Posts by Troy Latuff
How to Staff Skilled Trades Talent for the Busy Season (2027)
Quick answer: Plan busy season staffing months ahead with a timeline, early postings, and a standing list of candidates. Spring arrives, project volume doubles, and you are three techs short with a customer list that will not wait. Sound familiar? This is for owners and operations leaders in the trades who need to scale crews…
Read MoreManufacturing Technician Turnover: Early Warning Signs (2027)
Teach manufacturing plants to recognize early warning signs of technician dissatisfaction, compensation drift, lack of growth, unsafe conditions. Proactive retention strategies with data-driven approaches.
Read MoreHow HVAC Contractors Can Compete for Talent With Commercial Giants Like Ryder and FedEx
Honest look at what local and mid-sized HVAC contractors offer versus large commercial employers in Jacksonville. Strategies to attract talent despite lower budgets, culture, flexibility, job security, advancement.
Read MoreHow to Become an HVAC Technician in 2027 (Step by Step)
Quick answer: Becoming an HVAC technician takes four steps: meet the entry requirements, complete a training program, finish an apprenticeship and earn your EPA 608 certification. This guide explains each step, what HVAC technicians do day to day and what the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports for pay, so you can plan your path from…
Read MoreWhy Data Center Construction Is Driving Skilled Trades Demand in 2026
Related Reading: Construction Labor Shortage 2026 | 10 Trades with Worst Worker Shortages Why data center construction is turbocharging Indiana’s skilled trades demand Indiana has been solidifying its reputation as a hub for data center development. The growth isn’t just about more buildings; it’s about the specific trades those projects require, electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and…
Read MoreWhat It Costs to Hire a Skilled Trades Worker in 2027
Quick answer: Hiring a skilled trades worker costs more than the wage on the offer letter. The real figure includes payroll taxes, benefits, tools and vehicles, the cost of finding the person, and the revenue lost while the position sits empty. This comparison breaks each cost down so you can see what a hire really…
Read MoreWill AI Replace Skilled Trades Workers? What Employers Should Know (2027)
Quick answer: AI is changing how trades work gets planned, diagnosed, and documented. Hands on work still needs skilled people. Related Reading: How AI Is Changing the Trades in 2026 | Blue Collar Labor Shortage 2026 For more context, read why your job is safer than you think. Short answer: no. Not for the trades…
Read MoreWhy Trades Candidates Ghost Your Job Offers (And How to Stop It in 2026)
Related Reading: How to Write a Job Description That Attracts Tradespeople | 7 Reasons Tradespeople Are Quitting Ghosting often ties back to a bad experience on the job — see 7 reasons top tradespeople are quitting.
Read MoreThe Hidden Cost of Slow Hiring in Trades: A June 2026 Benchmark
Move beyond the ‘cost-per-hire’ angle already covered. Focus on the operational cost of open positions: lost revenue per day unfilled, crew inefficiency, customer turnover, and safety risk. Provide a calculator template readers can use with their own numbers. Use industry-specific examples (HVAC peak season delays, electrical job stalls, plumbing emergency response failures). Tie this to urgency in summer hiring.
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