Read that again. Carpentry. Plumbing. Electrical. HVAC.

If you run a home service business, that’s not only a headline about Home Depot, that’s a direct line into your world and future.

The Problem

There are 400,000 open construction trade jobs in the U.S. today. And with a generation of skilled workers retiring, that number is only climbing. A study from the Home Builders Institute and the University of Denver projects this workforce gap could cost the residential construction industry $10.8 billion through slower build times and lost production.

This isn’t abstract. It’s why you can’t find techs. It’s why your backlog grows even when leads keep flowing. It’s why owners keep saying “we could double revenue tomorrow if we had the people.”

Why This Matters to You

• Recruiting starts earlier than you think. Boys & Girls Clubs will now be teaching kids hands-on skills in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and carpentry. That’s a pipeline forming in your city. If you’re not visible there, another contractor will be.

• The Path to Pro network already exists. Home Depot’s Path to Pro program has a database of more than 65,000 candidates seeking employment in the trades. Free to access, free to connect. That’s essentially a recruiting pool sitting untapped.

• Veteran pipelines are expanding. Grants from this $10 million will also fund Folds of Honor scholarships for veterans entering trade schools and military transition programs that lead straight to jobs. These are disciplined, career-ready hires if you build the right pathways.

What Business Owners Can Do

1. Show up locally. Contact your nearest Boys & Girls Club and ask how you can get involved. Volunteer, sponsor, or offer apprenticeships. Parents, teens, and community leaders will remember your company’s name.

2. Plug into Path to Pro. It’s a free recruiting tool already populated with tens of thousands of motivated candidates. Stop complaining about “no good applicants” and start fishing where the pond is stocked.

3. Sell your company as a career builder. Don’t just offer jobs. Offer certifications, upward mobility, and a roadmap for a real career. The companies that win talent now are the ones showing how a new hire can grow.

4. Market your involvement. Homeowners love to support contractors who support the community. Share stories about your apprentices, highlight volunteer days, and showcase how your business invests in the future of the trades.

“This workforce gap could cost the residential construction industry $10.8 billion.” — Home Builders Institute & University of Denver

This isn’t a story about Home Depot. It’s a story about your business. The trades are finally getting big-league attention over the past few years. The question is whether you’ll watch from the sidelines or start building the pipeline that will keep your company alive.