Looming Skilled Trades Shortage: A Focus on the Plumbing Industry

The United States is facing a growing shortage of skilled tradesmen across various industries, with the plumbing sector being one of the most severely affected with some estimates showing a shortage of more than half a million plumbers by 2027.

“America is facing a skilled labor shortage with longtime tradesmen aging out of the workforce and a new talent pipeline that hasn’t been able to keep up,” reported Andrew Dorn in The Hill in April 2024.

Bloomberg reported that an analysis by John Durham & Associates, a Florida research company, estimated that the U.S. is expected to be short 550,000 plumbers by 2027/

“The pace at which the US is minting new plumbers is lagging retirements in the profession,” said the Bloomberg story.

And it’s not just a shortage of plumbers as the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) group released a report that said the construction industry needs to attract about half a million new workers across all trades in 2024 to balance supply and demand.

This deficit in trained craftsmen poses significant challenges for the economy, as well as for homeowners and businesses in need of essential services.

Industries Affected by the Skilled Trades Shortage

Construction isn’t the only area affected by the lack of skilled trade workers. The shortage of talent is spread across the U.S. economy, including:

• Electrical: The aging workforce is a major factor here too. Many electricians are nearing retirement, leaving a gap for tasks like installing new electrical systems, maintaining existing ones, and troubleshooting electrical problems in homes and businesses.
  
  
• Welding: There's a high demand for skilled welders across various industries, from construction and shipbuilding to manufacturing and oil & gas. This demand is outpacing the number of new welders entering the workforce.
  
  
• Automotive: The automotive industry is undergoing a rapid shift toward electric vehicles, which require a different skill set compared to traditional gasoline-powered cars. There's a shortage of technicians qualified to service and repair these complex electrical systems present in EVs.
  
  
• HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning): A shortage of HVAC technicians can lead to longer wait times for repairs and installations, and potentially higher prices due to increased demand for a limited workforce.
  
  
• Manufacturing: Skilled workers are needed to operate and maintain complex machinery. The lack of qualified technicians and machinists can slow down production lines and limit the ability of manufacturers to meet demand.
  
  

“Over the next decade, some 1.9 million manufacturing jobs could go unfilled if the “talent conundrum” isn’t resolved, according to a new study from the Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte,” reported The Hill.

Reasons for the Shortage of Skilled Tradesmen

The skilled trade shortage in the US is a complex issue with several contributing factors. Here are some of the main reasons:

• Aging Workforce: A significant portion of the current skilled trade workforce is nearing retirement age. Baby boomers are leaving the field faster than younger generations are entering it. This creates a gap in experience and expertise.
  
  
• Shifting Societal Attitudes: Traditionally, there has been a strong emphasis on college degrees and white-collar jobs. This has led some to view skilled trades as less prestigious or intellectually stimulating, deterring some young people from pursuing these careers.
  
  
• Lack of Awareness: Many students and young adults may not be fully aware of the variety and opportunities available in skilled trades. Misconceptions about the work itself, like the physical demands or required skills, can also be a barrier.
  
  
• Apprenticeship Decline: Apprenticeship programs have traditionally been a great way to enter the skilled trades, offering on-the-job training alongside experienced professionals. However, a decline in these programs has limited opportunities for new generations to gain the necessary skills.
  
  
• Training Costs: Trade schools and certificate programs can be expensive, posing a financial barrier for some individuals interested in these careers.
  
  

“It’s not a problem that can be solved overnight. Becoming a plumber or electrician can take four to five years. Apprenticeship programs for HVAC technicians usually last three to five years,” said The Hill article.

The Plumbing Industry's Struggle

The plumbing industry is particularly hard-hit by the skilled trades shortage due to several factors:

• Complexity of modern plumbing systems: As plumbing technology advances, the need for highly trained professionals increases. The complexity of modern systems requires a deep understanding of both traditional techniques and cutting-edge technology.
  
  
• Physically demanding work: Plumbing can be a physically demanding job, which may deter some potential entrants from pursuing this career path.
  
  
• Licensing and certification requirements: Plumbers must meet strict licensing and certification requirements, which can be time-consuming and costly to obtain.
  
  
• Insufficient apprenticeship opportunities: The number of available apprenticeship positions in the plumbing industry has not kept pace with the growing demand for skilled plumbers.
  
  

The cost to America of this skilled plumber shortage? Bloomberg said the economic cost of the plumber shortage in 2022 was $33 billion.

“The perception that plumbing is dirty, arduous work with long hours is among the reasons younger people aren’t signing up,” reported Bloomberg, noting that a recent pre-apprenticeship course for plumbers in Maryland, offered by a local community college, had room for 18 students. Only three people applied.

Why the Plumbers' Shortages Matter to You

The lack of skilled plumbers is bad news for businesses and homeowners. Here’s why, according to the Morning Brew:

• Plumber shortages can drive up costs for families and hamper businesses’ ability to expand to new buildings.
  
  
• They can also delay flood recovery efforts and building upgrades to make water systems more efficient.
  
  
• Plumbing pros also play a vital role in the industrial boom that recent government infrastructure spending has spurred.
  
  

“I mean we’re in the middle of a housing crisis, a climate crisis, and we need a lot more licensed electricians and plumbers and others to help make sure that we’re building the kind of housing that we want and need for a resilient, sustainable future,” A Vermont representative said.

The lack of skilled tradesmen, especially in the plumbing industry, is a pressing issue that demands attention from policymakers, educators, and industry leaders.

Addressing this shortage will require a multi-faceted approach, including promoting the benefits of skilled trades careers, increasing access to vocational training, and offering more apprenticeship opportunities.

By acting now, we can ensure a stable supply of skilled tradesmen to meet the nation's needs and support the growth of critical industries.