Why Hiring Skilled Tradesmen Has Never Been More Challenging and How to Overcome It

Hiring highly skilled, trustworthy tradesmen for the home services industry has become an uphill battle. The landscape has shifted dramatically, making it harder than ever to find the right talent and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. Many factors are contributing to this ongoing shortage, and understanding these is the first step toward overcoming it.

What’s Causing the Hiring Struggle?

Outdated Hiring Practices

Many companies still rely on hiring methods designed for a different era. They lack real-time insights into workforce needs, leaving them reacting rather than proactively sourcing top candidates.

Retirements

A significant percentage of skilled tradespeople are reaching retirement age. Recent estimates indicate that around 45 percent of the experienced workforce is nearing retirement or has already retired in the past few years, creating a widening gap that’s tough to fill.

Neglect of Trade Careers

There was a huge decline in vocational education and training programs over the past years. Fewer young people are pursuing trade careers, which means the pool of newly trained talent is shrinking. (It’s starting to shift a little bit, thank goodness.)

Perception Issues

Trade jobs often carry a stigma, viewed as less prestigious compared to white-collar roles. This perception discourages many potential candidates from considering careers in the trades.

Economic Downturns

Broader economic challenges have made it harder for companies to attract skilled workers. When unemployment rises or economic uncertainty looms, top talent tends to hold off on switching jobs or entering new fields.

All of these factors combine to create a shortage of skilled tradespeople that is projected to persist well into 2026 and beyond. For employers, this is a serious challenge and adapting is essential.

What Has Changed in the Market and Recruitment Platforms?

Gone are the days when placing an ad on ZipRecruiter or Indeed would flood your inbox with qualified resumes. The market is different now. A combination of fewer trained tradespeople, aging workforce retirements, and increased competition means you need to be more strategic. 

While there’s been a renewed push to encourage young people into the trades, it takes years of schooling, documented hours working under licensed master tradespeople to earn licenses in many fields. The tests are hard and not everyone prepares. Some give up and don’t have the license but have the experience. The process is rigorous and expensive, often putting resource-strapped young people with growing families at a disadvantage. (And let’s not forget that some people have background issues…making things even more challenging.)

What Should You Do? 

Adopt an “Always Be Looking” Mindset

The most important mindset shift is to continuously seek new talent. This isn’t about reacting to openings it’s about being proactive. Because the window for hiring quality tradesmen is shrinking, think about hiring like your marketing and advertising…always in motion. Your marketing is a percentage of your annual revenue. Recruiting should be approached the same way because if you do not have the people to fulfill the leads, then what’s it all for?

In the past, a few weeks running an ad on a hiring platform would produce good candidates to interview. Now it can take months to find the right candidate, and the best ones go fast. They’re snapped up quickly by competitors who are quicker to respond. If you're not out there consistently building your pipeline, you risk missing top-tier talent altogether.

Partner with Trustal Recruiting

Want to avoid the pain of traditional hiring delays? We work with our clients on flexible retainer arrangements to ensure you're “always looking” and reaching out to highly qualified candidates. We help you attract skilled tradespeople as efficiently and affordably as possible, so your team stays stocked with the talent needed to grow and reach your business goals. 

The Bottom Line

The world of trades hiring has changed drastically. But with the right approach - proactive sourcing, smart partnerships, and a shift in mindset - you can overcome these challenges. Contact us at Trustal Recruiting today and let us help you build the team that will take your business to the next level.