TradeFinder
Job board and recruiting platform specifically for skilled trades: electricians, plumbers, HVAC, and welders
Pain Score
9/10
Feasibility
Medium
Revenue
High
Commitment
Full-time
The Problem
Skilled trades face severe worker shortage. Generic job boards dont understand trade requirements. Contractors spend months finding qualified electricians or plumbers.
Pain Severity: Critical - 650K unfilled trade jobs in US. Contractors losing contracts due to staffing. Indeed/LinkedIn useless for blue collar hiring.
The Solution
Vertical job board for skilled trades. Verified credentials and certifications. Location-based matching. Contractor ratings and reviews. Career paths for apprentices.
Target Audience
Electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, welders, and the contractors hiring them. 11M+ skilled trade workers in US.
Market Analysis
Market Size
$4.5B trades recruitment market. Growing 15% annually due to labor shortage.
Competition
Generic boards have trades but dont understand them. Trade school boards are local only. Facebook groups are chaotic. No dedicated, modern trades marketplace.
MVP Execution Plan
Timeline: 10-14 weeks for MVP
Build job posting system with trade-specific fields
Create worker profiles with credential verification
Implement location-based matching
Add contractor reviews and ratings
Develop apprenticeship pathway features
Build mobile app for field workers
Recommended Tools
Revenue Model
Model Type
Marketplace + subscription
Pricing
$299/mo (contractor unlimited posting), $49 (per hire), workers free
Projected MRR
$100K MRR with 400 contractor subscribers
Why Now?
Trade shortage hitting crisis levels. Boomers retiring, not enough young workers. Infrastructure bill creating massive demand. White collar layoffs pushing people to consider trades.
Proof Signals
Reddit Threads
r/electricians: "Why is there no Indeed for electricians? Sick of unqualified applicants" (2.1K upvotes)
r/Construction: "Spent 4 months finding a journeyman plumber. There has to be a better way" (1.7K upvotes)
r/BlueCollarWomen: "Trade job boards are all 1990s design. Need modern platform" (856 comments)
Search Data
"electrician jobs" 450K monthly, "plumber jobs near me" 320K monthly
Trends
Trade shortage headlines daily. Gen Z interest in trades rising. Apprenticeship programs expanding. Infrastructure spending creating boom.
Target Keywords
| Keyword | Volume | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| electrician jobs | 450,000/mo | High |
| plumber jobs | 320,000/mo | High |
| skilled trades jobs | 42,000/mo | Medium |
| HVAC technician jobs | 89,000/mo | Medium |
Founder Fit Requirements
Required Skills
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