Latest news with #skilledtrades
National Post
6 hours ago
- Business
- National Post
National Defense Manufacturing Program Marks Major Graduation Milestone
ATDM celebrates 1,000th graduate since launch of program. Article content DANVILLE, Va. — Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) recently celebrated its 1,000th program completer, highlighting the program's continued success in building the defense workforce. Article content 'ATDM has given me a second chance at having a fulfilling career that provides a true sense of purpose,' said Claypool. 'It's not just a job, it's a path that has equipped me with skills that I'll carry with me for the rest of my life.' Article content Glenn Claypool was recognized as the 1,000th program completer and joined fellow students in celebrating the cohort's completion of the 16-week rigorous workforce training. Claypool discovered ATDM after completing a bachelor's degree in business management and working in sales before deciding to pursue certification in non-destructive testing. Article content 'ATDM has given me a second chance at having a fulfilling career that provides a true sense of purpose,' said Claypool. 'It's not just a job, it's a path that has equipped me with skills that I'll carry with me for the rest of my life.' Article content Created to support defense manufacturing initiatives across the United States and supply workers for the maritime industrial base, ATDM is well on its way toward its goal of 800-1,000 skilled tradespeople completing the program each year. Article content 'Reaching 1,000 ATDM graduates bolsters a skilled workforce that our maritime industrial base needs urgently,' said Matt Sermon, direct reporting program manager of the Maritime Industrial Base Program. 'ATDM graduates are contributing directly to building and sustaining our Fleet. As we scale this proven model nationwide, we're helping our maritime industrial base develop the workforce needed to maintain maritime superiority for generations to come.' Article content Graduating students complete 600 hours of intensive, hands-on training over 16 weeks, earning certifications in one of five high-demand defense industry skilled trades. These are high-paying careers in additive manufacturing, CNC machining, non-destructive testing, quality control inspection (metrology) and welding. Article content 'ATDM's Maritime Training Center is a vital component of the work we do at IALR to support and pioneer new accelerated training methods that build the future workforce for defense, maritime and advanced manufacturing,' said Telly Tucker, president of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR). Article content Congresswoman Jen Kiggans addressed the finishing cohort at their completion ceremony, highlighting her unique connection to ATDM's purpose as a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, as well as being a Navy veteran herself and the wife of a Navy veteran. Article content 'This year the ATDM program is celebrating another major milestone, its 1,000th graduate, and that number represents the 1,000 men and women trained with the specialized skills needed to rebuild American manufacturing and support our defense industrial base, and that's something to be proud of,' said Congresswoman Kiggans. 'Graduates of this program are not just entering a workforce; you are stepping into a mission. Whether you're heading to shipyards, maritime manufacturing facilities or defense plants across the country – your work will directly impact our national security.' Article content A distinguishing feature of the ATDM program is that students are prepared for the workforce beyond technical training. ATDM staff assist with resume development, interview preparation and direct employer connections, leading to an 85% employment rate for completers within a month of finishing the program. ATDM partners with more than 200 employers across the United States for job placement as well as job training, a strong indicator of the program's success. Article content 'ATDM has been a tremendous asset to our workforce development efforts. The program consistently turns out graduates who are not just technically capable, but ready to contribute from day one,' said Kristi Rowe, people director at Keel. 'One of our recent hires has already made a strong impression in his welding role—bringing precision, confidence, and a solid grasp of quality standards. What really stands out is how well ATDM's training aligns with the real-world demands of our work. It makes the transition from training to the job smooth and effective. We're excited about the future and look forward to continuing this successful partnership.' Article content 'I've met people from a wide range of backgrounds, different cultures, life experiences, education levels and career paths, but the one thing we all share is that we came to ATDM looking for new skills and opportunities,' said Claypool. Article content MEDIA KIT Article content About ATDM Article content Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) was created to teach the skills needed to increase military equipment production in the United States. The program is located at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville, Virginia. Students at ATDM are trained in the skills needed to repair, upfit and build submarines, and these skills are transferable to other defense industry companies. Students earn the certifications needed to secure great-paying, in-demand defense industry jobs in these skilled trades: Additive Manufacturing, CNC Machining, Non-Destructive Testing, Quality Control Inspection (also known as Metrology) and Welding. For additional information, visit Article content About IALR Article content Article content Article content Article content Media Contact Article content Article content Article content
