BlueRecruit recently completed a Q2 2025 report highlighting key developments in the trades. This blog will dive into their findings, starting with two key takeaways:
What WE as a community are doing for the trades is working!
Immigration policy changes are fundamentally changing not only jobsites, but also how companies are hiring and compensating their employees.
Let’s jump into these numbers and see how Q2 can guide you and your business.
Trade program access is better understood
After running a four-year study, BlueRecruit found that the percentage of job seekers aware of the resources available to them in their wish to attend a trade school, vocational training program or career school has increased exponentially.
In 2022, 48 percent of job seekers were unaware of how to enter a trades program.
In 2023, the figure fell to 31.8 percent.
In 2024, the percentage dropped to 28.8 percent.
Now, in 2025, only 26 percent of job seekers are unaware of how to enter a trades program.
In just three years, there was a 22 percent decline in lack of knowledge about the trades for job seekers. This is a testament to the importance of the skilled trades community advocating for the importance of their work. However, the job is far from over. The trades community must band together and use this momentum to increase knowledge and squash negative stigmas around skilled trades.
Policy changes are undeniably affecting the trades
After six months under the Trump administration, the data surrounding immigration reforms and the effects on the skilled trades community is evident.
Q2 reveals a 12 percent increase in the requirement for a clean criminal record.
59 percent of trade employers now require clean criminal records for all jobs, this being a record high.
The percentage of employers requiring new hires to hold an active driver’s license has increased by 8 percent.
General labor compensation has increased by $0.90 in Q2 and an overall $3.39 an hour since the Presidential election.
Overall, it is important to spread knowledge about these policy changes and to take into consideration how they will affect the labor market. Business leaders must stay informed to remain competitive in these changing times.
Meet BlueRecruit – A solution for the skilled trades
BlueRecruit is a direct-hire marketplace for the skilled-trade workers and companies seeking their talent. By removing the inefficiencies of resumes and job posts, BlueRecruit focuses on the skills, certifications and experiences that matter.
Visit https://bluerecruit.us/ to learn more about the skilled trade industry and learn best practices to help your business grow.
Following is a guest post from our friends over at Long & Short of It, masters of ideation, customer insights and market research. They like to say they “dig and find lots of data and then turn it into actionable insights.” Following is their guest post.
You read something your team wrote and think: this doesn’t sound like us.
It’s a common problem. The brand voice gets defined, documented, and shared—but not always used. And without consistency, your brand loses clarity and trust.
You’ve put in the work to write a voice, story, message, personality, positioning. It’s not fluff. It’s the foundation. And once it’s in place, your brand should be ready to show up with confidence and consistency.
But even with a strong platform, the voice doesn’t always come through in practice. When it’s time to write—an email, a landing page, a social post—people fall back on their personal style. That’s when things get messy: one brand, many voices, and no consistency.
This isn’t about control; it’s about your brand being clear. Writing in the brand voice is a skill, and like any skill, it takes practice.
So how do you help your team write with one voice? Start with these:
Use a checklist. Before anything goes live, run through a few basics. Does this sound like us? Would our audience recognize it? Is the tone right for the channel?
Find an edit partner. Someone internal who understands the voice and can help keep things on track. Share drafts. Swap feedback. Bounce ideas around.
Host a brand voice workshop. Get your team in a room and work through real examples together. Rewrite things, discuss tone, talk it out. It’s low pressure and high value—and yes, we can help with that if you want.
When your brand voice shows up clearly and consistently, people start to trust it. And trust is what makes everything else such as marketing, sales, and hiring much easier. You’ve got the voice. Now make sure people hear it.
Ever run out of ideas for your company’s social media?
Managing your company’s social media can sometimes lead to running out of ideas. You’re constantly looking for fresh content that resonates with your audience. To help you keep things interesting, we’ve rounded up seven content ideas. Here’s how you can keep your social media strategy on track:
Testimonials
One of the best ways to build trust with your audience is by sharing real stories from customers. Testimonials are a great way to showcase the impact of your product or service. Whether it’s a video or a success story, customer feedback builds credibility and encourages potential clients to give your brand a try.
Industry News
Stay relevant and informed by sharing important updates and trends within your industry. Post articles, research findings or even your own thoughts on emerging topics. Your followers will appreciate the valuable insights, and you’ll position your brand as a thought leader.
Behind-the-Scenes
Give your followers a glimpse behind-the-scenes! Whether it’s how your products are made or an office event, showing the human side of your business can create a deeper connection with your audience. These posts help to build authenticity and make your brand more relatable.
Employee Spotlights
Your employees are the heart of your company, so why not introduce them to your followers? Feature employee spotlights, where you share fun facts about team members, highlight their hard work and showcase the faces behind the brand.
User-Generated Content
Encourage your customers to share how they use your products and services by inviting them to post photos, reviews or videos. Reposting user-generated content (UGC) not only builds community but also shows appreciation for your customers and their involvement with your brand.
Q&A
Engage directly with your audience by hosting Q&A sessions. You can answer frequently asked questions about your product or service, clarify common misconceptions or offer expert advice.
