Archive for March 2026
Top Blue Collar Recruiting Firms in 2026: How to Choose the Right One
Quick answer: The best blue collar recruiting firms specialize in skilled trades, offer both contract and direct hire placement, and can show a track record in your trade and region. This guide compares seven firms, including Tradesmen International, Aerotek and FlexCrew USA, then explains how to choose by industry fit, speed to fill, fee structure…
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. In 2026, it’s a structural problem tied to the same skilled trades labor shortage affecting…
Read MoreBest Skilled Trades Job Boards in 2026
Quick answer: The best skilled trades job boards are the ones whose audience is actually looking for trade work. This guide compares the leading options for employers hiring electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians and other tradespeople, explaining what each board costs, who uses it and where it falls short. Use it to pick two or three…
Read MoreThe Construction Labor Shortage in 2026: Causes and What Employers Should Do
Quick answer: The construction labor shortage comes from three forces: experienced workers retiring faster than new workers enter, slow training and licensing pipelines, and rising demand from housing, infrastructure and data center projects. Employers close the gap by publishing clear pay, training on the job, widening recruiting channels and improving retention, since keeping a trained…
Read MoreHow Skilled Tradespeople Accidentally Sabotage Their Careers in 2026
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
Quick answer: The best online trade schools teach the classroom side of a trade, including code, theory, safety and certification prep, and pair it with hands-on hours through an employer, apprenticeship or local lab. Compare accreditation, total cost, program length, state licensing credit and job placement support before you enroll, because online coursework alone does…
Read MoreShift in Trade Job Titles: Focus on Employee & Customer Experience in 2026
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. On the Treasure Coast, service companies like Discount Water Heaters have built their reputation entirely around straightforward pricing and same-day response experience responsibilities. In 2026, this trend…
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