The research, initially launched in 2025 with founding support from F.W. Webb Company is expanding with additional industry sponsorship from Cintas Corporation.
Initial research released by BBTT in February 2026 revealed stark projections for the industry: 25% of jobs across the original seven trades studied will be vacant by 2030. This workforce deficit is projected to trigger a $325 billion loss in U.S. GDP if left unaddressed.
New survey findings show that consumers overwhelmingly prefer human interaction over artificial intelligence when engaging with service-based companies.
The findings reveal that, while technology can improve efficiency, consumers still place greater trust in human representatives when seeking help, resolving issues and making purchasing decisions.
Plumbing remains a stable and essential career, but the competition for talent is increasing. Contractors who understand regional wage trends and adjust accordingly will be better positioned to attract and retain the workforce they need.
Nearly 1.4 million United States jobs projected to be open across seven core trades.
February 6, 2026
To give stakeholders, policymakers, and the public a deeper dive into this data, Bring Back the Trades will be hosting a virtual webinar on Wednesday, February 11th from 10:30am-11:30am.
Partnership to enhance company’s high-performance heat pump solutions for cold climates, lay groundwork for the development of next-generation technologies.
Joint research initiatives at the University of Alaska Anchorage are expected to make a substantial global impact, establishing new benchmarks for energy efficiency and sustainability.
In my last column, I focused on talking about how engineered plumbing systems were at a crossroads. This month, I would like to discuss some of the emerging trends in plumbing science.