Archive for March 2026
Top Blue Collar Recruiting Firms: How to Choose the Right One for Your Hiring Need
The skilled trades labor shortage isn’t slowing down. The construction industry alone needs to hire around 439,000 additional workers this year just to keep up with demand — and that’s before you account for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, manufacturing, and transportation. Employers still relying on job boards alone are losing. The companies actually winning the talent…
Read MoreFrom MLB Pitcher to Construction CEO: Kelly Wunsch’s Blue Collar Story
The One About Going From MLB to Successful Construction Company With Kelly Wunsch Most people who make it to the major leagues don’t end up running a construction company. Kelly Wunsch did — and he’ll tell you the two careers have more in common than you’d think. Kelly joined The Blue Collar Trades Show to…
Read MoreThe $100,000 Hiring Mistake Most Home Service Owners Repeat Every Year
The $100,000 Hiring Mistake Most Home Service Owners Repeat Every Year In the home service industries like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, restoration, and other skilled trades– one problem continues to hold companies back more than almost anything else: Hiring the wrong people. Most business owners know hiring is important. What many don’t realize is just…
Read MoreWhy Most Home Service Companies Can’t Find Techs in 2026
You’ve posted the job. You’ve raised the pay. You’ve tried Indeed, Craigslist, and a staffing agency that charged you $4,000 and sent you two people who didn’t show up. And you still don’t have a tech. This isn’t bad luck. It’s a structural problem and most home service companies are solving it wrong. Here’s what’s…
Read MoreBest Skilled Trades Job Boards in 2026
If you’re an employer trying to hire electricians, HVAC techs, plumbers, or welders right now, you already know the frustration. Generic job boards flood you with hundreds of applications from people who’ve never held a wrench. The construction industry needs over 530,000 additional workers in 2026, and the companies filling positions fastest aren’t posting on…
Read MoreThe Construction Labor Shortage in 2026: What Every Employer Needs to Know
The construction industry needs an estimated 349,000 net new workers in 2026 just to keep up with demand. And that number is expected to rise to 456,000 in 2027 as spending growth picks back up. If you’re a construction employer struggling to fill open positions, you’re not imagining things. 92% of construction firms report having…
Read MoreHow Skilled Trades People Accidentally Sabotage Their Own Careers
The skilled trades offer some of the best career opportunities in today’s economy. Electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, welders, and other trades professionals are in massive demand across the United States. Many skilled trades careers offer: Yet despite these advantages, many tradespeople unintentionally hold themselves back from bigger opportunities. The truth is that most career setbacks…
Read MoreBest Online Trade Schools in 2026: Complete Guide
Online trade schools offer flexible paths into HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and other skilled trades careers. But not all online programs deliver equal value. Some produce job-ready graduates. Others leave students with theory knowledge but zero practical skills. The best online trade schools combine foundational theory, licensing exam preparation, and required hands-on training—producing graduates employers actually…
Read MoreSHIFT IN TRADE JOB TITLES, FOCUS NOW ON EMPLOYEE/CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Have you noticed a shift in skilled trades job titles? Across HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and construction sectors, employers are increasingly blending technical roles with employee experience and customer experience responsibilities. In 2026, this trend has only accelerated — and if you’re hiring or job-seeking in the trades, it’s critical to understand what it means. What…
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