Trades Treasure, Smarter Hiring & The Talent Gap - May 7 2025

Happy Wednesday, HR Pros! 🌟 It’s National Skilled Trades Day — a reminder that not every hero wears a suit. Some weld, wire, and wrench. Let’s rethink how we hire, train, and grow talent in every trade.

On the agenda: 

💎 Trades treasure: The skilled trades shortage is very real
🤓 Smarter hiring: Top strategies for 2025
🚱 The talent gap: Which roles are in demand — and thriving?

THE HR SPOTLIGHT

Skilled Yet Scarce: Why Trades Talent Is the Real Treasure

This day marks National Skilled Trades Day — and if you’re struggling to fill roles in plumbing, electrical, or HVAC, you’re not alone. The skilled trades shortage is very real, and it’s tightening talent pipelines like a rusty bolt. ⚙️

The Talent Gap Is Growing

• By 2030, 2.1M jobs are projected to be unfulfilled due to lack of skilled labor.

• Skilled trades are aging quick: the average trades worker is 43, and retirements are outpacing newcomers.

HR's Role: Rebrand & Reskill

• Rethink job branding — ditch outdated stereotypes and highlight high pay, purpose, and career growth.

• Build partnerships with community colleges, unions, and trade schools.

• Reskill from within: Your next top welder might be working in shipping.

🔍 Talent's not hiding — it’s just hands-on. Discover how to bridge the trades talent gap »

TREND WATCH

Talent Shortage Hits 70﹪ — The Roles in Most Demand & Thriving

Exploding Topics - As of 2025, US labor shortage currently sits at 70﹪, five percentage points below the global average. According to ManpowerGroup, three-quarters (75﹪) of employers are struggling to fill job vacancies – that’s the second-highest figure on record since surveys began in 2006, although it’s down from 2023 (77﹪). In fact, the number of employers reporting labor shortages has almost doubled since 2015 (38﹪).

• The US has a labor force participation of 62.7﹪

• The Netherlands has 194 occupations with labor shortages, the most in Europe

• Welders and flame cutters are the most in-demand professionals in Europe (21 countries)

Explore full insights including thriving roles and skills »

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🏢 RTO Is Going Poorly: How Can HR Help? - RTO efforts are faltering—HR must address workspace and employee needs. [HR Dive]

💰 No Tax on Overtime (Bill Status) - A look at the proposed legislation with state-specific details. [HR Digest]

😰 EU Workers Fear Impact of US Corp Culture - Concerns over adopting American workplace practices. [HR Review]

💼 Attracting Top Talent from the Federal Workforce - Strategies for private-sector HR. [WebPro News]

😓 Recruitment, Retention & Turnover: High Stress for HR - A survey highlights these major HR stressors. [Global Recruiter]

HR WISDOM

Hire Smarter, Not Harder: How to Recruit Top Talent

Hiring top talent is a shared goal by every company no matter the size. This, however, can be challenging, considering — among many other factors — the demand and supply for top talent, and the competition that companies are constantly in for said top talent.

It takes some ingenuity and creativity, as well as careful and thorough planning, to make sure that your company is meeting its hiring goals. And that’s what this guide is for.

🆙 Level up with these Smarter Hiring Strategies that don’t just attract, but also retain top talent in 2025 »

BREAKROOM