In the skilled trades, we are blessed with growing, emerging, and maturing businesses. There’s a need for data scientists. High-level accountants. Expert marketers, engaging trainers, and strategic thinkers. 

Want to stand out? Our industry has great businesses where employees get to be part of something growing that is not yet colossally large, where they can be seen and grow with the company. Want stability? Businesses in the trades aren’t highly vulnerable to market conditions. We are steady, we’re essential, and we’ll be here.  

And the trades don’t just need young people. Absolutely not. For someone in midlife, or maybe in their 30s or 40s, who is thinking about a career change to the trades, I would invite them to think about the experience, maturity, and value they can bring to these organizations. What skills or attributes do they have that translate well? What discomforts did they find in their previous career where the trades could provide something different? 

For those who enjoy meeting multiple people, working with their hands, and being out in the field, the trades can be a great change of pace. For those with more traditional white-collar business experience, they can add a tremendous amount of value to these growing and emerging companies.  

When someone asks themselves what capabilities they have that are transferable and what brings them fulfillment, I will bet they can find a place for themselves within a trades organization. I think there’s a real opportunity for people in these careers already to speak more directly to others who are already somewhat professionally established and considering a change.  

But we don’t just sit around, waiting for potential employees to find us. Businesses are working hard to recruit their own employees. And when it comes to growing your own workforce, I have seen some really strong communication directed at young people and the choices they’re making. I’ve also seen great results from business owners who bring young people in and allow them to ride along, or get hands-on experience in the trade they’re interested in. 

If you’re not thinking about creating your own apprentice program, you’ll likely have staffing issues in the near future.  

Demand is not going to stop. The phone is not going to stop ringing. If you’re waiting for someone to apply, or if you’re trying to take talent from another company, you will fall behind even faster in the next few years than you already feel today. 

You must create your own internal training program with hands-on experience. Focus on finding great people. They might be at your local restaurant, coffee shop, or within your community network. There are great people out there; and there’s a reason “hire for character and train for skills” is an old saying at this point. The future of the trades depends on what we do now. As business owners in this industry, we have to be more aggressive about pursuing that talent.