The Complete Guide to Hiring Skilled Tradespeople in 2025
How to Find, Verify, and Hire Electricians, Plumbers, HVAC Techs, and More
Vetano Team
Hiring Innovation
The Skilled Trades Hiring Crisis
The numbers tell the story:
- 60% of contractors report difficulty finding qualified tradespeople
- 500,000+ open skilled trade positions in the US
- Average age of electricians: 43 years old
- 30% of skilled workers will retire by 2030
If you're running a contracting business, HVAC company, or electrical shop, you already know this. Every day a position stays open costs you jobs, revenue, and reputation.
But here's what most contractors miss: the hiring process itself is part of the problem.
Why Traditional Trade Hiring Fails
Most trade hiring follows a familiar pattern:
- Post job on Indeed or Craigslist
- Collect résumés (or word-of-mouth referrals)
- Schedule phone screens
- Hope the candidate shows up
- Hire and pray
This approach has three fundamental flaws:
1. Résumés Don't Show Ability
A résumé might list "10 years electrical experience" and "journeyman license." But it can't show:
- How they approach a panel layout
- Whether they prioritize safety
- How they communicate with customers
- Their diagnostic thinking process
You don't know what you're getting until they're on the job site. By then, you've already invested in hiring, onboarding, and potentially fixing their mistakes.
2. Credential Fraud Is Rampant
License numbers can be borrowed, certificates can be forged, and experience can be exaggerated. In an industry where safety is everything, trusting unverified claims is a liability—literally.
3. Time Kills Good Candidates
The best tradespeople don't stay available long. While you're scheduling phone screens and waiting for callbacks, they've already accepted another offer.
Related: Why Skill Videos Beat Phone Screens
What "Qualified" Actually Means in the Trades
Before you can hire well, you need to define what you're looking for. In skilled trades, qualifications fall into three categories:
Technical Competence
Can they do the work safely and correctly?
- Proper tool usage and maintenance
- Code compliance knowledge
- Diagnostic and troubleshooting ability
- Quality of finished work
Safety Awareness
Do they prioritize safety for themselves, coworkers, and customers?
- PPE habits
- Lockout/tagout procedures
- Hazard identification
- Clean work site practices
Professional Skills
Can they represent your company well?
- Customer communication
- Punctuality and reliability
- Problem-solving attitude
- Team collaboration
The challenge: traditional hiring methods only verify the first category (and barely that). Safety awareness and professional skills remain invisible until day one.
The Proof-Based Hiring Approach
Proof-based hiring flips the traditional model:
Instead of reading about what candidates claim → you watch what they can do.
Skill Video Demonstrations
Ask candidates to record short videos demonstrating job-relevant skills:
- An electrician walking through a panel installation
- A plumber explaining their approach to a leak diagnosis
- An HVAC tech demonstrating equipment testing procedures
In 30-60 seconds, you see:
- Technical knowledge
- Safety habits
- Communication style
- Professionalism
One video replaces hours of phone screens and guesswork.
Examples: 5 Skill Video Examples That Got Candidates Hired
Verified Identity and Credentials
Before you watch a single video, know who you're dealing with:
- Government ID verification
- License and certification verification
- Background check options
This eliminates credential fraud and protects your liability.
Mobile-First Applications
The best tradespeople are working, not browsing job boards on desktop computers. A mobile-native application process means:
- Apply in under 2 minutes
- Record skill videos from a phone
- No résumé formatting required
You meet candidates where they are.
How to Implement Proof-Based Trade Hiring
Step 1: Define Must-Have Skills
List the 3-5 skills that directly predict success in the role:
Example for Residential Electrician:
- Safe panel work and wire termination
- Code-compliant installation practices
- Diagnostic troubleshooting
- Customer communication
- Clean work habits
Step 2: Create Skill Demonstration Prompts
Design prompts that let candidates show each skill:
- "Walk me through how you'd approach wiring a new 200-amp panel. Show your safety steps."
- "Explain how you'd diagnose a circuit that keeps tripping the breaker."
- "How would you explain a repair estimate to a homeowner who doesn't know electrical terms?"
Step 3: Build a Consistent Review Process
Create a simple rubric for evaluating skill videos:
| Criteria | 1 (Concern) | 3 (Competent) | 5 (Excellent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical accuracy | Major errors | Acceptable | Flawless |
| Safety awareness | Absent | Present | Proactive |
| Communication | Unclear | Clear | Engaging |
| Professionalism | Concerning | Appropriate | Impressive |
Step 4: Verify Before You Interview
Require ID verification and credential checks before scheduling in-person meetings. This protects your time and your company.
Step 5: Move Fast
When you find a qualified candidate, act quickly. The best tradespeople don't wait around. A streamlined process—from application to offer—should take days, not weeks.
Trade-Specific Hiring Tips
Electricians
What to look for in skill videos:
- Panel layout planning
- Wire termination technique
- Code citation knowledge
- Safety protocol explanation
Red flags:
- Dismissing safety concerns
- Unfamiliarity with current NEC requirements
- Poor wire management habits
Plumbers
What to look for in skill videos:
- Diagnostic approach to leaks
- Pipe fitting technique
- Knowledge of local code variations
- Customer explanation of repair options
Red flags:
- Rushing diagnostics
- Improvised fixes without code consideration
- Poor communication about repair scope
HVAC Technicians
What to look for in skill videos:
- System diagnostic methodology
- Refrigerant handling knowledge
- Electrical component testing
- Customer communication about efficiency options
Red flags:
- Skipping diagnostic steps
- EPA certification gaps
- Poor documentation habits
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Bad hires in the trades carry unique consequences:
- Safety incidents: Injuries, liability, workers' comp claims
- Callbacks: Rework, warranty claims, customer complaints
- Reputation damage: One bad job can cost you referrals for years
- Training waste: Onboarding a tradesperson costs $5,000-15,000
A single bad hire can cost $30,000+ when you factor in all direct and indirect costs.
Deep dive: The Real Cost of a Bad Hire
Why Vetano Works for Trade Hiring
Traditional job boards and ATS systems weren't built for the trades. They're designed for office jobs with standardized credentials and predictable career paths.
Vetano was built specifically for hiring where skill is the job:
- Skill videos show ability, not just claims
- ID and license verification eliminates fraud
- Mobile-native experience meets workers where they are
- Speed-first design helps you hire before competitors
When you can see an electrician's panel work, hear a plumber explain their diagnostic approach, and verify their credentials—all before the first interview—hiring transforms from guesswork to informed decision-making.
Getting Started
The skilled trades labor shortage isn't going away. But the contractors who adapt their hiring methods will have a significant advantage.
Proof-based hiring takes the guesswork out of trade recruitment. You see ability, verify credentials, and move fast—all while reducing the risk of costly bad hires.
Ready to hire tradespeople with proof? See how Vetano works for contractors →
