search
cart
facebook instagram twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • FEATURED PRODUCTS
  • CONTRACTORS
    • BATH & KITCHEN PRO
    • BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
    • HIGH EFFICIENCY HOMES
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • WATER TREATMENT
    • PMC COLUMNS
      • Dave Yates: Contractor’s Corner
      • John Siegenthaler: Hydronics Workshop
      • Kenny Chapman: The Blue Collar Coach
      • Matt Michel: Service Plumbing Pros
      • Scott Secor: Heating Perceptions
  • ENGINEERS
    • CONTINUING EDUCATION
    • DECARBONIZATION | ELECTRIFICATION
    • FIRE PROTECTION
    • GEOTHERMAL | SOLAR THERMAL
    • PIPING | PLUMBING | PVF
    • PME COLUMNS
      • Christoph Lohr: Strategic Plumbing Insights
      • David Dexter: Plumbing Talking Points
      • James Dipping: Engineer Viewpoints
      • John Seigenthaler: Renewable Heating Design
      • Lowell Manalo: Plumbing Essentials
      • Misty Guard: Guard on Compliance
  • RADIANT & HYDRONICS
    • RADIANT COMFORT REPORT
    • THE GLITCH & THE FIX
  • INSIGHTS
    • CODES
    • GREEN PLUMBING & MECHANICAL
    • PROJECT PROFILES
    • COLUMNS
      • Codes Corner
      • Kristen R. Bayles: Editorial Opinion
      • Guest Editorial
    • SPONSOR INSIGHTS
  • MEDIA
    • EBOOKS
    • PODCASTS
    • VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
    • BIG BOOK DIRECTORY
    • REP LOCATOR
    • INDUSTRY CALENDAR
    • Letters to the Editor
    • PM BOOKSTORE
    • CE CENTER
    • MARKET RESEARCH
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EMAGAZINE
    • EMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVE ISSUES
    • CONTACT
    • ADVERTISE
    • PME EMAGAZINE ARCHIVES
  • SIGN UP!
Home » labor shortage

Articles Tagged with ''labor shortage''

A male home inspector is using an endoscope inspection camera to check the kitchen tube
Guest Editorial | Lindsay Renkel

Work smarter, not harder: giving labor productivity a boost with technology

Facing a growing labor gap, plumbing and mechanical contractors are turning to digital tools.
Lindsay Renkel author profile
Lindsay Renkel
July 14, 2025

Advances in hardware and software open the door to future-proof projects, maximize resources and unlock new efficiencies. Here are three ways plumbing and mechanical contractors can use technology to get more done despite the industry’s shortage of skilled labor.


Read More
Plumber And Apprentice Fitting Central Heating

Prepping for the next generation

The next generation is inheriting the skilled trades industry at an interesting time. How can you prepare them?
Kristen Bayles 200x200 headshot
Kristen R. Bayles
June 18, 2025

Allow your young workers time to learn. Mistakes will happen; turn them into learning opportunities. Do your best to create an environment where questions are encouraged! We all start somewhere, after all. And, most importantly, recognize growth when you see it. Gen-Z workers seem to thrive off of praise, so don’t be shy with it!


Read More
Plumber and apprentice working in construction site.
The Blue Collar Coach | Kenny Chapman

The apprenticeship mindset: Lifelong learning as a leader

The best leaders never stop learning.
Kenny Chapman headshot with a white round border frame, 200x200
Kenny Chapman
May 30, 2025

In the trades, apprenticeships form the basis for skill development, but the concept should extend beyond entry-level roles to become a lifelong approach to leadership.



Read More
The interior of a government building.

President Trump signs executive order promoting skilled trades and apprenticeships

This Executive Order aims to modernize the federal workforce development.
Kristen Bayles 200x200 headshot
Kristen R. Bayles
May 9, 2025

This order aims to help equip the future skilled trades workers of America with the training, knowledge and experience that is needed to increase the number of skilled trades workers and apprentices in the U.S, and to invest in the reindustrialization and economic growth of America.


