Skilled trades are the backbone of the U.S. economy. However, there’s a shortage of tradesmen to fill essential roles in trade industries. Some reasons for this shortage include an aging workforce that’s retiring faster than people are entering the trades, a long-standing bias that favors college education, and a societal stigma that sees the trades as less prestigious compared to white-collar professions.

Millions of employees across industries have joined a mass exodus from the workplace, known as the Great Resignation, instigated by the pandemic. This tight labor market has returned the upper hand to American workers. Phrases such as “quiet quitting” and “act your wage” have become popularized as employees find community with others who don’t feel appropriately valued or appreciated by their employers.

It’s not new news that there’s a shortage of skilled workers, making recruiting in the trades feel nearly impossible. Not having enough workers to keep up with production is a major problem that needs solving—but how?

In Deloitte’s article, Creating Pathways For Tomorrow’s Workforce Today, they cite key findings from the 2021 Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute Manufacturing Talent study—some of which we’ll review in this blog.

If you need to find a reputable tradesman, you’re likely having difficulty, given the skilled trades shortage. 

The skilled trades are a cornerstone of the American economy. However, many industries are currently experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, leaving businesses scrambling to find talent to fill essential roles.