Every jobsite, building, and facility depends on skilled trades, but the workforce behind it has become harder to find. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the industry will need more than 800,000 electricians to meet demand over the next 10 years — while already facing a shortage of more than 80,000 workers today. Additionally, the current population survey released by the BLS shows the shortage is driven by the need to replace retiring workers, while industry groups like the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) point to a shrinking pipeline of younger workers entering the trades.
As we recognize National Skilled Trades Day this May, it’s an opportunity to spotlight those doing the work today while also putting in the time to help support and develop the next generation of electricians.
Industry shortage and the growing demand
According to annual averages of household data from the BLS, nearly one-fifth of electricians is age 55 or older, with many approaching retirement.
When the workforce is broken down by age, the need for replacement workers becomes more visible.
However, according to the Electrical Contractor Magazine (ECMag) and a recent research report from ELECTRI International, the industry is challenged with attracting younger workers.
Beyond open roles: a skills gap
According to a recent survey from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER):
- 57% of firms say applicants don’t have the required skills, certifications, or training
- 88% of construction firms report having open positions for craft workers*
- 83% say those roles are difficult to fill
- 77% specifically say electricians are hard to hire, highlighting ongoing electrician shortages
*A craft worker is defined by the AGC and NCCER as a skilled tradesperson who specializes in building, repairing, or creating structures and systems using technical knowledge, hand tools, and manual labor.
Additionally, a study analyzing data from ECMag, Indeed, and the Philadelphia Technician Training Institute, found that roughly one-third of the skills deficit is due to National Electrical Code (NEC) compliance — the foundational training for electricians.
Addressing the shortage at the state level
While the labor shortage is a national issue, states are starting to take a more active role in building the workforce behind it. Many are investing in structured pathways into the trades, with a strong focus on apprenticeships and hands-on training that help answer questions like how to be an electrician in the U.S.
Georgia, for example, has identified electricians as a high-demand career; the state has expanded workforce development efforts through programs like the High Demand Apprenticeship Program (HDAP), supported by Governor Brian Kemp.
There’s also a growing push to introduce the trades earlier, giving students exposure before they even reach high school. The approach builds awareness sooner, allowing students to see the trades as a viable and rewarding career path from the start.
Teaching the trades — as early as the second grade
For its first year, Union County Elementary School in Blairsville, GA, has launched a “Basics of Construction” class to students with exposure to electrical work.
By eighth grade, students can take courses like Industrial Safety, where they begin learning how to properly handle tools and equipment.
At the high school level, that foundation turns into more structured training. Through the Union County College and Career Academy (UCCCA), students can take courses like Industry Fundamentals and Occupational Safety, Introduction to Construction, and Electrical I, where they gain hands-on experience and explore skilled trade careers for students.
Outside the classroom, students can apply their skills through Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), like SkillsUSA, where they compete at regional and national levels.
In partnership with Habitat for Humanity, construction students help build homes, while electrical students handle the wiring. These experiences give students early exposure to the field and a clearer path into careers, like construction management, architecture, and electrical work.
And soon, students will be able to earn technical college credit before they even graduate high school, with those credits supported at North Georgia Technical College (NGTC).
Continuing education (CE) at electrical supply houses
While early exposure is critical to bringing new people into the trades, ongoing training plays just as important a role in keeping the existing workforce active and qualified.
Earlier this year, City Electric Supply (CES) Young Harris hosted its 10th one-day electrical license renewal event, drawing electricians from both North Carolina and Georgia, along with non-electricians interested in learning more about the trade.
These events are open to the public, making them accessible for those looking to stay licensed and for anyone curious about the field.
And in a time when the industry is already short on skilled labor, keeping qualified workers compliant and on the job is just as important as bringing in new ones.
What’s next for the industry?
The trades shortage is real, but so are the efforts to solve it.
It’s in classrooms where students are learning how to wire their first circuit. It’s in high schools where they’re stepping into the real world to apply what they’ve learned. It’s also in electrical supply houses, where experienced electricians pass on their knowledge.
With demand continuing to grow, the opportunity for the next generation has never been clearer.
Last updated on May 6, 2026