transit Tech Lab cohort are deploying AI or autonomous technologies.

Rick Donovan· May 21· 2 min
A modern bridge at sunset, representing the significant increase in federal bridge funding proposed by the BUILD AMERICA 250 Act.

House Committee Introduces BUILD AMERICA 250 Act for Transportation

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee proposes boosting annual bridge funding by $3.

Rick Donovan· May 20· 2 min
Young UK adult working on plumbing and electrical systems, with a subtle AI interface in the background, symbolizing a shift towards skilled trades.

UK sees surge in skilled trades education amid AI fears

Enrollment in UK plumbing and electrical courses surged by 40% last year, according to UK colleges.

Rick Donovan· May 20· 2 min
Diverse group of former white-collar professionals transitioning to skilled trades, working amidst AI infrastructure, symbolizing a new industrial era.

AI prompts white collar workers to switch to skilled trades

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang declared AI is ushering in a new industrial era, making it "a time for electricians, plumbers, iron workers, technicians, and builders," according to MoneyWise .

Rick Donovan· May 18· 2 min
Students actively engaged in hands-on skilled trades demonstrations, including virtual reality welding and house frame building, at the Adelaide Careers Expo.

Adelaide Careers Expo Showcases Skilled Trades Vocational Training

At the Adelaide Careers and Employment Expo, students aren't just browsing brochures.

Rick Donovan· May 10· 2 min
Diverse South African youth learning skilled trades and digital skills at a new, modern TVET college campus.

South Africa Opens New TVET Campus for Skilled Trades

In Mpumalanga Province, the new Gert Sibande TVET College 4IR LAB is now open, directly linking South African youth to future-ready technical skills crucial for the digital economy.

Rick Donovan· May 4· 2 min
A modern vocational training workshop with students looking towards a distant Milwaukee Tool logo, representing future opportunities and delayed grant funding.

Milwaukee Tool announces Bring Back the Trades grants for 2026

Despite urgent national demand for skilled trades workers, Milwaukee Tool's new 'Bring Back the Trades' grant program, offering up to $1,500 in tool kits monthly, won't award grants until April 2026,

Rick Donovan· Apr 15· 2 min
Young competitors intensely focused on their skilled trade tasks at a large vocational competition, showcasing talent and dedication.

Skills Competitions Showcase Vocational Careers in Skilled Trades

In a sprawling 1.79 million square feet at the Georgia World Congress Center, over 6,700 state champions recently converged to compete in 114 skilled and leadership competitions. This event spotlights

Rick Donovan· Apr 14· 2 min
A skilled tradesman performing SMAW welding, with a bright arc and flying sparks joining two heavy metal components in a workshop setting.

SMAW welding: Is it still a tradesman's best bet?

The electric arc in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) can reach temperatures exceeding 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit, an intense heat that instantly melts metal for a weld.

Rick Donovan· Jun 9· 5 min
Students in a vocational training workshop look confused while trying to operate advanced robotic arms and AI machinery, symbolizing the growing skills gap.

Vocational Training Struggles with Tech Amidst Skills Chasm

By 2030, 2.1 million skilled trade jobs are projected to remain unfilled, a deficit that could cost the economy $1 trillion annually, even as AI and robots begin to reshape these very roles. This stag

Rick Donovan· May 10· 4 min
A split image contrasting a clean, efficient residential HVAC unit with a neglected, dusty one, highlighting the impact of maintenance on energy savings and lifespan.

Residential HVAC Maintenance: Maximize Life and Savings

Improper installation alone can increase a household's energy use for space heating and cooling by approximately 30 percent, turning an efficient HVAC unit into a hidden money drain.

Rick Donovan· Apr 28· 5 min
Diverse Gen Z individuals actively engaged in skilled trades like construction, electrical work, and mechanics, symbolizing a career shift away from traditional office jobs.

Gen Z Trades Up: Office Jobs Fade as Skilled Careers Surge

A staggering 72% of young office workers are now considering a switch to skilled trades, signaling a profound re-evaluation of career paths among Gen Z.

Rick Donovan· Apr 23· 4 min
Homeowner stressed over plumbing bill with a dripping faucet in the background, symbolizing unexpected costs and financial burden.

