This blog is based on a recent report from BlueRecruit, highlighting key developments in the trades. As we wrap up Q1 of 2025, there are three important takeaways to note:
More people are joining the trades than at any point in over a generation.
The demand for electricians and manufacturing professionals is skyrocketing.
The general labor industry is undergoing massive shifts, likely due to recent presidential election results and changes in immigration policies.
Let’s dive into these and explore how this data can guide your business decisions.
The surge of new skilled trade workers
Despite the persistent negative stigmas surrounding the trades, there’s no denying the appeal of this career path. Young people, women and veterans are turning to the trades at the highest rates since World War II.
42 percent of BlueRecruit job seekers have been female.
49 percent are under the age of 35.
11 percent are veterans.
This surge is a great opportunity for employers to grow. In fact, hiring is up 376 percent from Q4-2024 to Q1-2025, compared to the same period a year ago.
So, how can employers maintain this momentum? It’s essential to invest in continuous training and mentorship programs. Not only does this help employees grow, but it also ensures your business maintains a competitive edge. Concerned about the cost of training? Many states offer apprenticeship programs and financial assistance to get you started.
A historic demand for electricians and manufacturing professionals
Three of the eight most in-demand trades this quarter are electricians, fabricators and manufacturing technicians. Even Michigan, known as the heart of U.S. manufacturing, saw its highest demand in history.
For electricians, compensation has risen by $0.76 per hour compared to Q4-2024, translating into an average $1,580.80 annual salary increase—without even factoring in overtime. This surge shows no signs of slowing down, creating opportunities for both workers and employers.
Major shifts in general labor due to immigration policy changes
As immigration enforcement and deportation become a central topic in national discussions, the effects are seen through the trades.
Employer requirements for clean criminal records increased by 10 percent compared to Q4, marking the largest increase in a single quarter in the history of the State of the Trades (SoTT).
General laborer compensation saw a significant boost, increasing by $2.40 per hour, the largest single-quarter increase ever recorded for this demographic.
Texas also regained its spot as the state with the most hires, the first time since Q2-2022.
Meet BlueRecruit – A solution for the skilled trades
BlueRecruit is a direct-hire marketplace designed for skilled trade workers and companies seeking their talent. By removing the inefficiencies of traditional resumes and job postings, BlueRecruit focuses on what matters most, skills, certifications and experience.
Stay tuned to BlueRecruit for more industry insights and talent acquisition best practices to help you grow your business and navigate the evolving trades landscape.
Matt Sonnhalter reveals his top five takeaways from AHR 2025! Matt explores the crowded tradeshow floor, personalized caricature drawings, cologne and more! Watch the full video below.
Recently, Sonnhalter’s president, Matt Sonnhalter, was featured on 5 Minutes with Industrial Distribution, where he discussed a unique effort to help promote the needs of skilled workers and their prospective employers: a free database of vocational education and technical programs that span across the U.S.
March 11th is dedicated to raising awareness about the vital role plumbing and plumbers play in our daily lives. At Sonnhalter, we deeply appreciate the hard work and commitment of plumbers everywhere. Today, we’re sharing some interesting plumbing facts to highlight the importance of this essential profession.
Did You Know? Plumbing Improves the World…
Standardized plumbing systems can be traced back to around 3,000 B.C.
Between 2000 and 2015, more than 1 billion people gained access to piped water supplies.
Approximately 0.3% of homes in the U.S. experience minor plumbing leaks.
The global population using safely managed sanitation services grew from 28% in 2000 to 39% in 2015.
A 4-minute shower can now use as little as 24 liters of water.
The dual flush toilet, developed in a small Australian town in 1980, now uses as little as 4.5 liters of water.
Today, we salute the plumbers who keep everything flowing—and prevent it from overflowing. Thank you to the dedicated professionals who answer the call, often without sharing the tales of what they’ve pulled out of pipes!
On International Women’s Day, we take a moment to celebrate the incredible women making strides in the trades industry. Once predominantly male-dominated, the trades are now seeing more women take on key roles—from plumbing to carpentry, electrical work to HVAC.
Women in trades are not only challenging stereotypes but are also helping to fill critical skill gaps in the workforce. Their talent, hard work and resilience are driving the industry forward, and they continue to inspire the next generation of women to pursue these careers.
Today, we honor the women who are breaking barriers and excelling in their craft. Thank you for your dedication, skill and leadership in the trades. Here’s to you—today and every day!
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.
We’re not talking about what someone may say that sets you off
Instead, we’re referring to the trigger that sparks an impulse to potentially make a purchase. Interestingly, both concepts are somewhat connected. In psychology, a trigger is an external event or circumstance that elicits a reaction. It can stem from a sight, sound, smell, texture, or even being in a specific location.
These triggers often play a significant role in our decision-making process as consumers. For marketers, understanding them is crucial to crafting effective strategies that align with customer journeys.
Think about this: You don’t wake up one day and randomly decide to purchase a new car. Something sets that process in motion. Was it the funny noise your current car started making? Did your neighbor’s shiny new vehicle catch your eye? Or was it the irresistible “new car smell” you experienced in a rental? Triggers like these often serve as the initial spark that propels us toward action.
But Wait! Wasn’t it Because of My Awesome Advertising?
While advertising plays a role in this process, it’s rarely the sole reason for a purchase. Instead, advertisements often act as amplifiers, gently nudging individuals along their journey. They might inspire you just enough to click a link, visit a store, or start researching options. However, the true trigger typically lies deeper, intertwined with psychological and emotional factors. Therefore, understanding the triggers can serve as a solid strategic path or input to creating your advertising plans.
The Psychology of Triggers
The reason for this is because triggers tap into core human behaviors and emotions, creating connections that drive action. A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that the scent of fresh-baked cookies in a store increased impulse purchases by creating an emotional association with comfort and home. Something Disney learned a long time ago as they pumped out the smell of fresh baked cookies near their bakery shop on Main Street.
Other times, the underlying psychological component that combines with a trigger to cause action is how some marketers tap into our fears and desires. It could be our desires to be more beautiful, wealthier, healthier, or simply having some FOMO (fear of missing out), which is why at times it feels irresistible to pass up that limited-time offer or access to exclusive products.
Take a Holistic Approach
When delving into the customer journey, it’s just as important to learn what someone is thinking and doing as well as feeling when they think about what triggered the need for a product or service. This holistic view enables brands to more clearly follow that journey into what people eventually do to make a purchase, whether it’s researching online, speaking to friends, or go window shopping. Try it on yourself! Think back to a recent purchase. What was your trigger? And what were you thinking, doing, and feeling when it compelled you to take that next step towards the purchase
From Trigger to Action
Once you’ve identified your customer’s triggers, the next steps are:
Map the Customer Journey: Understand where and how triggers emerge within the broader context of the customer’s decision-making process.
Leverage Emotional Insights: Use storytelling and messaging that aligns with the emotions tied to your customer’s triggers. For instance, if safety is a concern, emphasize features that promote security and peace of mind.
Design Engaging Touchpoints: Create sensory and interactive experiences that reinforce the trigger. If a scent triggers nostalgia, incorporate it into your physical or digital spaces.
By understanding the interplay between external triggers and internal motivators, you can create marketing strategies that not only reach your customers but also resonate deeply with them. In doing so, you are on your path to position your brand as a solution that meets their needs in both practical and emotional ways.
