- Amidst a national skilled labor shortage, 88% of
tradespeople in Orlando say that
easier access to necessary tools would attract more workers to the
construction industry
- The majority of tradespeople (92%) say that not having the
right tools or losing a tool on the jobsite is a significant
hindrance to productivity
- This year, DEWALT will gift 100 tool kits to graduates of
The Home Builders Institute's (HBI) Orlando BuildStrong Academy to
jumpstart their trades careers, including the latest cohort
graduating on July 26
TOWSON,
Md., July 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new survey
of Orlando-based tradespeople
from DEWALT, a Stanley Black
& Decker (NYSE: SWK) brand and leader in total jobsite
solutions, found that 78% of tradespeople agree that the initial
buy-in cost of tools, which can range from several thousands to
upwards of $10,000, was a barrier to
getting started in their career. As the nation grapples with a
skilled labor shortage consisting of more than 500,000 open
construction jobs, the DEWALT Tool Talk Survey examined how having
the right tools for the job impacts those beginning a career in the
trades.
"Our findings tell us that two in three tradespeople in
Orlando (66%) did not own all the
tools needed for their job upon starting their career, and of
those, half (52%) say they saved up or took out a loan to purchase
tools," said Jeff Doehne, President,
U.S. Retail, Stanley Black &
Decker. "As part of DEWALT's commitment to grow the trades, we are
making every effort to empower those starting out by supplying the
tools young professionals need to be successful from day one."
Proper Tools are Worth the Investment
Upon the start of their career, nearly 3 in 5 tradespeople (57%)
cite the need to replace their toolset with more heavy-duty tools
or not having the tools they need as the biggest roadblocks.
Not surprisingly then, 93% of tradespeople say that investing in
durable, high-performance tools is worth paying a higher cost. For
nearly 3 in 4 tradespeople (72%), it took two years or less to see
a return on the money spent on their initial investment in
tools.
As their careers progress, more than 3 in 4 tradespeople (78%)
are refreshing or replacing their tools at least once a year with
65% estimating their annual investment in tools, batteries and
accessories to be $10,000 or more.
Further, 41% estimate this investment is $25,000 or more.
Access to Tools May Attract More Workers to the Construction
Industry
For more than 4 in 5 tradespeople (86%), it would have been
extremely significant or very significant to receive a gift of core
tools for their trade upon the start of their career, while 88% go
as far to say that easier access to necessary tools would attract
more workers to the construction industry.
As part of DEWALT's Grow the Trades initiative, a $30 million commitment over five years to close
the skilled trades gap in the U.S., DEWALT will provide tool kits
to 100 students of HBI's BuildStrong Academy in Orlando throughout the year. DEWALT will be
onsite to hand deliver kits to the latest graduating class on
Friday, July 26.
In March 2024, DEWALT partnered
with The Home Builders Institute, the nation's leading nonprofit
provider of trade skills training and education for the building
industry, to become HBI's BuildStrong Academy Tool Trade Sponsor.
HBI's BuildStrong Academy in Orlando is a tuition-free, industry-driven
academy that provides hands-on training and education for anyone
interested in pursuing a career in construction. In addition to
hands on training, the organization focuses on professional
development, mentoring, and ongoing support, equipping students
with the necessary skills and certifications to meet the demand for
skilled workers.
To learn more about the DEWALT's Grow the Trades initiative,
please visit: www.dewalt.com/growthetrades.
To learn more about the HBI's BuildStrong Academy, please visit:
hbi.org.
Methodology
DEWALT commissioned Atomik Research to
conduct an online survey of 903
tradespeople1 throughout the United States. The sample consists of
tradespeople from three markets, Orlando,
FL (n=300), Houston, TX
(n=301) and Phoenix, AZ (n=302).
Fieldwork took place between November 15 and
November 21, 2023. The margin of error for the overall
sample is +/- 3 percentage points with a confidence interval of 95
percent. Atomik Research is an independent creative market research
agency.
About DEWALT
DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand, celebrates 100
years in business by continuing to provide our customers with total
jobsite and outdoor solutions. By applying its latest technology to
the challenges of today's skilled trades, DEWALT is leading the
charge for the jobsite of the future and is pioneering the next
generation of tools, outdoor equipment and forward-looking
technologies. DEWALT products. GUARANTEED TOUGH®. For
more information, visit www.dewalt.com or follow DEWALT
on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About Stanley Black &
Decker
Headquartered in the USA, Stanley
Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is a worldwide leader in
Tools and Outdoor, operating manufacturing facilities globally. The
company's more than 50,000 diverse and high-performing employees
produce innovative end-user inspired power tools, hand tools,
storage, digital jobsite solutions, outdoor and lifestyle products,
and engineered fasteners to support the world's builders,
tradespeople and DIYers. The company's world class portfolio of
trusted brands includes DEWALT®, CRAFTSMAN®,
STANLEY®, BLACK+DECKER®, and Cub
Cadet®. To learn more
visit: www.stanleyblackanddecker.com.
1In order to qualify for participation in the study,
participants must indicate a trades profession in the electrical,
carpentry, mechanical, plumbing/pipe trades, general contracting,
masonry /concrete, flooring, framing or HVAC trade.
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