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
"AI Won't Stop Your Water Heater From Leaking" : Lowe's CEO Says Skilled Trades Are Gen Z's Job Security Hack
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Lowe's Companies (NYSE:LOW) CEO Marvin Ellison says generative AI won't eliminate all jobs — especially those in skilled trades and customer-facing roles. He recently argued at a business gathering that "manual and customer-facing less likely to be replaced by AI." He emphasized frontline resilience: "AI won't stop your water heater from leaking. It isn't going to respond to an electrical issue in your home," illustrating the limits of automation. Skilled Trades Beat The Robots "It's not going to respond to an electrical issue in your home," Ellison said in June at the Business Roundtable CEO Workforce Forum. He urged early-career workers to "stay as close to the cash register as you can — stay close to the customers." The point was clear: When a pipe bursts, human skill still matters more than artificial intelligence. Don't Miss: 7,000+ investors have joined Timeplast's mission to eliminate microplastics—now it's your turn to $100k+ in investable assets? – no cost, no obligation. To address that challenge, the Business Roundtable named Ellison and Carrier Global (NYSE:CARR) CEO David Gitlin as co-chairs of a skilled trades initiative unveiled in June. The plan shares training playbooks and K-12 outreach across 150 companies, tackling a talent gap that leaves about 20 openings for each qualified welder, plumber, or line worker. Numbers Signal A Shortfall Federal data backs him up. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for electricians to jump 11% between 2023 and 2033. Plumbers and roofers each log 6% growth, while construction laborers rise 7%. The agency estimates about 80,200 electrician openings each year, driven largely by retirements — proof that machines still need power and pipes. Trending: Accredited Investors: Grab Pre-IPO Shares of the AI Company Powering Hasbro, Sephora & MGM— Demand is already spilling into entry-level hiring. LinkedIn's "Grad Guide 2025: The Jobs, Industries and Cities on the Rise for New Grads," shows construction, utilities, and oil, gas and mining leading growth for new bachelor's graduates. Between 2022 to 2032, a McKinsey analysis finds that annual hiring for essential skilled roles will need to be more than 20 times the projected annual increase in net new jobs — a churn rate no chatbot can solve alone. New Money, New Pipeline Corporate checks are arriving. The Lowe's Foundation earmarked $50 million in Gable Grants to prepare 50,000 tradespeople by 2027, saying the funding "is vital to address America's workforce shortage." Business Roundtable firms plan to pair that cash with shared curricula and community college partnerships to match supply with demand, in an update to its 2018 Workforce Partnership AI's trajectory remains contested. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei in May that the technology could erase 50% of entry‑level office roles and push unemployment to between 10% and 20%. "We have yet to see any evidence of mass replacement," Brad Lightcap, chief operating officer of OpenAI, said on the "Hard Fork" podcast. Meanwhile, BlackRock Inc. (NYSE:BLK) CEO Larry Fink said at CERAWeek in March that the U.S. could "run out of electricians," underscoring a gap robots cannot fill. Read Next: Many are using retirement income calculators to check if they're on pace — Image: Shutterstock This article "AI Won't Stop Your Water Heater From Leaking" : Lowe's CEO Says Skilled Trades Are Gen Z's Job Security Hack originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Trades Workers: Oatey Co. Leads Plumbing Workshop at Girls' Construction Camp
Oatey associates mentor students at the 'Let's Build Construction Careers' Camp for Girls in Canfield, Ohio, which immerses middle and high school girls in the skilled trades Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Trades Workers: Oatey Co. Leads Plumbing Workshop at Girls' Construction Camp Inspiring the Next Generation of Female Trades Workers: Oatey Co. Leads Plumbing Workshop at Girls' Construction Camp CANFIELD, Ohio, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Associates from Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry, volunteered for the third consecutive year at the 'Let's Build Construction Careers' Camp for Girls, held June 18 at Mahoning County Career & Technical Center (MCCTC) in Canfield, Ohio. As a returning sponsor, Oatey developed and delivered a hands-on plumbing training designed to introduce campers to real-world skills and career opportunities in the trades. The mission of the 'Let's Build Construction Careers' Camp for Girls is to empower girls ages 12–17 to explore career paths in skilled trades, construction and manufacturing—fields where women have traditionally been underrepresented. This free, week-long program offers experiential learning, field trips and mentorship, providing early exposure to high-demand careers like plumbing, pipefitting, electrical work, welding, drywall installation, bricklaying and more. Oatey volunteers, led by Technical Specialist Jim Eichenser, facilitated a 'Plumbing 101' workshop. Throughout the day, they instructed and mentored campers rotating through skill stations focused on core plumbing fundamentals, including solvent welding PVC pipe, installing washer supply boxes and sink strainers, pulling and setting toilets and soldering copper pipe. 'The level of interest and enthusiasm these campers showed was truly inspiring,' said Eichenser. 