Irwin promotes National Tradesmen Day

Friday marks the fourth annual National Tradesmen Day, the brainchild of IRWIN Tools to celebrate the contributions of trade professionals and encourage young men and women to take up skilled trade jobs.

In addition to honoring skilled workers, National Tradesmen Day raises awareness of the national shortage of tradesmen, according to Irwin.

On Sept. 19, Irwin encourages Americans to show their gratitude to tradesmen in ways such as thanking a plumber or electrician who had done a good job, supporting a local trade school or discussing the contributions of tradesmen with your children.

“Irwin Tools established National Tradesmen Day in 2011 to both celebrate the exceptional work of America’s skilled trade professionals and thank them for their continued contributions,” said Rich Mathews, senior VP Irwin Tools. “We all owe a debt of gratitude to professional tradesmen. Without these hard working men and women, our nation’s infrastructure and our way of life would come to a screeching halt.”

Only one skilled trade worker enters the workforce for every three who retire and the fifth consecutive year, skilled trade jobs are the hardest to fill, according to the ManpowerGroup. At the same time, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave American infrastructure a D+ rating in 2013, highlighting the growing need for tradesmen.

“National Tradesmen Day is an opportunity for each of us to pause and take the time to thank a trade professional,” said Mathews.