Plumbing System Costs in 2026

In 2026, a standard plumbing service call can cost anywhere from $75 to $300 before any work even begins, with emergency rates soaring to $400 per hour, according to Serviceagent .

Rick Donovan· Apr 13· 5 min
Close-up of an electrician's hands meticulously working on a junction box, showcasing safe electrical wiring techniques and protocols.

Electrical Wiring Safety Protocols and Techniques

Running a single extension cord in your home can create multiple points where cords can kink, short out, or get pinched, potentially leading to tripped breakers, damaged outlets, or even fire.

Rick Donovan· Apr 11· 12 min
An HVAC technician in protective gear carefully managing refrigerants on a modern outdoor air conditioning unit, demonstrating safe and efficient practices.

How Advanced HVAC Refrigerant Management Works: A Complete Guide

Understanding advanced HVAC refrigerant management is crucial for modern technicians. This guide breaks down what you need to know to handle refrigerants safely, efficiently, and legally.

Rick Donovan· Apr 9· 7 min
Close-up of a meticulously wired electrical panel with grounding and bonding connections clearly visible, emphasizing safety and compliance with electrical codes.

How Electrical Grounding and Bonding Works: A Complete Guide

Electrical grounding and bonding are critical safety systems that protect against shock, equipment damage, and fire. This guide clarifies their distinct roles and provides a comprehensive overview of their implementation according to the National Electrical Code.

Ben Foster· Apr 8· 9 min
An HVAC technician meticulously diagnosing a complex air conditioning unit on a rooftop using a tablet and advanced data-logging tools, with a city skyline in the background at sunset, emphasizing modern troubleshooting.

Advanced HVAC System Diagnostics: A Complete Guide to Troubleshooting Techniques

Advanced HVAC system diagnostics is no longer a luxury for technicians—it's a necessity. This guide provides a complete, step-by-step approach to troubleshooting, ensuring accurate and efficient repairs.

Rick Donovan· Apr 6· 9 min
A skilled welder in full safety gear, intensely focused on a welding arc, with bright sparks illuminating the scene in a modern industrial workshop, showcasing the precision and power of metal fusion.

A Comprehensive Guide to Welding Techniques and Applications

Welding is the powerful, precise art of fusing metal, essential for modern construction, manufacturing, and repair. This guide breaks down Stick, MIG, and TIG techniques, their applications, and critical safety.

Rick Donovan· Apr 5· 9 min
A skilled tradesperson integrates a modern smart thermostat with an older HVAC system, demonstrating the seamless blend of new technology with traditional home infrastructure.

How Smart Home Devices Integrate with Traditional HVAC and Electrical Systems

For tradespeople, understanding how smart home devices integrate with traditional HVAC and electrical systems is now a core competency. This guide explores the essentials of connecting modern technology with legacy infrastructure.

Rick Donovan· Mar 31· 6 min
A split image showing a residential HVAC furnace in a basement and a large commercial rooftop unit against a city skyline, illustrating HVAC applications.

What Is an HVAC System? A Comprehensive Guide for Residential and Commercial Applications

Understanding what an HVAC system is, from its core components to its proper installation, is crucial for any property owner. This guide breaks down the essentials for both residential and commercial applications.

Rick Donovan· Mar 30· 8 min
Experienced tradesperson mentoring an apprentice on a complex task, symbolizing the transfer of skills and knowledge to close the skilled trades gap.

Mentorship programs are key to closing the skilled trades gap by 2026.

In 2018, Bill 47 shifted the journeyperson-to-apprentice ratio from 3:1 to 1:1, dramatically expanding apprenticeship capacity nationwide.

Rick Donovan· Jul 1· 3 min
Diverse group of women in skilled trades on a construction site, one pointing at a blueprint, symbolizing leadership and progress.

Women in Skilled Trades Face Stalled Leadership, Despite Gains

In 2024, tradeswomen in construction and extraction occupations reached 366,360, the highest percentage since 2015, according to Manufacturers Alliance .

Ben Foster· Jun 26· 3 min
Young adults receiving vocational training in a high-tech data center environment, learning to become data center technicians.

Meta's New Academy Trains for Data Center Tech Jobs

In 2026, Meta is committing $115 million to provide free training, including tuition, housing, and a daily stipend, for a five-week program with a guaranteed job upon completion, according to...

Rick Donovan· Jun 16· 4 min