The U.S. is facing a serious shortage of skilled tradespeople, and it’s not slowing down. While AI and automation make headlines, industries like electrical work, HVAC, plumbing, and welding are struggling to find enough workers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports over 7 million unfilled jobs, many in the trades. Meanwhile, more electricians retire each year than enter the field—a problem that, if left unchecked, could threaten the infrastructure we all rely on.
A recent Forbes article titled “Urgent Need For Blue-Collar Revival: Shift Mindsets, Invest In Skills” highlights the reasons behind this growing crisis. The cultural bias favoring four-year degrees has steered too many young people away from hands-on careers. Yet, these careers offer strong pay, job security, and the satisfaction of building something real—without the crushing student debt that often comes with a traditional college education.
Barts Electric: We Build People
At Barts Electric, we’re doing our part to close this gap. We’re hiring electricians, apprentices, project managers, and more. And we’re not just offering jobs—we’re offering careers.
We believe in the earn-to-learn model, which is why we’ve built our own in-house apprenticeship program that allows new workers to get paid while they train. Our program follows a structured curriculum that teaches real-world electrical skills from experienced and patient instructors in our specialized training center, before continuing that education on an actual jobsite.
We don’t believe in the outdated idea that success only comes from a college degree. Success comes from hard work, skill-building, and opportunity. That’s why we give our employees the chance to grow—from apprentice to journeyman, from journeyman to foreman, and beyond. We’ve seen it happen time and time again, with team members who started from scratch and are now leading major projects (even entire divisions of the company).
The Blue-Collar Renaissance Starts Now
As the Forbes article points out, this isn’t just an economic issue—it’s a cultural one. If America is going to solve its skilled labor shortage, we need to stoptreating trade careers as a backup plan. The reality is, trades are the backbone of our economy, and they offer an incredible path for those willing to work hard and learn.
Barts Electric is proof that the trades aren’t just surviving—they’re thriving. We’re growing fast, we’re hiring, and we’re looking for people who want to build something bigger than a paycheck.
Are you ready to power up your career? Join us. Apply today.