'Introducing them to experiences like this early on is so important—not just for building technical skills, but for helping them gain confidence and see the breadth of opportunities in the skilled trades. Exposure like this can be the spark that shapes a future career.' The interactive training format encouraged active participation and created a supportive space for campers to ask questions, try new tools and gain practical insight into plumbing careers. 'Being able to give back and show these young girls what's possible in the trades was incredibly rewarding,' added Sherya Jackson, Associate Product Manager at Oatey and first-time camp volunteer. 'They were eager, capable and asked thoughtful questions throughout the day. It was clear they saw the value in what they were learning. Watching their growth as they moved through each task was a powerful reminder of why programs like this matter.' Two female pipefitters from Local Union 396 also partnered with Oatey to support the soldering station, providing technical guidance and sharing their career journeys. Their presence brought valuable mentorship and perspective, giving campers the opportunity to learn directly from women working in the field. As labor shortages continue to challenge the skilled trades, Oatey's involvement in mentorship and career exploration reflects its commitment to developing future talent and advancing diversity in the industry. To learn more about Oatey's efforts to support the skilled trades talent pipeline, listen to its podcast The Fix and visit ABOUT OATEY CO. Since 1916, Oatey has provided reliable, high-quality products for the residential and commercial plumbing industries, with a commitment to delivering quality, building trust and improving lives. Today, Oatey operates a comprehensive manufacturing and distribution network to supply thousands of products for professional builders, contractors, engineers and do-it-yourself consumers around the world. Oatey is based in Cleveland, Ohio, and has locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and China. For more information, visit call (800) 321-9532 or follow Oatey on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram. CONTACT:John O'ReillyMadelyn YoungGreenhouse Digital + PRjohn@ Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
Forbes
23-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Next AI Frontier? The Trades Quietly Ditching Google And Yelp
Workers attach siding to a house at a new home construction site in Trappe, Maryland, on October 28, ... More 2022. - New home sales in the US dipped in September, official data showed on October 26, 2022, as worsening affordability nudges ownership further out of reach for many. Sales soared during the coronavirus pandemic as Americans snapped up homes on the back of bargain mortgage rates, but the sector has cooled with the US Federal Reserve hiking lending rates as it fights to bring down surging inflation. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) While headlines remain dominated by artificial intelligence breakthroughs in software development, financial modeling, and enterprise productivity, another AI revolution is taking shape in a less glamorous—but far more essential—corner of the economy: skilled trades. Plumbers, HVAC technicians, cleaners, electricians, and general contractors—who collectively support over 10 million jobs in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics—are increasingly turning away from legacy lead-generation platforms like Google Ads, Yelp, and Angi. Their frustrations are no longer anecdotal. Across Reddit threads, industry forums, and small business associations, the message is clear: The traditional online advertising ecosystem no longer works for service providers on the ground. 'Yelp's advertising model is broken—high cost per click, low-quality leads, and zero accountability. It feels like we're paying to compete with ourselves.' as written on a popular subreddit thread: Reddit, r/smallbusiness. This widespread disillusionment is driving demand for a new generation of tools—ones that prioritize automation, transparency, and profitability over pay-to-play exposure—and increasingly, are powered by AI. And venture capital is flowing to meet it. Volca's $5.5 million seed round led by Pathlight Ventures puts a new spin on solving this market challenge, following funding for PipeDreams with $25 million, NiceJob with $3 million, and Netic raising $20 million. A Market Primed for Unprecedented Growth The U.S. home services market reached $90.63 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a robust 7.2% CAGR to reach $181.64 billion by 2034, according to Expert Market Research. But that's just the beginning—the broader global home services market is expected to reach $1.03 trillion by 2029, expanding at a CAGR of 10.5%. U.S. homeowner spending on maintenance and renovation is projected to reach $526 billion by Q1 2026, according to Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies. The remodeling sector, despite some recent cooling, is still expected to reach $509 billion in 2025. Yet digital adoption in this space remains surprisingly limited—a 2023 Thumbtack survey found that nearly 70% of service providers still rely primarily on word-of-mouth or repeat business rather than digital ads or marketplaces to acquire new customers. Even more striking is the digital transformation within this space. The online on-demand home services segment alone is projected to explode from its current size to $2.3 trillion by 2034, growing at an unprecedented 19.7% CAGR. This represents a fundamental shift in how Americans access and pay for home services. This comes as search is becoming a closed loop: Google synthesizes an answer, sometimes even