The trades will likely be saved by hometown heroes like you!
The shop owners, crew leads, and experienced tradespeople who dig in and step up, locally. And Skilled Trade Rescue wants to help!
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| @skilledtraderescue on Tiktok |
Do you ever stare at the crew and think
"We're dying out here... and no one's coming up behind us"?
You're not wrong.
For every 5 tradespeople retiring, only 2 are stepping in. The bench is empty.
The pipeline is dry.
And schools are still pushing kids into college debt factories like it’s 1995.
But here’s the truth:
We don’t need more awareness campaigns. We need you — the seasoned tradesperson, the crew lead, the shop owner — to repair the ladder, the pipeline, and the image around what a successful trades careers looks like in your community.
This week is not about complaining. It’s about how we can help you in your hometown!
🔥 THE WAKE-UP
If we don’t help fill this gap, you’ll feel it. You probably already are.
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No apprentices = no back up, no relief, more burnout.
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Not enough hands = unhappy customers or fewer jobs taken.
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No next gen = you’re working ‘til you can't and then....
Don't wait till there's no one left to answer the call!
🛠️ Rescue the Trades: What You Can Do Right Now
You have the greatest influence in your hometown. Crew leaders, shop owners, seasoned pros who decide to lead from the front, show how great the trades can be, mentor the next gen and restore the backbone of your local community. Here are some ideas and tell us what's working near you.
🚪 1. Show Up and Open the Door
Be the one who shows up to Career Day. Sponsor a local trade class.
Bring a small group of high school kids to your shop or job site to shadow. Show them it’s clean. It’s digital. It’s badass.
“When they have that [real-life] moment, it really changes everything in terms of opening up possibilities for them in their career.”
— Sara Armbruster, Steelcase (NYT, June 2025)
✅ Inspire them while doing real work, with real skilled people.
💬 2. Speak Their Language
Too many parents and teens still see trades as plan B. Hit them with the truth:
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No 4-year college debt
- Positive community impact
- AI-resistant job security
- Entrepreneurial upside
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A shot at adding your name to the list of new millionaires in the US.
✅ Reframe the conversation. Let the next generation see the upsides. Be the inspiration they are looking for.
💪 3. Build Your Own “Mini Academy”
Own your block. Join or build a crew that trains, retains, and creates a legacy.
Rockwell Automation CEO Blake Moret created a 12-week advanced manufacturing bootcamp for veterans. You can run a skills camp and partner with your local Veterans Affairs (VA) office, high school, or community college to start something similar.
And if you’re thinking veterans might not cut it in the trades, think again:
“Veterans show up on time. They tuck in their shirts. They take pride in structure. They’re used to pressure, protocol, and performing under stress. That’s why they make excellent hires in the trades.”
— Justin Welsh
✅ Don’t wait. Build it. Pass it on. It'll benefit everyone in the long run.
🏫 4. Partner With Schools, State Leaders, and Corporations — NOW
You’ve got the tools. They’ve got the students and connections. Bring them together.
“If we want more young people to see a future in manufacturing, we need more employers to show them what it looks like — on the job.”
— John Ladd, NYT, June 2025
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Offer a walk-through to local shop-classes and their parents
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Connect with other corporations or organizations
✅ Too busy? Block out time in the slow season to make the connections.
🧰 5. Build Something Bigger Than Yourself
Skilled Trade Rescue (STR) is ready to help you make a future that didn't exist before you created it.
Tell us about what you're noticing in your area. Comment on our website, social media channels or reply to this email to speak up about yourself or other local people excelling bringing up the next gen.
Connect with Skilled Trade Rescue
👊 THE CHALLENGE
This week, block out time to do one of these:
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Offer a walkthrough to a school or local trade class.
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Post a short video of your jobsite to social media. Let people SEE it. and tag #SkilledTradeRescue or comment on our posts.
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Host a garage-side Q&A about your trade with teens, young adults and veterans.
🧨 Skilled Trade Rescue want to help
They’ll be saved by you and STR doing this together.
Skilled Trade Rescue (STR) gives you:
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💬 Regular Meet-ups: Real-talk mentorship and strategy from seasoned pros who are interested to mentor you where you are
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Community Channels: A private, no-BS community that’s lifting each other up
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Resources: Tools to grow from wrench-turner to successful owner
- Money Muscle Minicourse: Check out our launching minicourse to guide your financial success both professionally and personally.
Let’s rescue the trades and build a bright future, together.
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