The Opportunity is There, Explore the Trades
AJ Waters AJ Waters

The Opportunity is There, Explore the Trades

We don’t have a labor shortage problem in construction. We have a story problem.

We talk about demand, stability, earning potential and even long-term growth. But despite all of that, we still can’t attract enough people to fill the need. The opportunities alone aren’t compelling enough to make someone choose construction.

It’s a contradiction that’s hard to ignore.

And that’s where Explore the Trades steps in. Not to simply promote the trades, but to connect the next generation in a way that draws them in.

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Celebrating Labor Day: A Tribute to the Hands That Built Our World
AJ Waters AJ Waters

Celebrating Labor Day: A Tribute to the Hands That Built Our World

Few people know where I got my real start in construction. My dad had a bright idea to throw his punk kid on a landscaping crew to teach him the importance of hard work.

So, for two summers of my life, I pushed mowers, built decks, emptied garbage cans and sweated through every layer of clothing I had. There was nothing glamorous (or safe) about it, but those summers taught me something I’ll never forget: what it feels like to put your body on the line, day after day, in the service of work that shapes the community around you.

That’s what Labor Day is all about: celebrating the men and women who sweat, strain and sacrifice to make our built world possible.

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A tall New York City skyscraper under construction with a red crane on top, partially covered with modern glass panels, next to an older building with traditional architecture.