Demand grew rapidly for many skilled tradespeople from the onset of Covid-19 in March 2020 through January 2021, according to an analysis by the skilled trades division of industrial staffing provider PeopleReady, a division of TrueBlue Inc. (NYSE: TBI). The research found double- and even triple-digit growth in some skilled trades sectors.
Demand doubled for drywall finishers, up 100%, and increased 94% for tile and stone setters. Other skilled trade areas where job postings soared during this same period include roofer helpers (24%), glaziers (19%), carpenters (16%), bricklayer helpers (16%), drywall installers (12%), and skilled construction workers (11%). Altogether, PeopleReady Skilled Trades found nearly 400,000 jobs posted in the sector since March 2020.
“The skilled trades don’t just hold strong in an economic downturn — but they are among the rare sectors that continue to experience significant growth in an unpredictable job market,” said Jill Quinn, executive leader of PeopleReady Skilled Trades.
With construction season approaching, the company expects to see an even higher demand for tradespeople in the workforce. According to the analysis, skilled trades job postings soared in the 30 days ending Feb. 18. Jobs seeing the most postings in that period are:
- Drywall finishers: up 300%
- Tile and stone setters: up 79%
- Boilermakers: up 78%
- Cement masons and concrete finishers: up 70%
- Painters for construction and maintenance: 69%
- Skilled construction workers: 57%
- Steamfitters and pipefitter helpers: 55%