auto-calls a business, and the user never visits a directory—or a contractor's site. Zero‑click behavior isn't new, but AI is accelerating it. For intermediaries that thrived on click-throughs—Yelp included—the squeeze is real; something Yelp acknowledges in its SEC filings. And as the unfiltered Reddit posts make clear, pros are tired of paying to rent attention. The Confidence Factor: 77% of Professionals Expect Growth Recent industry surveys reveal remarkable optimism among trades professionals. According to a November 2024 report by HouseCall Pro, 77% of service professionals expect their business to grow over the next year, with 40% anticipating growth of more than 10%. This confidence stems from what industry experts call the "indispensable nature" of the home services sector—homes represent the largest asset most people own, and trades professionals provide essential maintenance and improvement services that cannot be outsourced or delayed indefinitely. "Having a strong referral rewards program has been a game-changer for our business,' said Shafer Heating and Cooling (SH&C) CEO Nathan Shafer. 'Volca's platform makes it incredibly easy to track, manage, and reward those who refer us—turning word-of-mouth into one of our most powerful growth tools.' The Evolving Competitive Landscape The broader landscape of home services tech is rapidly diversifying. Here's how different players are approaching the problem: Unlike lead marketplaces that charge per connection or click—often regardless of conversion—entrants like Volca, ResponsiBid and NiceJob focus on pipeline ownership. Their pitch: help businesses generate, nurture, and close leads from their own customer base instead of relying on expensive, opaque third-party platforms. Volca's flagship product is an SMS-based referral system that uses artificial intelligence to automatically extract key details from text messages with homeowners, match them to the right business systems within a CRM, aid in automated marketing, and close the loop with secure payments for end to end referral programs. Early adopters have reported up to $70,000 per month in new revenue within six months of implementation, with some customers exceeding $160,000 in total attributed sales. But it's far from alone in this rapidly evolving space. This shift echoes larger trends in consumer behavior. Trust in online reviews has declined, with a 2024 BrightLocal study finding that 42% of consumers believe they've seen fake reviews on platforms like Yelp and Google. Meanwhile, referral-based trust remains extremely high—over 80% of consumers say they trust recommendations from friends and family more than any form of advertising, according to Nielsen's "Trust in Advertising" global report. List of companies providing services in this space AI as an Enabler—Not a Disruption The application of AI in the trades represents a fundamentally different approach than the automation anxiety plaguing white-collar work. While McKinsey projects that 92 million jobs could be displaced by AI by 2030, the World Economic Forum simultaneously forecasts 170 million new roles emerging. In skilled trades specifically, AI functions as an augmentation tool rather than a replacement technology. Research from CS Recruiting emphasizes this collaborative future: "Artificial Intelligence is creating a boom of more skilled trades jobs, not less, all while making the environments these folks work in more productive, safe, and efficient. The future of skilled trades is not about humans versus machines, but a collaborative environment where experienced workers leverage AI to enhance their capabilities." This augmentation approach is already manifesting in practical applications. AI-powered robots and drones can perform site surveying, structural inspection, and precision tasks in construction, while human expertise remains essential for complex problem-solving, customer interaction, and quality control. The manufacturing robotics market supporting skilled trades is predicted to grow at a 9.1% CAGR between 2021 and 2026. Volca's AI isn't trying to automate service delivery or customer acquisition through abstract scoring systems. Instead, it works in the background to extract insights from CRM data, personalize outreach, and track referrals end-to-end. It's "AI as infrastructure"—empowering time-strapped contractors to focus on the job while the platform quietly grows their business. Not quietly: Early adopters have reported up to $70,000 per month in new revenue within six months of implementation, with some customers exceeding $160,000 in total attributed sales. Other startups are taking similar approaches. ResponsiBid automates bidding for window cleaning and pressure washing services. Schedulicity uses machine learning to optimize service appointments. And ServiceM8 offers automated invoicing and communication tailored for mobile contractors. Home Services Al Companies Positioning Matrix, Positioning based on operational scope vs. customer ... More acquisition focus The Reality Check: AI Adoption Challenges However, the path to widespread AI adoption in skilled trades faces significant headwinds that market projections may underestimate. Recent research from BCG reveals that 74% of companies struggle to achieve and scale value from AI initiatives, with around 70% of implementation challenges stemming from people- and process-related issues, 20% attributed to technology problems, and only 10% involving AI algorithms. The construction and home services sectors face particular barriers. Manufacturing, information services, and healthcare companies report an AI adoption rate of about 12%. Conversely, the construction and retail sectors are at the lower end — with only 4% of companies in these