The skilled trades workforce challenge cannot be solved by a single organization, program, or sector working alone. Let’s do this together as a broad-based workforce ecosystem.
Solving it requires a connected ecosystem of workforce development boards, colleges, universities, technical schools, employers, labor organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, community partners, students, job seekers, parents, and industry advocates working toward a shared goal: helping more people discover, prepare for, and succeed in high-demand careers.
That is exactly where AdultSkilledTrades.com and YouthSkilledTrades.com fit.
We officially launched the cloud-based SaaS platforms in late May with an extensive press release and marketing campaign. In the most recent month alone, the sites attracted more than 14,650 unique users, representing growth of more than 1,257%.
That momentum demonstrates the demand for accessible, practical, and free resources for skilled trades careers.
AdultSkilledTrades.com and YouthSkilledTrades.com provide free, cloud-based SaaS tools that help users explore career options, strengthen their employment readiness, and connect with education, training, and job opportunities. Available resources include:
Skilled trades career exploration and occupational information. Career assessments and career-pathway tools. AI-supported resume development, cover letter assistance, and interview preparation and practice. Job-search tools and employment resources. Education and training program information. Apprenticeship, internship, and work-based learning opportunities. Employer and job-posting resources. Resources for parents, educators, workforce professionals, and career advisors. Information about colleges, technical schools, training providers, workforce programs, unions, and industry partners. Skilled trades success stories, industry insights, articles, and career guidance.
All users can create their own free account, save their work, return to their information, and continue building their career plan over time. The same goes for employers, colleges, universities, trade schools, vocational schools, workforce boards, one-stop centers, trade unions, and almost any organization. There is no cost for individuals or organizations to register and use these tools.
Workforce boards, colleges, universities, nonprofits, employers, schools, community organizations, and government agencies can make these platforms available to the people they serve without having to build a new technology platform from the ground up.
Organizations can share the platforms with WIOA participants, adult and dislocated workers, youth program participants, high school and college students, recent graduates, career changers, veterans, justice-involved individuals, apprenticeship candidates, unemployed and underemployed workers, parents and families, employers seeking skilled talent, and career services and workforce development teams.
The platforms can complement existing career services, training programs, labor-exchange systems, employer partnerships, outreach initiatives, and workforce development strategies. They are not intended to replace the important work already being performed across the workforce ecosystem. They are designed to extend and enhance that work, increase visibility, expand access, and help more people take meaningful steps toward skilled careers.
Organizations can also establish a stronger presence within the platforms. Colleges, technical schools, training providers, workforce agencies, employers, unions, nonprofits, and industry partners can register, share opportunities, provide information about their services, and connect with individuals actively exploring careers in skilled trades.
Employers and partner organizations can promote job openings, apprenticeships, internships, training programs, educational pathways, workforce services, career events, employer resources, industry initiatives, and community programs. This creates a direct connection between career exploration and the organizations that can help users take the next step.
Organizations seeking greater visibility can also participate through affordable sponsorship opportunities. A sponsorship can help place your organization, website, educational program, workforce initiative, hiring campaign, or career resource in front of a rapidly growing audience of adults, young people, parents, educators, employers, and workforce professionals.
Sponsorships can help drive visitors from our platforms to your own website, career portal, training programs, job openings, apprenticeship opportunities, enrollment pages, employer services, community resources, and workforce development solutions. This provides organizations with a practical and cost-effective way to support the skilled trades workforce while increasing awareness of their own programs and services.
The skilled trades shortage is not simply an employer problem. It affects economic development, education, infrastructure, healthcare, manufacturing, construction, transportation, energy, public services, and communities throughout the country.
We believe these platforms can serve as valuable points of connection within the broader workforce development ecosystem. We are actively seeking partnerships with workforce development boards, American Job Centers, colleges and universities, community and technical colleges, high schools and school districts, employers and industry associations, labor unions and apprenticeship programs, state and local government agencies, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, nonprofits and community-based organizations, veteran-serving organizations, reentry and corrections programs, youth-serving organizations, and career services and workforce professionals.
Partners can begin by sharing the platforms with their communities, encouraging individuals and employers to register, listing available opportunities, exploring sponsorship options, and working with us to expand awareness of skilled trades careers.
The tools are available now. Explore AdultSkilledTrades.com — and YouthSkilledTrades.com for the other half of the audience — create a free account, register your organization, or learn more about partnering with us.
Together, we can make skilled trades career pathways easier to discover, access, and pursue.