Your source for construction industry news in the Carolinas
America’s Biggest Companies Are Betting on the Skilled Trades. The Construction Industry Should Pay Attention. For years, the national focus centered on four-year college degrees, while careers in the skilled trades often received far less attention. Today, that narrative is shifting—and some of the world’s most recognizable companies are leading the charge. BlackRock, Carhartt, Ford…
For decades, workforce development followed a fairly predictable model. Construction industry workforce programs focused on developing the skilled trades needed to build projects. Manufacturers invested in training programs designed to prepare workers to operate facilities once they opened. Utilities trained the technicians needed to maintain power systems. Each sector largely developed talent pipelines aligned with…
TradesFutures announced a new initiative to modernize skilled trades training and expand access to in-demand, high-wage careers, supported by funding from Google’s philanthropy, Google.org. As the U.S. economy modernizes, traditional trades are rapidly evolving. Building the next generationof American infrastructure—from grid modernization to advanced manufacturing—requires aworkforce of skilled tradespeople. Across the U.S., demand for skilled…
As North Carolina continues to attract advanced manufacturing, data centers, energy projects, and infrastructure investment, one challenge has emerged as a common denominator across nearly every major project: finding enough skilled electricians. To help address that challenge, Duke Energy has joined the newly launched Careers Electric coalition, a national workforce initiative focused on expanding pathways…
As demand for data centers, advanced manufacturing facilities, healthcare campuses, and energy infrastructure continues to accelerate, one challenge remains consistent across nearly every sector: finding enough skilled trades professionals to build, maintain, and operate increasingly complex systems. To help address that challenge, Charlotte-based PowerChampions and the American Skilled Trades Academy (ASTA) have announced a strategic…
Associated Builders and Contractors today released the results of a new survey conducted by The Harris Poll in six battleground states—Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin—which found that nonunion skilled trades workers—who make up nearly 90% of the construction workforce—are an influential voting bloc in elections and were the driving force behind Republicans’ success in 2024, including the election of…
As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms industries and becomes an essential jobsite tool for construction and industrial businesses, a new national study from DEWALT, Stanley Black & Decker’s (NYSE: SWK) professional brand, reveals an emerging disconnect – the construction workforce is eager for AI, but lacks the hands-on training needed to unlock its full potential. Experience…
BlackRock’s recent $100 million investment in skilled trades training is more than a philanthropic announcement. It is a clear signal about where the U.S. economy is headed—and what it will take to sustain growth over the next decade. At a time when headlines are dominated by artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and massive infrastructure spending, BlackRock’s…
As the skilled trades industry faces a massive retirement cliff over the next decade, The Home Depot Foundation is providing funding to help schools and skilled trades training organizations make the physical improvements they need to attract and retain the next generation of skilled tradespeople. The Foundation is now accepting applications for Path to Pro Education…
According to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2025 Union Members Summary released today, 11.1% of U.S. construction industry workers belong to a union, an increase from 10.3% in 2024, versus 88.9% who do not. The BLS reported that 995,000 construction industry workers were members of a union, while 8…
