CNY Tradesworker

06/01/2026

According to data found by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the plastics industry (an already enormous industry) increased 2% so far in 2026. "Overall, the US plastics industry remains resilient amid a supportive macroeconomic and technological backdrop, even as it contends with geopolitical energy volatility and episodic cost pressures," Pineda stated. "The industry's ability to navigate these internal and external shocks will help shape performance through the remainder of 2026." https://www.plasticstoday.com/industry-trends/us-plastics-industry-shows-resilience-amid-energy-volatility

Do you work in the plastics industry? Tell us about your outlook on 2026 production!

Surging business investment and AI-driven demand create opportunities despite mixed labor market signals and energy pressures.

05/29/2026

According to a recent report by the Semiconductor Industry Association, global semiconductor sales are up 25% in the first quarter of 2026 from the final quarter of 2025. This is wonderful news for those in the manufacturing trade, and all other skilled trades that use or work within the semiconductor industry. In the America's alone, sales are up more than 83% so far for 2026!

Check out more in the article by the SIA! https://www.semiconductors.org/global-semiconductor-sales-increase-25-from-q4-2025-to-q1-2026/

Worldwide chip sales in March increase 79.2% year-to-year, 11.5% month-to-month WASHINGTON—May 4, 2026—The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today announced global semiconductor sales were $298.5 billion during the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 25% compared to Q4 of 2025. Global s...

05/28/2026

"David Rames, senior specialist of product promotion and development with Midea Residential Air Conditioning, reached out to trade schools a couple of years ago with an offer: A donation of equipment and the opportunity for company representatives to speak with students and instructors.

The response he received surprised him. Only a handful of schools took him up on the equipment, and all declined to have reps visit. After consulting with industry peers, Rames discovered the reason why: Instructors aren’t familiar with the latest HVAC technology. "

Read more about the educator gap in this awesome article from ACHR News https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166219-manufacturer-q-and-a-bridging-the-knowledge-gap-in-hvac-training

HVAC manufacturers share how they’re stepping up to ensure new technicians, and the instructors who teach them, are keeping up with modern technology.

05/25/2026

Happy Memorial day to all those who have served! Thank you!

05/22/2026

Ford threw in their input on the current job market and they made a bold statement that really resonates!

They said "it's time to stop treating skilled Trade Work as a Fallback."

What are your thoughts?

Read more about their position at https://www.fromtheroad.ford.com/us/en/articles/2026/national-skilled-trades-day-signing

In the sports world, we throw parties when a kid signs a letter of intent to play football. Ford Philanthropy and SkillsUSA are bringing that level of energy to the kids signing up to support our Essential Economy.

05/20/2026

According to this article from the National Roofing Contractors Association, the construction industry needs to attract AT LEAST 349,000 new trade workers in 2026 in order to keep up with the current demand. However, the workers have been slow to obtain - between 12,000 and 33,000 per month since January.

Are you a construction company looking for skilled laborers? Tell us about your experience in trying to bring in new talent!

https://www.nrca.net/RoofingNews/construction-must-attract-349000-new-workers-in-2026-to-meet-demand.1-20-2026.13121/details/story

The construction industry will need to attract an estimated 349,000 net new workers in 2026 to meet anticipated demand for construction services, according to Associated Builders and Contractors. In 2027, the industry will need to bring in 456,000 new workers as spending growth is expected to resume...

05/18/2026

Staffing Industry recently shared an article about the difficulties of filling skilled labor vacancies. They claim it is now more difficult to hire skilled trades workers than it is to fill desk-based roles.

https://www.staffingindustry.com/news/global-daily-news/skilled-trades-roles-now-take-longer-to-hire-than-desk-based-workers

The need to build AI infrastructure is driving demand for skilled tradespeople, a study by Randstad USA found.

05/16/2026

Randstad has outlined a list of challenges most skilled trade employers are facing. From retirement to AI, they have created a great basic field guide for explaining the 'pinch' many are feeling and how to overcome it. Are you an employer facing these challenges? If so, which ones are most impactful to your company?

Stay ahead of Canadian market trends. Our 2026 hiring blueprint for skilled trades helps you build a future-ready, resilient and high-performance workforce.

05/13/2026

According to this article on Fortune, "The workers who keep America’s buildings running are disappearing—and the U.S. isn’t replacing them fast enough to keep the lights on, the servers cool, or the labs sterile."

Large numbers of skilled trades workers are retiring at a pace that is hard to fill. Many companies are struggling to add new trades people to their workforce because of the gap in demand for these roles. Check out this great article to learn more! https://fortune.com/2026/04/21/america-silent-army-jll-report-skilled-trades-job-shortage-cost/

Electricians, HVAC techs, and pipefitters are retiring faster than the U.S. can replace them. Without them, there's no AI boom, no new data centers, and no modernized infrastructure, a new JLL report warns.

05/11/2026

Have you heard of the ON-RAMP (One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships) program?

According to NY.GOV, "Upstate New York is leading the nation in new semiconductor industry investment and is rapidly emerging as a global hub for advanced manufacturing. There is a growing demand for skilled workers to sustain that growth and ON-RAMP will help meet that demand while providing high quality, accessible training opportunities for priority populations." This program will create opportunities for individuals in communities across CNY, helping provide education in the manufacturing trades.

Are you in the manufacturing trade and what are your thoughts on this program?

https://esd.ny.gov/on-ramp

The official website of the State of New York. Find information about state government agencies and learn more about our programs and services.