No single statistic can fully capture the skilled trades market. Evidence from global, industry and labour market research points to several connected trends — from rising demand for specific roles to persistent hiring pressures and shifting skill requirements.

The Skilled Trades Talent Market Signals 2026 is a research snapshot for HR and workforce leaders in industries that rely on skilled trades. It brings together global labour market analysis and Randstad research to support your workforce planning with role-level and location-specific evidence.

inside this report, you will discover:

• Market Demand: See where hiring demand is growing across traditional and tech-enabled skilled roles.

• Workforce Availability: Explore how labour shortages differ across occupations, industries and locations.

• Changing Roles: Understand how automation and digital technologies are reshaping specific skilled trades.

• Planning Priorities: Identify the workforce questions external market evidence can help you answer.

External evidence is just the starting point. Download the report to understand which market signals matter most for your workforce planning.