2021 Skilled Trades in America: From Great Resignation to Great Opportunity

Rhea-AI Summary

On Sept. 21, 2021, Angi released its second annual Skilled Trades in America Report, revealing that 83% of tradespeople are satisfied with their jobs amidst a national labor shortage. Despite high job satisfaction and demand for home services, 77% of tradespeople believe the labor shortage has worsened over the past year. Key findings include 68% struggling to hire qualified workers, and over half stating workforce shortages hinder growth. The report emphasizes the need for diversified recruitment efforts to attract underrepresented groups in the industry.

Positive

• 83% of tradespeople report high job satisfaction.
• High demand for skilled home services presents growth opportunities.
• Focus on diversifying recruitment may attract new talent.

Negative

• 77% of tradespeople see the labor shortage worsening.
• 68% struggle to hire skilled workers, hindering business growth.
• Aging workforce with 27% near retirement age raises concerns.

DENVER, Sept. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- While U.S. workers express discontent in their jobs and careers leading to what is now called "The Great Resignation," there is one industry that stands apart: the skilled home trades. According to Angi's second annual Skilled Trades in America Report, job satisfaction in the skilled trades remains remarkably high, with 83% of tradespeople satisfied in their choice of work. However, despite high job satisfaction, high pay and high levels of entrepreneurship, the skilled trades face a worsening labor shortage, and over three-quarters of tradespeople (77%) view it as a problem that has gotten worse over the last year.

Employee engagement in the U.S. is at a low rate of 34% and workers' daily stress is at a record high.¹ The recent resignations from jobs where employees feel disengaged leaves a sizeable workforce looking for opportunities to find future careers where they feel engaged and like they are doing something meaningful each day. Meanwhile, the top driver for overall satisfaction in the skilled home trades is the meaning and value in the work.

"On one side you have disengaged workers leaving their jobs and on the other you have skilled home tradespeople saying they are happy because they find meaning and value in their work, making it a unique and opportune time to attract new talent to these careers, while also improving employee engagement across the country," said Oisin Hanrahan, CEO at Angi. "It's time to recognize that the skilled trades offer the opportunity for people to find engaging and high-paying careers. Everywhere there is a home, there is a network of small businesses that support that home and homeowner, and these are extremely needed and valued careers."

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a steady increase in demand for home services as homeowners take on more projects and spend more money on their homes than before.² Yet, despite demand for the work and satisfaction among workers, the skilled trades have been experiencing a chronic labor shortage and, according to this year's report, the perception among tradespeople is that the shortage continues to worsen. 68% of tradespeople have struggled to hire skilled workers and over one-third (35%) are slightly or extremely understaffed. Over half of tradespeople (52%) say a lack of available workforce is stunting their growth and 68% say they could grow their business if they could find more available workers.

The skilled home workforce is also aging, with more than a quarter (27%) within 10 years of the social security retirement age of 62. However, as an entrepreneurial industry with nearly half of tradespeople as single owners and an additional 20% as part of small partnerships or LLCs, there is both a need and opportunity for younger generations to pursue and shape their own careers in the skilled home trades.

This is also an opportune time for the industry to expand recruiting efforts to underrepresented groups, such as women and BIPOC workers. While less than three percent each of electricians, plumbers and overall construction supervisors are female, nearly 9 out of 10 tradespeople believe making the trades more welcoming to women would have a modest or major impact on getting more people involved in the trades, and over half (54%) agree that more women would join the trades if we built a clearer career path for them. These findings highlight diversifying recruitment efforts as a key part of the solution to overcoming the labor shortage.

"In addition to providing engagement for the disengaged is the opportunity to diversify the skilled home trades with minorities that have been traditionally underrepresented in the industry," added Hanrahan. "By taking a fresh look at how and who the skilled trades are recruiting, there is a great opportunity to help people find meaningful work while also starting to tackle what has become a chronic labor shortage."

Additional findings:

• Material shortages impacted more than 8 of 10 tradespeople in lumber, flooring, roofing and other fixtures
• The labor shortage is worsening: 77% of tradespeople view it as a problem compared to 71% a year ago
• 74% of tradespeople shift their mix of work between existing residential construction and other forms of work (incl. commercial buildings and new construction), with 60% citing changing market demand as the primary reason for shifting work mix
• The skilled trades are aging: the median age of 43 is roughly 10% older than the general population
• Nearly half of all pros adopted some form of expanded digital payment in the last year

Read the full Skilled Trades in America report here.

Methodology
This research report was compiled based on Angi analysis of American Community Survey (ACS) Public Use Microdata and two surveys of 2,400 skilled tradespeople conducted between August 4^th and August 17^th, 2021. The survey panels were provided by Pollfish, a 3^rd party survey and panel provider that delivers online surveys globally through mobile apps and the mobile web along with the desktop web. Each survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of ± 3.0% at a 95% confidence level. The sample targeted skilled tradespeople and no post sample weighting was applied.

About Angi
Angi® is your home for everything home—a comprehensive solution for all your home needs. From repairs and renovations to products and financing, Angi is transforming every touch point in home services. With over 25 years of experience and a network of nearly 250,000 pros, we have helped more than 150 million people with their home needs. Angi is your partner for every part of your home care journey. Angi is an operating business of Angi Inc., formerly ANGI Homeservices Inc. (NASDAQ: ANGI).

Angi Media Contact
Alaina Merrill
Director of Media Relations
alaina.merrill@angi.com 
(303) 963-8352

¹State of the Global Workplace 2021 Report. Washington, D.C.: Gallup. Retrieved from https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx.
²Fisher, Mischa. State of Home Spending Report. Denver, Colorado: Angi. Retrieved from https://www.angi.com/research/reports/spending/.

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SOURCE Angi

FAQ

What are the key findings from Angi's Skilled Trades in America Report?

The report highlights high job satisfaction at 83% among tradespeople, but 77% feel the labor shortage is worsening, with 68% struggling to hire qualified workers.

How does the labor shortage affect tradespeople according to Angi?

Many tradespeople report that the labor shortage stunts business growth, with over half indicating they could expand if they could find more workers.

What actions are suggested to address the skilled trades labor shortage?

The report recommends diversifying recruitment efforts to attract underrepresented groups, including women and minorities, to the skilled trades.

How prevalent is job satisfaction among skilled tradespeople?

According to Angi, 83% of tradespeople express satisfaction in their work, valuing meaning and purpose in their careers.

What demographic concerns are raised in the report regarding the workforce?

More than a quarter of tradespeople are nearing retirement age, indicating potential challenges in sustaining the workforce.