- Amidst a national skilled labor shortage, 88% of
tradespeople in Houston 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) Houston BuildStrong Academy to
jumpstart their trades careers, including the latest cohort
graduating on August 23
TOWSON,
Md., Aug. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new survey
of Houston-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
Houston (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 Houston throughout the year. DEWALT will be
onsite to hand deliver kits to the latest graduating class on
Friday, August 23.
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 Houston 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 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.
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.
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
Founded in 1843 and headquartered in the USA, Stanley
Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is a
worldwide leader in Tools and Outdoor, operating manufacturing
facilities globally. The Company's approximately 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 or follow Stanley Black & Decker
on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/3-out-of-4-houston-based-tradespeople-say-that-investment-in-their-tools-was-a-barrier-to-beginning-their-career-dewalt-tool-talk-survey-finds-302227521.html
SOURCE DEWALT