In a recent Library Journal webinar hosted by EBSCO, a panel of skilled trade professionals and entrepreneurs described challenges facing the skilled trade industries and emphasized opportunities for libraries to support individuals looking to pursue careers in the skilled trades.
The panelists included Rich and Gina Camacho, co-founders of Blue Recruit (the platform that powers BlueCareer by EBSCOlearning ), and Shannon Yodice and Chris Ortega, co-founders of the Online Tile Academy. Duncan Smith, founder of NoveList and Chief Strategist for EBSCOlearning, served as moderator.
During the session, the panelists shared their unique journeys into the trades, discussed the critical shortage of skilled trade professionals (e.g., the American construction industry alone is facing a shortage of more than 500,000 workers), and offered attendees tips on approaching skilled trade employers and helping them address their hiring needs.
Key takeaways from the webinar
- Factors contributing to the dearth of skilled trade professionals are the stigma of blue-collar work, the outdated perception that the trades are low-tech and low-pay, and the lack of skilled trade exposure and education for young people.
- The advantages of a skilled trade over a desk job include high demand for skilled workers (such as tile setters and HVAC technicians), the short and affordable training required to hit the ground running, the potential for entrepreneurship, and the satisfaction of creating something tangible and useful.
- One-quarter of workers are unhappy in their current job and as many as 58 percent are actively considering a career change.
- Approximately 60 percent of libraries expect to see increased demand for services that support job seekers and career changers. Libraries can enhance these services by extending them to those interested in pursuing careers in the skilled trades.
- Individuals interested in pursuing a skilled trade can choose a variety of pathways, including apprenticeships, trade schools and on-the-job training. Libraries are perfectly positioned to connect individuals with these resources and opportunities.
About the panelists
Rich and Gina Camacho are the founders of BlueRecruit, a job platform that connects skilled trade workers with hiring companies. The idea came after Gina’s father posted a job looking for an auto body painter and received 80 resumes for house painters. Rich, an Army veteran and experienced recruiter who often fielded questions from clients about how to find skilled tradespeople, knew there had to be a better way to source blue-collar talent. He and Gina, a former customer success manager, launched BlueRecruit in 2021.
Shannon Yodice and Chris Ortega started out their professional lives as an accountant and a police officer, respectively. However, both realized that they were not happy in their jobs. In 2018, they moved to Texas and opened a general contracting business together. After struggling to find qualified tile subcontractors, the couple began educating themselves and networking with other tile professionals to learn the trade. In 2020, they scaled back their business to focus exclusively on tile setting. Yodice began sharing her learning on social media as ThatTileChick, and she and Ortega launched Online Tile Academy soon after.
Assessing your local skilled trades ecosystem
Librarians can take several steps to identify the support needs of trades professions in their communities. Consider these strategies:
- Engage with local trade associations or chambers of commerce to learn about the challenges and needs of professionals in their respective trades. Here’s a list of reputable trade associations to get you started.
- Design surveys or host focus groups targeting trades professionals to learn about their needs, challenges, and where they require support.
- Talk with tradespeople you already know and use. Ask them to describe their biggest challenges and needs.
- Leverage your library’s relationship with local schools. Vocational/CTE schools often have close ties to the trades and can provide insights into the skills and resources needed by professionals in those fields. They can also connect you with young adults interested in pursuing a trade.
- Establish connections with local businesses that employ trades professionals. By networking with business owners or managers, librarians can gain insights into the skills and support systems that are essential for success in the trades.
- Participate in community events such as job fairs, trade shows or workshops.
- Seek input from librarians in similar communities to exchange ideas and strategies for supporting trades professions. They may have valuable insights or experiences to share.
Three ways libraries can help those interested in exploring or entering the trades
- Provide information and resources on the different trades, the required certifications, and the local employers.
- Partner with career and technical education (CTE) high schools, trade schools, community colleges, and other organizations to offer access and guidance to learners. Consider collaborating on a trade school job fair.
- Host programs and events that showcase the skilled trades and connect people with trade professionals, trade organizations and prospective employers. BlueCareer by EBSCOlearning enables libraries to offer a 24/7 virtual job fair.
