Electrician
The Outlet: April 14, 2026
Texas and Alabama sign electrician reciprocity agreement; DOE releases $1.9B for grid upgrades; journeyman pay rises 5.4% in 2026.
Trade News
Industry news, study tips, and the occasional bad joke for trade professionals.
Plumber
The Pipeline: April 14, 2026
April 2026 material price hikes hit PVC and copper hard; lead pipe replacement could create 90,000 plumbing jobs; commercial gas water heaters must go condensing by October 2026.
Electrician
The Outlet: April 7, 2026
NEC 2026 tightens EV charger installation rules, AI data center boom creates Gen Z electrician careers, microgrids and energy storage redefine the trade
Plumber
The Pipeline: April 7, 2026
Georgia adopts 2024 IPC with new state amendments, smart water monitoring goes mainstream, America's plumber shortage could hit 550,000 by 2027
Electrician
The Outlet: March 29, 2026
AI data center boom creates critical electrician shortage; DOE announces $1.9B grid investment; bipartisan REWIRE Act targets grid modernization.
Plumber
The Pipeline: March 29, 2026
Louisiana plumbing license bill sparks industry debate; Illinois lead pipe replacement could create 90,000 jobs; IAPMO launches March4Water 2026 campaign.
Electrician
The Outlet: March 15, 2026
Texas adopts 2026 NEC effective September 1, electrification rules reshape contractor exam content, solar and battery storage drive record 86 GW of new U.S. capacity.
Plumber
The Pipeline: March 15, 2026
LIXIL study reveals 550,000 unfilled plumbing jobs could cost billions, 2026 plumbing outlook shows cautious stability, EPA redirects $4.1B for lead pipe removal.
Electrician
The Outlet: March 9, 2026
Skilled trades ranked most AI-proof careers, Siemens Foundation launches $9.25M electrical workforce initiative, 7 key 2026 NEC changes contractors need to know.
Plumber
The Pipeline: March 9, 2026
Women reshaping the plumbing profession in 2026, proposed 15% global tariff threatens contractor margins, and cautious growth outlook with rising wages.
Plumber
The Pipeline: February 26, 2026
IWSH volunteer project at LA Mission, lead pipe funding cuts, and WorldSkills 2026 heads to Shanghai.
Electrician
The Outlet: February 25, 2026
Data center boom creates massive demand, 2026 NEC reshapes solar installation, and construction faces 439,000-worker shortage.
Electrician
The Outlet: February 22, 2026
2026 NEC arc-flash labeling changes, 12,000 apprentices needed by 2030, and EV charging infrastructure opportunities.
Plumber
The Pipeline: February 22, 2026
2024 IPC updates on showerhead limits, smart plumbing goes mainstream, and residential remodeling market outlook.
Plumber
The Pipeline: February 14, 2026
New DOE water heater standards, 500,000 plumber shortage, and IWSH volunteer impact report highlights.