Initiative Targets Skilled Trades in Facilities
Business Roundtable will collaborate with companies, outside experts and non-profit groups to develop tools to help close the talent gap in trades. July 9, 2025
By Dan Hounsell, Senior Editor
Many maintenance and engineering managers have struggled for years to effectively staff their departments as the pool of qualified, interested candidates for front-line technician jobs in institutional and commercial facilities has shrunk severely. Now, managers have a much-needed resource at their disposal.
Business Roundtable recently launched a new initiative to address worker shortages in skilled trades by strengthening talent pipelines. The organization’s Skilled Trades Initiative will collaborate with companies, outside experts and non-profit groups on developing resources, training and other tools to help close the talent gap in these trades.
The new initiative will focus on trades most closely associated with the growth of America’s economy that emphasize the use of tools and materials to build, move or repair products and structures. This includes to the following roles:
- Maintenance and repair trades. Heavy equipment technician, HVAC technician, engine repair, facilities maintenance.
- Construction and building trades. Carpenter, electrician, plumber, steamfitter, pipefitter, mason, painter, residential construction laborer/remodeler.
- Energy trades. Lineworker, solar photovoltaic installer, transmission and distribution technician, power plant technician.
Business Roundtable member companies will have access to:
- forums to highlight innovative best practices and other shared learning opportunities, including peers and external partners such as community colleges
- tools to support specific company needs, including outlining ways to engage effectively with K-12 schools on skilled trades
- workgroups to develop a shared skills taxonomy that will outline career pathways across skilled trades roles, supporting company talent pipeline development and worker mobility
- connections with professional associations for skilled trades workers with strong training programs and a track record of partnership with companies.
Dan Hounsell is senior editor for the facilities market. He has more than 30 years of experience writing about facilities maintenance, engineering and management.
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