areas taking advantage of AI technology. This stark difference suggests that the optimistic projections for AI adoption in trades may be overly ambitious. A comprehensive survey from Deloitte and Autodesk identified three primary barriers to AI adoption in construction-related industries: A lack of digital skills among employees (cited by 42% of businesses), with this barrier more likely to impact large companies. Additionally, barriers to AI adoption include defining an AI operational model, poor data quality (a concern for 56% of companies), and insufficient employee buy-in. For small trades businesses operating on thin margins, these challenges are magnified. Many contractors lack the technical infrastructure, dedicated IT support, or time to properly implement and maintain AI systems. The promise of automated referrals and CRM integration may sound appealing, but the reality of onboarding, training staff, and troubleshooting technical issues often proves overwhelming for businesses already stretched thin. While the success of this approach is far from guaranteed, early adopters report impressive revenue gains. Of course, what's next is establishing just how replicable these results are across a fragmented industry with wildly varying business sizes, tech maturity, and customer bases. Critics argue that referral automation tools, no matter how smart, may struggle to generate sustained volume in markets where personal relationships and community trust have long trumped digital systems. Proponents, for their part, say these new digital tools are simply providing an accelerated means to that same end: satisfied customers sharing their positive experiences. The skyrocketing popularity of platforms made for home services pros like ServiceTitan, Housecall Pro, and Jobber, may be an indicator of a sector that is ready and eager to adopt modern tools. Small Business Technology Adoption: A Sobering Reality The broader context of small business technology adoption adds another layer of complexity to the AI revolution narrative. While large enterprises may have the resources to experiment with AI tools, small trades businesses operate under different constraints. Despite the increasing adoption of digital technology, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) continue to lag behind larger firms. This technology gap isn't just about access to capital—it's about operational priorities. A contractor spending 60 hours a week on job sites may not have the bandwidth to evaluate, test, and implement new AI tools, regardless of their potential benefits. The "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality remains strong among many trades professionals who have built successful businesses through traditional methods. However, when it comes to acquiring customers and driving revenue, the vast majority of home services businesses are already actively paying for multiple of the following services to grow: advertising, social media, lead aggregators, reviews, etc. Even more, after labor, marketing ranks the largest expense at a home services business, representing 10-30% of ARR. With this in mind, the case could be made that tools like Volca, which are able to effectively consolidate all of these needs into one platform, have the potential to alleviate tool fatigue, time spent managing tech services, and ultimately, the financial burden of trying to keep up with all the different channels to grow a loyal customer base. As tech-savvy millennials replace Boomers and Gen X as home services business owners, we can also expect willingness to engage with new technology to shift toward eager adoption. The challenge is compounded by the fact that 56% of companies cite poor data quality as a major concern when implementing AI systems. Many small trades businesses lack the structured data collection processes necessary to feed AI algorithms effectively. Customer information might be scattered across handwritten notes, basic spreadsheets, and informal text messages—hardly the clean, organized datasets that AI systems require to function optimally. Market Transformation Drivers Several macroeconomic factors are accelerating this transformation: Digital Media Influence: According to Technavio's recent analysis, the increasing influence of digital media is a primary driver of home services market growth, with the global market expected to grow by $6.54 trillion from 2024-2028. Homeownership Trends: The demand for home services is closely linked to rising homeownership rates, with homeowners increasingly seeking professional services for maintenance, renovation, and improvement projects. Labor Market Efficiency: AI systems are improving job matching and reducing both unemployment and under-employment by better connecting workers with opportunities that utilize their specific skillsets. Consumer Behavior Shifts: The convenience economy is driving demand for on-demand services, with consumers increasingly willing to pay premium prices for immediate, high-quality service delivery. Challenges Ahead Despite this momentum, the path to widespread AI adoption in the trades faces significant friction. Many business owners remain wary of technology promises after years of poor results from Google Ads, Yelp, and SEO consultants. Others lack the time, technical fluency, or staffing to trial and adopt new systems—especially when word-of-mouth still "works well enough." Cost remains another concern. While platforms like Volca promise strong ROI, many small businesses operate on thin margins and are risk-averse when it comes to new expenditures. The key differentiator for successful platforms will be demonstrating fast time-to-value, seamless onboarding, and results that speak louder than sales