From Washington to Wall Street, the trades ride high in 2025

The trades this year have been hit with a tidal wave of momentum, seeing an uptick in interest, along with a slew of new initiatives and billions of dollars in investments proposed since January, aimed at bolstering the labor force.

Why it matters: Driven largely by an aging home and building stock, employment of HVAC and plumbing technicians is projected to grow more than 50 percent faster than the average for all occupations over the next eight years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

What’s happening: As the first half of this year comes to a close, below is a snapshot of some of the most notable developments happening across the trades. 

📈 Vocational enrollment surges. In Fall 2024 and Spring 2025, total enrollment in nationwide, vocational-focused schools grew 14 and 12 percent, respectively, compared to the year prior, according to National Student Clearinghouse data first released in January. Meanwhile, HVAC-specific programs during the same semesters saw a 27 and 29 percent enrollment jump.

🎉 New foundation breaks ground. Bryan Orr, host of the popular, technician-focused podcast HVAC School, in February launched the ‘GRIT Foundation,’ aimed at capturing the interest of America’s youth by enabling contractors, schools, and manufacturers to work together to host hands-on day camps in their communities. 

🚰 Millions flow to trade programs. As part of a five-year, $50 million commitment, the Lowe’s Foundation in February awarded nearly $9 million in grants to 15 trades-focused nonprofits nationwide to fuel career opportunities for those entering the industries. 

• The same week, PHCC announced over $150,000 in scholarships to 65 apprentices nationwide, and the Ted Rees Jr. Scholarship Foundation awarded another $176,000 to 90 HVAC students across the country. 

🏅 Trades earn a designated week. In March, sheet metal association SMACNA, in collaboration with other trade groups, coined the first national ‘Careers in Trades Week,’ taking place in April each year and featuring activities across the country, to grow industry awareness among students and job seekers nationwide. 

🎯 Trump administration targets apprenticeships. As part of a broader effort to bolster the trades, the White House, in a one-week period, launched an initiative to reach and surpass one million new active apprentices, followed by a separate proposal dubbed ‘Make America Skilled Again,’ which requires states to put 10 percent of their federal workforce dollars toward apprenticeships. 

• Meanwhile, the ‘big, beautiful bill’ working its way through Congress proposes expanding 529 savings plans, allowing families to use the funds to pay for apprenticeships, licensing, and industry-recognized certifications. 

💰 Congressman takes a billion-dollar swing. An Illinois Congressman in early June called for the doubling of federal funding for career and technical education (CTE) programs nationwide, including those specific to HVAC, urging Congress to authorize $13 billion in new funding over the next 10 years, as the buying power of today’s funding levels erodes due to inflation. 

🤝 CEO group launches trades initiative. Business Roundtable, an association of CEOs from America’s biggest companies, in June launched the ‘Skilled Trades Initiative,’ co-led by the CEOs of Lowe’s and Carrier. Its goal is to “address worker shortages,” according to the announcement, by “strengthening talent pipelines” across an array of industries, including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical.

The big picture: Every initiative announced since the beginning of this year, including the more than $13 billion in public and private investments made or proposed — and the likely amount of local efforts all over the country not made public —  converges on one goal: Strengthening the trades. 

• “While technology continues to evolve, it cannot replace plumbers, electricians, construction workers, maintenance and repair pros, or other tradespeople,” said Lowe’s CEO Marvin Ellison. “Investing in skilled trades is vital to address America’s workforce shortage.”