Housecall Pro, a software platform used by over 20,000 home services companies to run their business, has launched Trade Academy to help secure the future of the next generation of tradespeople.

Trade Academy focuses on delivering value to trade school students, job seekers, and home service business owners alike. The site is a free resource that hosts industry-specific job boards where home service businesses can create an employer profile, post open job listings, and search resumes of qualified candidates in their area.

“When we talk to our customers, we consistently hear that hiring skilled tradespeople is their biggest pain point,” says Ian Heidt, president and co-founder of Housecall Pro. “We are committed to helping those looking for employment get training and find sustainable, high-paying careers. For many young people, the trades are a lucrative alternative to the traditional college path, and not enough people know that. ”

“At WD-40 Company, we’re about solving problems, and we’re committed to giving trade professionals the tools and training they need to get the job done right,” added Garry Ridge, chairman and CEO of WD-40 Co. “We’re pleased to partner with Trade Academy and support its mission to bridge the gap between home service business owners and qualified employees by creating a dedicated space for people looking to hire and get hired in the skilled trades.”

Along with a job board that is highly specialized to each trade, the site releases weekly blog posts and resources to support job seekers and employers alike. Topics range from interview questions, to trade school costs, to job description templates, and much more.

“We got a qualified candidate who applied, interviewed and hired within days of posting our job technician job opening on the job board,” said Chris Barker, owner of Elevation Mechanical. “It was the easiest time we’ve ever had hiring a new tech.”

In addition to the job board and hiring resources, Trade Academy is launching a trade school scholarship fund in the amount of $25,000 for the 2021-2022 school year. Initially open to candidates in the HVAC/R industry, students planning to enter HVAC/R trade school are eligible to win one of ten $2,500 scholarships to use towards their education.

In this day and age, young people are often told that going to college for a four-year degree is the only path to success and wealth. This is one of the biggest reasons for the huge labor shortage in the skilled trades. The Trade Academy scholarship fund aims to tackle that shortage and encourage more young people to start a career path that will persevere through the economy’s ups and downs.

“There simply aren’t enough young people entering the trades these days, which is contributing to the labor shortage,” said Brian Ciciora, CEO of TrueWerk. “I see business as a platform for advancing humanity, not just profiting from it, and we are proud to offer our support to Trade Academy. TrueWerk will be decking out all scholarship recipients with brand new work wear as they start their technician careers.”

The skilled trades are the backbone of the economy and Trade Academy, along with its founding sponsors Housecall Pro, WD-40, and TrueWerk, are dedicated to playing their part in filling the labor shortage and empowering the next generation of technicians and business owners.