representatives. The Skills Gap Reality The optimistic narrative around AI adoption in trades often overlooks a fundamental challenge: the digital skills gap. A lack of digital skills among employees is cited by 42% of businesses as a barrier to AI adoption, and this challenge is particularly acute in trades where workers have traditionally relied on hands-on experience rather than digital tools. Consider the average HVAC technician or plumber who has built their expertise over decades of practical experience. Asking them to suddenly embrace AI-powered CRM systems, automated messaging platforms, and digital analytics requires not just new tools, but an entirely new way of thinking about their business. The learning curve isn't just technical—it's cultural. This skills gap creates a potential two-tier system within the trades industry. Larger companies with resources for training and dedicated administrative staff may successfully adopt AI tools and gain competitive advantages. Meanwhile, smaller operators who built their businesses on personal relationships and traditional methods may find themselves increasingly at a disadvantage, despite potentially providing superior service quality. What Comes Next The transformation of the trades through AI isn't a flashy disruption story—it's an infrastructure story. Like the electrification of manufacturing or the digitization of accounting, it's about applying technology to make foundational industries more profitable, resilient, and scalable without overcomplicating the core work. "Our customers aren't trying to build unicorns," said Volca co-founder Brendan Kazanjian. "They're trying to build great businesses to support their families and service their communities. Volca gives them the software to do that on their own terms." With the U.S. home services market valued at over $657 billion and experiencing rapid expansion, the integration of AI represents both an opportunity and a necessity. The companies that succeed will be those that understand the unique needs of trades professionals: tools that enhance rather than replace human expertise, platforms that provide ownership rather than dependency, and systems that deliver measurable results without requiring advanced technical knowledge. However, the road to widespread adoption will likely be longer and more challenging than current projections suggest. The gap between enterprise-level AI adoption and the reality of small trades businesses remains significant. Success will depend not just on technological capability, but on addressing the fundamental barriers of skills, resources, and cultural change that define the trades industry. The companies that ultimately succeed in this space will be those that recognize AI adoption in trades isn't just a technology challenge—it's a human challenge. They'll need to provide not just software, but education, support, and solutions that respect the existing strengths of traditional trades businesses while gradually introducing digital enhancement. If the last decade of innovation was about optimizing the knowledge worker, the next one might just be about empowering the contractor. AI won't replace plumbers or HVAC technicians—but it might finally help them grow, compete, and thrive on their own terms in an increasingly digital economy. The quiet revolution in America's trades is just beginning, and its impact may prove far more transformative than the flashier AI applications dominating today's headlines. But the timeline for this transformation may be measured in decades rather than years, and the path forward will require addressing fundamental challenges that go far beyond technology alone.
CTV News
16-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Women's Skilled Trades Workshop provides opportunity to explore future career path
WEST Inc. of Windsor in partnership with UNIFOR Local 444 is hosting a week-long skilled trades workshop for women at the union HQ on Turner Road in Windsor. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor) An in-depth look at learning a skilled trade is the focus of a week-long workshop in Windsor for women. It's a free event this week for women aged 18 and up allowing participants to get an idea of trades training, apprenticeship opportunities and career paths. This project is a collaboration between Women's Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST Inc.) and UNIFOR Local 444. On Tuesday, students were writing tests on some of the hands-on instructional work. 071525 WEST Inc. of Windsor in partnership with UNIFOR Local 444 is hosting a week-long skilled trades workshop for women at the union HQ on Turner Road in Windsor. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor) Stephanie Allen is the program manager of skilled trades at West Inc. Allen is pleased with the turnout so far and excited to see women interested and engaged in this opportunity. 'So they will be with other women that might want to pursue this and build a community of women in the trades and how they can support each other,' said Allen. 'And they can work together to help break down that barrier of what has been seen for a long time as a male dominated workplace, and how to create a safe space for women to do that.' So far this year, WEST has celebrated a milestone, helping 376 women gain technical skills and empowering them to pursue careers in the skilled trades locally and abroad. WEST Inc. has been educating, mentoring and supporting women in Windsor Essex. Their programs aid women in enhancing skills and securing employment. On average each year WEST Inc. assists over 3,000 women in preparing for the labour market. The organization's programs are funded in part by the government of Canada and the government of Ontario.
