America is facing a critical shortage of skilled trades workers. It’s time we support them, honor their value, celebrate their impact, and help the next generation see a bright future without the college debt.
Skilled Trades Advocacy of America
Strengthening our nation through the hands that build and protect it.
Resources & Further Reading
Tradespeople Wanted: The Need for Critical Trade Skills in the U.S.
Wages in critical trades like welding, plumbing, and electrical work have risen more than 20% since 2020, but retirements and training bottlenecks mean demand continues to outpace supply.
Read MoreAddressing the Skilled Trade Shortage: A Focus on Welders.
With the average U.S. welder nearing 55 years old, an estimated 330,000 new welders will be needed by 2028 to keep pace with infrastructure and manufacturing demand.
Read MoreStrategies for Overcoming Skilled Trades Labor Shortages in 2025.
Employers face persistent shortages in skilled trades, driven by aging workers, negative stereotypes, and limited training pipelines. Solutions include apprenticeships, retention programs, and workplace culture improvements.
Read MoreUrgent Need for Blue-Collar Revival: Shift Mindsets, Invest in Skills.
Society’s overemphasis on college degrees has worsened the skills gap. The U.S. must revalue blue-collar work and invest in vocational training to rebuild its workforce.
Read MoreMore Ohioans Embracing Skilled Trades.
Vocational and apprenticeship programs are seeing a surge of interest, yet retirements and rising demand mean shortages persist across welding, electrical, and construction fields.
Read MoreThe High-School Juniors With $70,000-a-Year Job Offers.
To meet labor shortages, companies are recruiting high school juniors directly into skilled trades like welding and plumbing with offers surpassing $70,000 a year.
Read MoreAnnual hiring for critical skilled trades is >22× America's net new job growth
Average yearly flows in U.S. critical trade roles (2022–2032 projection window). This graphic recreates McKinsey’s data in STA branding with clear attribution.
Critical trade examples
Carpenters • Construction laborers • Electricians • Glaziers • HVAC mechanics/installers • Industrial‑machinery mechanics & millwrights • Ironworkers • Material‑moving operators • Plumbers/pipe fitters/steamfitters • Solar PV installers • Welders • Wind‑turbine service techs
Source (data): McKinsey & Company, Tradespeople Wanted: The Need for Critical Trade Skills in the U.S. (2024), using BLS Occupational Outlook + McKinsey analysis. Original graphic and discussion available at
mckinsey.com.
This is a visual recreation for educational/advocacy use; do not remove the attribution above.
3 in 5 employers in the trades can’t find enough qualified workers.
The average age of a welder is 55+, with mass retirements looming.
By 2028, America will need 330,000 in welding alone to keep up with demand.
By 2030, the U.S. could be short over 2 million skilled tradespeople across construction, manufacturing, energy and other essential services.
Demand for skilled trades is growing faster than nearly every other sector — yet the pipeline of trained workers continues to shrink.
If we don’t make investments in our trades now, we will be leaving infrastructure and essential services at risk.