Skip to content
MarketScale
‹ Back to IndustriesEngineering & Construction

Reducing the Gap in Skilled Trades Can Be Solved by Boosting Trade Education Initiatives

This episode of Straight Outta Crumpton examines the growing skilled trades workforce gap driven by a generational workforce exodus. Host Greg Crumpton and guest Lance Furuyama discuss how boosting trade education initiatives can attract and prepare the next generation of skilled workers. The conversation highlights practical strategies for industries and educators to collaborate on closing the gap.

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Engineering & Construction teams put it to work with Partner & Channel Enablement.

Promoted content from Straight Outta Crumpton on MarketScale.

By Greg Crumpton · Greg CrumptonLance FuruyamaSkilled TradesStraight Outta Crumpton
Share

Key takeaways

01

A generational workforce exodus is accelerating the skilled trades shortage across multiple industries.

02

Expanding and improving trade education programs is a key lever for attracting younger workers to skilled trades.

03

Industry collaboration with educators and platforms like TradePartnerHQ.com can help bridge the workforce gap.

Currently, skilled trades are facing significant shortages making the need for innovative solutions and passionate involvement more urgent than before. Statistics indicate a looming gap in the workforce, expected to reach millions in the next decade, as older generations retire without sufficient newcomers to fill their roles. At the heart of this issue is not just the necessity for workers, but the need for a new approach to education and recruitment in these essential sectors.

At the heart of this issue is not just the necessity for workers, but the need for a new approach to education and recruitment in these essential sectors.

What can be done to bridge this gap and invigorate interest in the trades among the younger generations?

On the latest episode of "Straight Outta Crumpton," host Greg Crumpton welcomed Lance Furuyama, founder of TradePartnerHQ.com, to discuss the changing landscape of trade education and recruitment. In this engaging episode, they explore how digital tools and community efforts can be harnessed to attract and retain talent in the trades.

Crumpton's and Furuyama's conversation discussed:

  • How digital platforms can transform trade education.
  • The importance of building partnerships within the trade community to enhance recruitment.
  • Furuyama's initiatives for funding and supporting trade education through creative means.

Lance Furuyama has a background in e-waste recycling and data center decommissioning, fields intertwined with various mechanical and electrical trades. His passion is focused on involvement in trade education and leveraging his marketing and fundraising skills to support and promote the trades.

Straight Outta Crumpton

Part of this channel

Straight Outta Crumpton

Greg Crumpton on why relationships are the foundation of business

Visit the channel →

About the author

Greg Crumpton
Greg CrumptonVice President

Straight Outta Crumpton Greg's personal & professional goals are to serve the people that he am working with and/or for. He carries this mantra in his professional life and his home life. Having 40+ years as a full-service mechanical and mission critical environments contractor with a heavy emphasis on service, maintenance and repair. Greg specialize in mission critical cooling (Heat Rejection) and electrical infrastructures, as well as the comfort cooling surrounding them. As a continual entrepreneur, several markets strike him as interesting. As varied as you could imagine, they range from Coffee with my bud's at www.CommonPlaceCoffee.com, all the way to serving as an adviser for several start-ups in the emerging technology world via www.aGlobalVenture.com & www.AtomPower.com and others. Giving back to his community is of equal importance to him, www.apparo.org and Animal Welfare are just a couple ways of doing just that.

Engineering & Construction: are you visible to AI?

Before they reach out, Engineering & Construction buyers ask AI engines which vendors to trust. See how AI describes your company today, and where competitors show up instead.

Free workspace

You just read one Engineering & Construction expert. Imagine publishing your whole team.

This article was produced through MarketScale. Create a free workspace and turn your own team's Engineering & Construction expertise into the articles, video, and social content B2B marketing buyers in your industry are searching for. No credit card, no demo required.

NPS +73 · 1,000+ creators · 38+ countries

What you get, free

Your own MarketScale Studio workspace
One video edit a month, on us
AI writing, editing, and publishing tools
In-platform coaching to learn the system

More Engineering & Construction Insights

Albany's construction sector signals growth from Regeneron's $2B expansion to rising contractor billings

Albany's construction sector signals growth from Regeneron's $2B expansion to rising contractor billings

Albany's construction sector is experiencing growth fueled by Regeneron's $2 billion expansion in Saratoga and an increase in contractor billings. Several new regional offices are opening, contributing to a busy construction cycle in the Capital Region.

  • 01Regeneron is investing $2 billion in its Saratoga facilities, boosting the local construction sector.
  • 02Contractor billings in the Capital Region are on the rise, indicating a growth trend in construction activity.
  • 03The opening of new regional offices is supporting the expansion of construction efforts in the area.

Jul 20, 2026

MasTec acquires Superior Group for $1.65B as grid buildout drives contractor consolidation

MasTec acquires Superior Group for $1.65B as grid buildout drives contractor consolidation

MasTec has acquired Superior Group for $1.65 billion in an all-cash deal, enhancing its utility portfolio. This acquisition comes as the clean energy sector is set to grow with upcoming federal awards. The acquisition brings in specialized electrical crews and equipment to MasTec.

  • 01MasTec acquired Superior Group for $1.65 billion in an all-cash transaction.
  • 02The acquisition strengthens MasTec's utility portfolio with specialized electrical crews and equipment.
  • 03The deal prepares MasTec for forthcoming federal clean energy awards.

Jul 19, 2026

Automated factories are raising the bar on efficiency. Here's where the benchmark sits in 2026

Automated factories are raising the bar on efficiency. Here's where the benchmark sits in 2026

Automated factories are significantly enhancing efficiency in manufacturing. Notable examples include Foxconn's lighthouse factory achieving a 45% cost reduction and GM's heavily robotized EV plant, which showcase the evolving standards in industry practices. These advancements set new benchmarks for world-class manufacturing as of 2026.

  • 01Foxconn's lighthouse factory achieved a 45% cost reduction through automation.
  • 02GM's EV plant features extensive use of robots, highlighting automation's role in efficiency.
  • 03New benchmarks in manufacturing are being established by advancements in factory automation.

Jul 18, 2026

Explore More Engineering & Construction Insights

Read more expert perspectives from across Engineering & Construction.

Browse Engineering & Construction Hub

About the Experts

Greg Crumpton, host of Straight Outta Crumpton
Greg Crumpton

Host, Straight Outta Crumpton

Greg Crumpton is the host of Straight Outta Crumpton, a podcast focused on the skilled trades and facilities management industries. He is a veteran of the building services and HVAC industry with decades of experience in workforce development and trades advocacy. Crumpton regularly interviews industry leaders and educators to explore solutions to the skilled trades workforce gap.

LF
Lance Furuyama

TradePartnerHQ.com

Lance Furuyama is associated with TradePartnerHQ.com, a platform connected to skilled trades education and workforce development initiatives. He appears as a guest on Straight Outta Crumpton discussing strategies to address the skilled trades workforce gap.

For B2B teams

Your experts could be publishing here

Stories like this one run on content MarketScale captures from real practitioners. See how your team's expertise becomes coverage in Engineering & Construction and beyond.

Book a 15-minute demo

Or call us. No forms required. We pick up. 214-945-2512