Blog

“The Peter Principle” is the title of a book published in 1972 that, in my opinion, is one of the most insightful business books ever. It refers to the fact that many people in the business world tend to be promoted beyond their level of competence. We see it in most types of business, even...

Politeness is important when it comes to any career, especially the plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical trades. Many people besides myself have noticed a general decline in good manners in recent times. In the trades or any other job for that matter, manners or lack thereof have a way of leaving...

You often hear homeowners complain about a trade worker who charged them a lot of money for a taskthat might have taken only a few minutes. What they need to realize is that they aren’t paying for the act of turning a wrench or screwdriver. They are paying someone with specialized knowledge of which...

What Are Electrician Jobs Like? Trade school may sound like a pipeline to new construction or maintenance electrical work, but the truth is that trade school can open your life to many new opportunities after graduation. While new construction and maintenance are the bread and butter of the industry,...

I first began observing and writing about the trades more than 40 years ago. Changes during that span have been dramatic, encompassing many new technologies, tools and techniques. This is especially true for residential service firms – the companies you call to fix or install mechanical and electrical...

The news media is filled with stories about the wondrous achievements of Artificial Intelligence, usually shortened to “AI.” AI is the most advanced form of computer technology, with the machines programmed to adapt and learn things not included in the original computer coding. Some experts regard...

Explore The Trades attended the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, GA from June 19-22, 2023. This conference brought together over 15,000 students, educators, industry vendors and trades professionals from all over the country. These individuals showcased the best of the...

June 2023 Visit Explore The Trades at SkillsUSA! The National Leadership and Skills Conference will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA from June 19th to June 23rd. Explore The Trades will be located at booth 129 at the TECHSPO. Stop by for FREE classroom resources and learn...

May 2023 Congratulations to the “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” Recipients! Explore The Trades is pleased to announce the winners of the “Explore The Trades Skills Lab, Built by Ferguson” equipment grants! Approximately 700 high school students and 150 middle...