CMU School of Drama


Friday, August 28, 2026

Over $900M requested through BlackRock Future Builders program, skilled trades demand grows

Woodworking Network: The first national Request for Proposals (RFP) from BlackRock Future Builders has closed after drawing more than 1,000 applications from organizations across the country, highlighting the growing demand for resources that help connect more Americans to skilled trades careers.

1 comment:

JoyceILoveCats123 said...

There is such a huge demand for people in trades like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, welding, pipefitting, ironworking, and so many others. What really caught my attention was that organizations working to train and support these workers requested more than $900 million in funding through the BlackRock Future Builders program. The BlackRock Foundation committed $25 million through two funding cycles to help workers access high-quality skilled trades training, which is a great investment in the workforce. But when you see that organizations were asking for over $900 million, it really puts into perspective how much need there is out there. And even with investments like this in training, the demand for skilled workers continues to grow. The article points to estimates that as many as 2.1 million skilled trades positions could go unfilled by 2030. I think that is pretty interesting because we hear so much about technology, AI, and college careers, but there is still a massive need for people with hands-on skills who can actually build, repair, install, and maintain the things the country depends on.