Read More
The architect is talking about a new project in the meeting room. Four people are sitting at the table, three wearing yellow construction vests and two white safety helmets on the table.
Guest Editorial | Destry Thompson

From apprentice to all-star

Investing in employee training and development.
Destry Thompson headshot 200x200px
Destry Thompson
March 19, 2025

In the plumbing and HVAC industry, equipping your team with essential skills is crucial. As a general manager, I've seen how investing in training transforms apprentices into top performers, creating a skilled and adaptable workforce.



Read More
Male teacher helping a young college student with his work on a laptop while sitting with classmates at a table in a school cafeteria.
Guest Editorial | Celia Church

Technology is necessary to recruit and train the next generation of home service employees

Best practices for attracting and training new employees.
Celia Church
Celia Church
November 13, 2024

How can smaller, locally-owned home service businesses compete with larger companies for a new generation of workers? Beyond better pay and a more engaging culture, they must use technology to attract younger employees.


Read More
Victorville, Califorinia-based Motherflushers Plumbing

‘American Plumber Stories’ continues mission of highlighting plumbing as a top career choice

New season expands beyond US borders to showcase plumbing heroes worldwide.
Nicole Krawcke head shot 2024
Nicole Krawcke
October 21, 2024

“American Plumber Stories,” a YouTube docuseries hosted by Craig Morgan, aims to promote plumbing as a career. Directed by Spencer Brown of Pfister, it has become a cultural symbol for the plumbing community, inspiring trade school teachers to incorporate it into their curriculum and receiving positive feedback for its impact.


Read More
The NFPA logo.

NFPA Survey finds an increase in use of digital tools among skilled trades workers, despite collaboration being top challenge in 2024

August 21, 2024

Eighty-two percent of respondents use digital tools daily to help streamline training and development programs. The majority of respondents within this group recognize the diverse benefits that digital tools offer the skilled trades industry.


Read More
01 PM 0424 Franchise feature image of showerhead.jpg

Franchises offer expansion opportunities for plumbing contractors

Jumpstart growth while minimizing risk by adding a franchise.
Dean Hartley
Dean Hartley
March 18, 2024

A thriving plumbing business relies on a collaborative team spanning various functions. Facing challenges like labor shortages and limited resources, many contractors struggle to expand into new markets. Adding a franchise can accelerate growth, minimize risk, and unlock fresh opportunities by leveraging established systems and resources.


Read More
PM 1123 Editorial Opinion Nicole Krawcke Help Wanted Sign
Editorial Opinion | Nicole Krawcke

Get creative to attract and retain top talent

Strategies for plumbing and HVAC contractors should consider to make themselves standout.
Nicole Krawcke head shot 2024
Nicole Krawcke
November 15, 2023

Plumbing and HVAC contractors need to market themselves to potential employees just like they market to their customers.


Read More
Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next
Manage My Account
  • Newsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • eMagazine
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Plumbing & Mechanical audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Plumbing & Mechanical or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • ClearLOC pipe fittings
    Sponsored byLegend

    How Plumbing Professionals Are Reducing Installation Time Through Smarter Connection Design

  • HyperPure® PE-RT tubing
    Sponsored byLegend

    Why Sustainable Innovation Will Shape the Future of Plastic Pipe

  • HyperPure® PE-RT tubing
    Sponsored byLegend

    More Than One Right Answer: Rethinking PE-RT in Modern Plumbing Systems

Popular Stories

And So it Flows: Understanding Backflow Prevention with Mike Gaulin

Understanding Backflow Prevention

Emergency Plumber Near Me EAG Oped

The Click Goes to the Contractor They’ve Heard Of

And So It Flows with Mike Rizzuto

How Shower Design is Changing

eBook | 2026 Radiant & Hydronics All Stars

Poll

Getting your new hire jobsite-ready

How long does it typically take to get a new hire jobsite-ready?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Water Came To A Stop

The Water Came To A Stop

See More Products

Keep your content unclogged with our newsletters!

Stay in the know on the latest plumbing & piping industry trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Supply House Times
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing