THE FUTURE OF SKILED TRADES: GROWTH, LEGACY, AND OPPORTUNITY
At Phoenix Labor Group, we believe that numbers only statistics but representations of people, careers, and communities.
These skilled trades have always been the backbone of America’s growth, and today, they stand at the center as a new chapter unfolds. As industries evolve and new opportunities emerge, the future of the trades is not only about job creation but also about preserving a legacy and preparing the next generation.At a Glance
To help our viewers navigate this post, here’s a quick look at what we’ll cover and how it connects back to the skilled trades and the opportunities shaping our industry.THE NUMBERS AT A GLANCE- Exploring why official projections and real-world hiring needs often tell different stories and what that means for workers and employers.WHY THE NUMBERS DON’T ALWAYS MATCH-Exploring why official projections and real-world hiring needs often tell different stories and what that means for workers and employers.BRIDGING THE GAP-How Phoenix Labor Group connects skilled tradespeople with industries struggling to fill roles, creating stability for workers and value for clients.CULTURE & LEGACY: WHY IT MATTERS-Beyond job growth, the skilled trades carry generational pride and craftsmanship — preserving that culture is as important as meeting demand.THE OPPORTUNITY AHEAD-A forward look at how workers can position themselves for success in high-demand trades and how PLG supports long-term career growth.
THE NUMBERS AT A GLANCE
This month through the PLG Insider we have been tracking labor market data to understand what’s really happening in the workforce. We have compared various sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and American Welding Society(AWS) to understand a clearer picture of where the skill trades stand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects strong demand across key trades with 60% growth overall:· 211,100 new skilled trade jobs will be added by 2033.· Electricians alone account for 66,600 new roles, with nearly 80,000 openings annually.· Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers will see around 45,800 annual openings.The American Welding Society (AWS) also reports that welding and related careers are on track for 12% job growth, aligning with the BLS projection of tens of thousands of openings each year. Zooming out, the skilled trades sector faces a dual reality:· Growth: Federal investments (like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) are driving expansion in shipbuilding, manufacturing, and renewable energy sectors, creating new opportunities across the Gulf Coast and beyond.· Shortages: At the same time, reports forecast a shortfall of 2.1 million unfilled manufacturing jobs by 2030, as older generations retire faster than replacements are trained.These numbers reflect a clear trend: skilled trades are not just sustaining, they are growing. Yet on the underside of that realization lies an urgent challenge: demand is rising faster than the workforce seems to be keeping up, making staffing, training, and recruitment more critical than ever.WHY THE NUMBERS DON’T ALWAYS MATCH
If, like us, you’ve been doing your own digging on the current labor workforce- you may find different organization reporting much different data. An example of this would be data coming out of the Bureau of Labor Statistics versus the American Welding Society. We want to take a closer look at these two organizations, as the data we pulled for our PLG Insider content were derived from these data sources and combined into the numbers we have reported.
A quick overview, for clarification purposes: · BLS takes a conservative approach when relating data to the public. This approach focuses on net new job growth in each occupation. For example, they show welders with just 2% projected growth through 2033.· American Welding Society (AWS) looks at the workforce pipeline more broadly to include real like factors, such as, retirements and industry turnover. This is why the AWS projects 330,000 new welding professionals needed by 2028, or about 82,500 openings annually, as opposed to the BLS.So, why the gap? It comes down to scope:
👉 BLS = growth in new jobs created.
👉 AWS = total demand across new jobs, retirements, and turnover.Both are accurate, each simply measure our industry from different viewpoints that together give us a better outlook on a more realistic scope. Just how each piece is uniquely important to completing and understanding a puzzle; both resources and their data perspectives matter in the name of preparing today’s workforce for tomorrow’s needs. Data is revealing to us, in real time, just how big of a need there is in the United States to sustain the current workload but also to prepare for the projected growth ahead. BRIDGING THE GAP
At Phoenix Labor Group we want all our consumers to be able to digest relatable data, aside from detailed pie graphs and seemingly random percentages. We see ourselves as the “bridge” between these numbers and the real-world workforce. We will continue to interpret both federal data and industry projections to provide a clearer picture not as our main driving force of business but to put into perspective of the scope of work that needs to be observed and maintained industry wise. Whether it is a clearer picture of opportunity and where it lies or reformatting information in a more digestible way.
This balance helps our:· Workers understand where long-term stability and career growth are strongest.· Employers anticipate workforce needs and plan for recruitment before shortages hit.It’s not about choosing one source over another — it’s about collecting and connecting dots to be able to turn around reformat these dots in a digestible way for our workers, clients, and for general public knowledge.CULTURE & LEGACY: WHY IT MATTERS
Skilled trades are more than jobs — they’re legacies. Generations have built livelihoods, families, and communities on these professions. From electricians powering cities to welders shaping the backbone of infrastructure; the skilled trades sector isn’t just about filling a “job”, to us, it is a culture. A culture defined by resilience, skill, and service. As we prepare for the future, we remember to honor that legacy by acknowledging a means more than just filling positions. It requires understanding the full picture of our industry. We will compare cross-data from organizations like the BLS and AWS. Our part in bridging the gap between raw statistics and real-world workforce needs.Our work isn’t just about digesting numbers for ourselves; it’s about lending our voice to help others make sense of them, too. Because when workers, employers, and communities all have a clearer understanding of the opportunities that lie ahead; we all can carry forward the culture of craftsmanship with confidence.At Phoenix Labor Group, that’s one part of our legacy, connecting hard work to high-demand careers while helping ensure the trades remain strong for the generations to come.
THE OPPORTUNITY AHEAD
One thing is for certain; the data is clear- demand is rising and opportunity is here knocking on our doors. Whether you’re a skilled-worker ready to step into a trade or an employer preparing for the future, the skilled trades are where growth, stability, and legacy meet. And at Phoenix Labor Group, we’re proud to help build this future — one connection at a time. We are honored and excited to be walking through these doors of opportunity with our workers and project clients. 
