Author: Skipper Stevens
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Time is Money—So Why Waste It Chasing Jobs That Go Nowhere?
All of us are looking to get the most bang for the buck from almost anything we do that requires our effort. Always moving upward in our career is no exception. Whether people know it or not, tradespeople are often very busy and are often juggling multiple projects and deadlines. There are times when it…
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Why It’s Harder Than It Should Be to Find Work in the Trades
If you’re a tradesperson, you know the work is out there—but finding it can be frustrating. Because while it is true that there are many quality jobs out there for tradespeople, the fact is that many of the ways for finding jobs have been created for non-trade candidates. There are dozens of online job boards…
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Bridging the Skills Gap in a Tech-Driven Trades Landscape
This is the fourth part in my followup series to a previous article titled, “Bridging the Trades Jobs Gap: Four Key Factors to Watch”. In this post I address technology in the skilled trades and how new and seasoned tradespersons alike can benefit from having technical skills. The Evolving Role of Technology in the Trades…
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Old Hands, New Blood: Filling the Trades Gap
Old Hands, New Blood: Filling the Trades Gap This is the third part in my follow-up series to a previous article titled “Bridging the Trades Jobs Gap: Four Key Factors to Watch”. In this post I will address an older trades workforce and the need for younger workers to fill the workforce gap. The Retirement…
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Skilled Trade Careers Vs Non-Trade Careers – Money Matters
This is the second part in my followup series to a previous article titled, “Bridging the Trades Jobs Gap: Four Key Factors to Watch”. In this post I will address salaries and debt, as well as other points of comparison that impact the choice between skilled trades or non-trades as career paths.. When comparing skilled…
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Comparing Onshore and Offshore Pros and Cons
Based on the results from a poll that I did recently it appears that when it comes to onshore or offshore manufacturing, a hybrid approach may be preferable. While the following article from Savills Industrial Property is from 2024, it is still very pertinent. You can read the article here.
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The Good and the Not So Good of the Evolving Work Model: Insights for Today’s Workforce
When considering where we work, how we interact with each other, and the motivations/satisfactions tied to our work life, there was a defining moment in time. The pandemic split time into two eras, Before COVID and After COVID. The differences that exist between Before COVID and After COVID have truly brought about an evolution. Those…
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Where Did All the Shop Classes Go?
In a previous article I noted four primary reasons for the increasing gap in the skilled trades workforce. A Lack of Awareness, Salaries and Debt, An Aging Workforce and Gaps in Skills and Training. Over the next several articles, I’d like to dig into each of these a bit more. For this article, I’ll explore…
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Things may be turning around for those in the skilled trades—but are we ready to meet the demand?
As we see more companies reshore manufacturing and industrial operations, the challenge to find enough qualified welders, electricians, HVAC techs, and other trade professionals is rapidly growing. Yet many of these essential roles remain unfilled. This recent Forbes article breaks down why the skilled trades are becoming one of the most in-demand—and under-supported—sectors in today’s…
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Bridging the Trades Jobs Gap: Four Key Factors to Watch
As discussed in a previous article on onshoring and reshoring, the push to bring manufacturing and industrial operations back to the United States is gaining momentum. But this shift raises an important question: Is the U.S. workforce ready to meet the growing demand for skilled trades? Skilled trades have always played a big role in…
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Industry Watch – May 16th, 2025
More and more companies are bringing manufacturing back to the U.S.—a trend known as onshoring, or reshoring—to avoid problems with overseas supply chains. These businesses are investing in American factories to have more control and fewer delays. To read the full article at Design 2 Part Magazine click here.
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Beyond the Catchphrase: Why Is Onshoring Important For The U.S. Job Market?
What is Onshoring? Before we discuss the criticality of onshoring for the US, we first need to define what onshoring is. Basically, onshoring is relocating a company’s business operations and/or manufacturing back to the country where that company is based. How Has the Focus on Onshoring Evolved? How Do Trade Imbalances Affect Onshoring Strategies? As…
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Transitioning From Public to Private Sector Employment
Considering the current trend toward government efficiency, there will likely be many government employees looking for private sector jobs. Although the full magnitude of the current shift is not completely clear, what is clear is that a notable pool of government employees will be transitioning from public to private sector employment. In charting this type…