The National Fire Protection Association released findings from its third annual industry survey conducted at the NFPA 2025 Conference & Expo. The survey highlights how people across the skilled trades are viewing industry changes and where their fields are headed, against the backdrop of persistent labor shortages and growing demands fueled by infrastructure investment and technological advancement.
“The skilled trades are at a turning point: rising safety hazards, rapid technology adoption and an unprecedented demand for training are reshaping how work gets done,” said Jim Pauley, president and CEO at NFPA. “Leaders must understand how these forces are affecting skilled professionals. Meeting workers where they are and responding to their needs with targeted technology, robust training and strong professional support will be critical to sustaining the industry’s growth and resilience.”
Key findings include:
AI, digital tools gain momentum in skilled trades
- An overwhelming majority (95%) of respondents believe that AI has a purpose in at least some day-to-day job functions in the skilled trades.
- Thirty-one percent (31%) of respondents see AI as a tool to help skilled trade workers streamline tasks amid ongoing labor shortages.
- Thirty-nine percent (39%) are hopeful AI will spur industry growth and make the trades more appealing to the younger, tech-savvy workers.
- Twenty-five percent (25%) of respondents remain skeptical of AI’s purpose in the skilled trades, though many have seen a variety of benefits from the adoption of advanced technologies.
- Over half, 64% of respondents, have noticed an improvement in workflows and collaboration among teams since implementing digital tools. In addition, 57% of respondents use NFPA LiNK individually or within the organization, a 6% increase from 2024 findings.
Training and certifications are priorities, but barriers remain
- The survey revealed training remains top of mind for industry professionals. Seventy-eight percent (78%) of skilled workers participate in at least one NFPA training and development program a year; of this group, 43% participate once a quarter, and 17% participate twice a year.
Despite the appetite for training, barriers remain. These include:
- Lack of time for participation (35%)
- High costs (30%)
- Lack of access to a qualified instructor (24%)
- Challenges determining the right training opportunities (23%)
- Notably, the prevalence of these challenges has decreased by an average of 26% year-over-year, indicating more organizations are prioritizing training and development.
The survey results suggest that the skilled trades are undergoing a quiet but important transformation – one that blends tradition with innovation for a tech-driven future. Leaders across the skilled trades have an opportunity to use new technologies, leverage training and development opportunities, and participate in professional memberships to modernize and address ongoing labor shortages. As a result, digital transformation is no longer optional for organizations committed to the industry’s development.