Throwbacks and Polls
Everyone loves a little fun now and then. Share nostalgic throwback photos or posts or run polls to get your audience’s opinion on relevant topics. Fun content helps boost engagement and shows your brand’s personality.
These seven content ideas will keep your social media engaging while also building a stronger connection with your followers. Try experimenting with different types of posts and see what resonates most with your audience.
My name is Taylor Morgan, and I am the incoming 2025 Sonnhalter PR intern. Currently, I am a senior at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where I am finishing up my Bachelor of Arts in both Strategic Communication and Professional Writing. Over the past three years, I have had the opportunity to immerse myself in the study of communications, media, public relations, copywriting, and more, with a specific focus on digital and technical communication in cohorts with my professional writing major. I look forward to applying these skills and getting my hands dirty with Sonnhalter this summer!
In addition to focusing on academics, I have also made it a point to engage with Miami University culture. As a university that emphasizes the importance of student organizations, I have found myself participating in and holding leadership positions within many organizations. Currently, I serve as the Vice President of Committees for my sorority Phi Mu Beta Eta. I am also the incoming Vice President of Community Relations for Miami University’s chapter of PRSSA, as well as the incoming Blog Editor for Miami’s largest student-run publication, UP Magazine. My choice to serve on the executive board of three organizations serves as a testament to how valuable their impact has been on my progression as a student and an individual, I have learned lessons that will no doubt be valuable to my transition into the workforce.
I am from Canfield, Ohio, a small northeastern town about halfway between Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Born and raised here, I spent the first 18 years of my life in an even more specific location, a dance studio. Growing up as a competitive dancer, I learned the values of found family, discipline and hard work, all three of which I have carried throughout every part of my life. While I did not continue my dance career after graduating high school, I did find a way to combine my love for the sport with my love for writing. In addition to my involvement in multiple student organizations, I also served as the Newsletter Editor intern for the Miami University Dance Theatre during my junior year, a position that I will carry on into my senior year.
I plan to bring all the skills and lessons I have learned from my time as a dancer, my time in Miami’s organizations and clubs, and the three years of knowledge I have gained from studying strategic communication and professional writing into my summer with Sonnhalter. Having the opportunity to step into the public relations industry and grow my skills will be an invaluable experience. From creating press releases to influencer outreach, social media marketing, blog posts, and more, I look forward to building my portfolio and experience within public relations. I am ecstatic to begin a journey full of growth, new experiences, challenges, and discovery and I am so grateful to do it with Sonnhalter and the PR Team.
In the trades, safety is more than a checklist—it’s a mindset. As we recognize National Safety Month this June, it’s a chance to spotlight the importance of creating safe work environments for the professionals who keep our world running like plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs, mechanics and more.
Four Ways to Prioritize Safety in the Trades
Gear Up
Hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, steel-toe boots are essential! And making sure PPE fits properly and is used consistently can be the difference between a close call and a serious injury.
Use the Right Tools Poor-quality tools can slip, break or fail under pressure. Choosing high-quality, durable tools protects both productivity and people.
Hazards Job sites are dynamic environments where risks can appear at any moment—whether it’s uneven ground, loud equipment, electrical hazards or working at height. National Safety Month is a great reminder for those in the trades to stay vigilant and proactive. Taking the time to assess the worksite, identify potential dangers and enforce safety protocols helps prevent accidents before they happen. This includes routine safety checks, ensuring all crew members have the right PPE, and reinforcing best practices through clear communication and ongoing training.
Training
When it comes to safety in the trades, being informed is one of the most powerful tools you can have. National Safety Month is the perfect time to prioritize education and training—whether that means attending a safety workshop, joining a hands-on demo or brushing up on the latest industry standards and OSHA regulations. The more you know, the better equipped you are to recognize risks, respond effectively and create a safer job site for everyone involved.
Creating a safer environment in the trades starts with all of us. National Safety Month is a time to refocus, re-engage and recommit to the habits and practices that keep our teams safe. Safety isn’t just a priority in June, it’s a value the trades carry with them every day on the job.
For brands, it’s not enough to simply have a presence on social media—they need to be paying attention. That’s where social listening comes in. It’s more than just tracking mentions or counting likes; it’s about understanding conversations and trends in real time to have better marketing efforts.
Social listening is the process of monitoring digital conversations to understand what customers are saying about a brand, industry or topic—and then using those insights for your strategy. It involves tracking things like brand mentions (tagged and untagged), industry keywords, competitor names or hashtags.
So why does this matter?
Social listening helps you understand your audience better. You can identify what customers care about or what frustrates them, all of which can fuel better content and stronger customer service. It also keeps you ahead of trends. By social listening, your brand can jump into conversations early, positioning itself as a thought leader.
Brand reputation
Social listening plays a critical role in managing your brand’s reputation. If someone’s talking about you—whether it’s a compliment or a complaint—you want to know about it. Being able to respond quickly shows that you’re engaged and care about your audience. It’s also a great way to keep tabs on competitors. Finally, it drives product innovation. By listening to what people are saying, you can generate ideas for improvements or entirely new offerings.
If you’re ready to put social listening to work for your brand, start small: track a few keywords, analyze conversations and see what insights surface. From there, let the data guide your strategy and help you make smarter, more impactful decisions.
