DECKED Launches Campaign to Highlight Value of Skilled Trades
News related to:DECKED · 2 min read
KETCHUM, Idaho, Sept. 23, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- DECKED, a company based in Ketchum, Idaho, has launched a new campaign called "Built for Those Who Build" to highlight the value and appeal of skilled trades. The initiative aims to address the underappreciation of tradespeople and the growing demand for skilled labor in the industry.
According to DECKED, 94% of tradespeople report high job satisfaction, yet 78% feel that Americans undervalue their contributions. The campaign is part of a broader effort to promote the skilled trades as a respected and in-demand career path.
The campaign includes a video series to honor different trade professions, outreach to local schools to encourage participation in the trades, and a Builder's Day event at DECKED's manufacturing facility in Defiance, Ohio, on September 30. The event will celebrate the blue-collar workers who contribute significantly to the industry.
DECKED's research, which includes an economic analysis comparing a career in the trades to a four-year college degree, reveals that a career in the trades offers a faster route to financial stability. Tradespeople reach a financial break-even point by age 19, compared to 26 for bachelor's degree holders. The total real cost of entering a trade ranges from $13,151 (HVAC) to $15,417 (electricians), versus $220,081 for a bachelor's degree, including interest. Trade school debt at graduation ranges from $1,716 (plumbing) to $2,558 (HVAC), versus $30,364 for bachelor's degree holders.
The economic analysis also shows that skilled trades employment is projected to grow 7% from 2024 to 2034, more than double the 3% average across all occupations. Despite the lower costs, lifetime earnings for skilled tradespeople are close to those of bachelor's degree holders, with an average of $3,121,166. Union skilled-trades pensions average $788,749 at retirement, compared to $572,563 in average employer 401(k) contributions for bachelor's degree holders.
DECKED's survey of tradespeople across construction, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical industries found that 83% believe their jobs cannot be replaced by AI. Median pay has nearly doubled from respondents' entry into the workforce to today, with hourly wages up 89% to $34 per hour and salaries up 95% to $75,000. Nearly 3 in 4 (73%) tradespeople graduate debt-free, and of those who borrow, 83% pay off their trade school loans within three years.
The company's CEO, Bill Banta, emphasized the importance of recognizing the value of skilled trades.
DECKED will publish the survey results and economic comparison study in full later this month, along with a recap of Builder's Day on decked.com. The video series will be available on the brand's Instagram and YouTube channels, providing a platform to honor the contributions of skilled tradespeople.