The Collective Responsibility to Promote Skilled Trades: Why Society Needs to Highlight the Trades as a Respected Career Path

 

Despite the common emphasis on college degrees as the primary route to success, skilled trades offer a crucial and undervalued pathway for career development. As industries report a severe skills shortage, the necessity for a robust workforce of skilled laborers becomes undeniable. The Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights this urgency in its report on fast-declining occupations. Are skilled trades the underestimated backbone of our economy? How can we shift societal perceptions and promote skilled trades as a viable career option?

Join host Greg Crumpton on Straight Outta Crumpton as he welcomes Steve Turner, the founder of Bring Back The Trades. They dive into the essential role of trade in today’s economy and discuss innovative ways to promote and revitalize these crucial careers.

Highlights from the discussion:

  • Challenges in the Trades: Addressing the current shortage of skilled tradespeople and the societal undervaluing of these essential careers.
  • Impact of Education on Trade Careers: How educational systems and parental perspectives can promote skilled trades as respected career paths.
  • Future of the Trades: Strategies to engage more young people and career changers in skilled trades through outreach, education, and incentives.

Steve Turner is the founder of Bring Back the Trades, an organization dedicated to promoting skilled trades as a desirable career option. With a personal journey rooted in the trades, Turner has evolved from an apprentice to a successful entrepreneur in the upholstery business, now leveraging his experience to advocate for the trades through scholarships and public outreach.

Article written by MarketScale.

Recent Episodes

The HVAC industry is undergoing significant growth, driven by increased suburban migration and a surge in home renovations requiring system upgrades. The U.S. HVAC market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4% from 2025 to 2030. As businesses scale to meet this demand, balancing expansion with retaining strong…

The HVAC industry is no longer just about furnaces and air conditioners, and neither is HVAC media. It’s an ever-evolving ecosystem, shaped by technological advances, regulatory changes, and shifting workforce dynamics. With more than a century of history, publications catering to HVAC-related news, such as ACHR News, have played a crucial role in keeping…

The ever-changing public relations and marketing landscape requires authentic storytelling and strong relationships. As industries evolve with emerging technologies, companies must connect with their audiences by fostering trust and understanding their core values. Research highlights a clear divide in brand trust, with only 29% of low-income earners trusting their brands compared to 38% of…