The Skills Gap: Know the Numbers

Building the Trade Workforce of the Future

Skilled trade jobs are an essential part of our workforce – they help build our world. Right now, there is a high demand for skilled jobs and a shortage of skilled labor. Stanley Black & Decker’s Empower Makers Global Impact Challenge will award Makers Grants to nonprofits supporting trade workforce development initiatives. The commitment is aimed at supporting vocational skills training and retaining programs, particularly in the fields of construction and manufacturing.

A person welding

Know the Numbers

Shining a light on the trade skills gap, one of the greatest challenges facing our world today, and the estimated 10 million currently unfilled global manufacturing jobs.

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Our Commitment

$25M

DONATIONS

for nonprofits

3M

MAKERS

skilled and reskilled

5+

YEARS

commitment
Why? A Staggering Skill Gap

Why? A Staggering Skill Gap

Know the Numbers

Open Opportunities in Manufacturing, Construction & More

Icon of the globe

10M Unfilled Manufacturing Jobs Globally¹

1 World Economic Forum/Deloitte

Icon of the U.S.

3M Skilled Trades Job Openings in the U.S. by 2028²

2 Generation T

Icon of hard hat

430,000 Open Construction Jobs in the U.S.³

3 Construction Spending and Employment

Impact of COVID-19

Icon of a hammer in a hand

22M Jobs Lost in Advanced Economies Due to the Pandemic⁴

4 OECD and CNBC

Icon of safety vest

15M Jobs Created by Infrastructure Bill Over 10 Years⁵

5 SkillPointe

Engineering icon

5.6% Decline in CTE (Career & Technical Education) Enrollment Because of the Pandemic⁶

6 Impact of COVID-19 on Careers & Technical Education Courses

Benefits of Career & Technical Education (CTE)

Trade school costs less than a bachelor’s degree.

 

Four-Year College Degree

Trade School Program

Average Cost7

$127,000

$33,0007

Retirement Earnings (age 65)9

3.3M

3.9M

Average Repayment Time8

21 years

21 years

 

7 Community for Accredited Online Schools

8 MoneyWise

9 Generation T

Stanley Black & Decker employee standing in front of a yellow wall that says For Those Who Make The World

Numbers Are on Your Side

Immediate Career Opportunities

Did you know $49,76410 is the median wage for workers in the U.S.? Skilled tradespeople have plenty more earning potential.

Come Work With Us

Trades by the Numbers

The following is data from CareerOneStop, a platform sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor

 

Plumbers

Electricians

Manufacturing

Engineers

Total Employment

500,300

715,400

87,100

157,800

Median Annual Wage

$55,160

$55,180

$62,990

$99,040

Job Openings

66,160

94,600

8,800

11,700

Education/Experience

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • No work experience
  • Apprenticeship
  • 47% have a high school diploma or equivalent
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • No work experience
  • Apprenticeship
  • 38% have a high school diploma or equivalent

 

  • Associate’s degree
  • No work experience
  • No on-the-job training
  • 23% have a high school diploma or equivalent
  • 31% have some college and no degree
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • No work experience
  • No on-the-job training
  • 3% have a high school diploma or equivalent
  • 47% have a bachelor’s degree

About Stanley Black & Decker

Headquartered in the USA, Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is the world’s largest tool company operating nearly 50 manufacturing facilities across America and more than 100 worldwide. Guided by its purpose – for those who make the world – the company’s more than 60,000 diverse and high-performing employees produce innovative, award-winning power tools, hand tools, storage, digital tool solutions, lifestyle products, outdoor products, engineered fasteners and other industrial equipment to support the world’s makers, creators, tradespeople and builders. The company’s iconic brands include DEWALT®, BLACK+DECKER®, CRAFTSMAN®, STANLEY®, CUB CADET®, HUSTLER® and TROY-BILT®. Recognized for its leadership in environmental, social and governance (ESG), Stanley Black & Decker strives to be a force for good in support of its communities, employees, customers and other stakeholders.

More information about the Empower Makers Impact Challenge

More information about the trades

 

Sources:

[1] World Economic Forum/Deloitte

[2] Generation T

[3] CONSTRUCTION SPENDING AND EMPLOYMENT

[4] OECD and CNBC

[5] SkillPointe

[6] Impact of COVID-19 on Careers & Technical Education Courses

[7] Community for Accredited Online Schools

[8] MoneyWise

[9] Generation T

[10] The Balance Careers