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.
CLEVELAND – June 2024 – Sonnhalter, a communications firm marketing to the professional tradesman in the construction, industrial and MRO markets, announces the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) as one of its newest clients and will be assisting with promoting the organization’s annual conference: CONNECT 2024.
Formed in 1883, PHCC provides education and training to over 3,500 plumbing and HVACR businesses and 65,000 technicians. PHCC offers its members access to a wide range of services to increase their professionalism, grow their business and improve profitability.
“We are proud to support PHCC with CONNECT 2024 to help build lasting relationships and continue to spread awareness about the plumbing and HVACR industry,” said Matt Sonnhalter, vision architect at Sonnhalter. “We look forward to working together to enhance the CONNECT experience and make it successful for all attendees.”
“We are excited to work with Sonnhalter and leverage their extensive knowledge of the industry to introduce the reimagined CONNECT conference,” said Cindy Sheridan, PHCC chief executive officer. “At PHCC, we value forming professional relationships and providing education, and with Sonnhalter’s assistance, we can continue to promote these values.”
Sonnhalter is assisting PHCC’s overall marketing strategy and branding efforts for CONNECT 2024, including its creative, earned media, social media and influencer relations. The event will be held October 7-10 in Birmingham, Alabama. www.phccweb.org/connect.
About Sonnhalter
Established in 1976, Sonnhalter is the leading B2T marketing communications firm to companies that target professional tradesmen in construction, industrial and MRO markets. Sonnhalter is located in the historic Brownell Building in the heart of downtown Cleveland. Sonnhalter’s brand identity highlights its expertise in marketing to the professional tradesmen. Its tagline, “Not Afraid To Get Our Hands Dirty,” promotes the employees’ willingness to roll up their sleeves and dig deep into clients’ businesses, also, it refers to the market it targets: the tradesmen who work with – and dirty – their hands every day. Sonnhalter developed the acronym “B2T,” which stands for “business-to-tradesmen” to capture the essence of its specialty. For more information, visit the company website at Sonnhalter.com.
About PHCC
The PHCC National Association, formed in 1883, provides legislative advocacy, education and training to approximately 3,500 plumbing and HVACR businesses and 65,000 technicians. Members of PHCC have access to a wide variety of services designed to increase their professionalism, grow their business and improve profitability. For more information about PHCC, visit phccweb.org.
Professional tradesmen and contractors are busy people just like the rest of us, and if we want them to read our blogs, we need to give them info that’s timely and informative.
The key objective is to not only get info out, but to engage the reader and get their thoughts and comments.
Business blogs tend to be a bit dry and it’s up to you to keep things interesting. I read a post recently from Alyssa Gregory on ways to engage readers of business blogs and here are some highlights:
Offer advice. You’re an expert in this field, so offer the tradesman some practical advice on how he can do his job better.
Talk to the audience. If they’re reading your blog, there’s a reason. Since they share a common interest, you need to talk to your audience, but more importantly, keep an eye on their comments and feedback as this will be good material for future posts.
Share a personal story. Let them see the other side. This helps in building a stronger relationship.
Go off topic. Throw in an occasional non-business related post. Everyone needs some comic relief.
Keep it short and sweet. These contractors are busy, so get to the point and deliver (WIIFM) What’s In It For Me.
Give up the wheel. Instead of doing all the talking, ask questions and ask for comments.
Give readers what they want. Don’t ask the contractors for their comments if you don’t do anything with them. Acknowledge comments and answer questions. Their feedback will give you material for future posts and even surveys.
