In-Demand Trades for 2026, State Crackdown on Grok, Friday Check-Ins

Wednesday, January 28th, 2026

Good morning! Welcome to The Tradesman, a 5-minute newsletter tailored just for America’s tradesmen—presented by Grab Your Gear.

Electricians are in for a good start to their Wednesday.. a new list ranked them the No. 1 trade in need for 2026, more on that below!

Friday check-ins are a great way to build closeness and prioritize your family before the weekend starts. Find more on the benefits of quick check-ins here, and find some tips on how to start later in the newsletter!

A new list ranking the top trades’ skills in need for 2026 named electrical system installation and troubleshooting the No. 1 in-demand skill.

Semiconductor plant construction is a large reason for the No. 1 ranking, and the No. 2 ranking of pipe fitting and fluid system management.

Click here to see the full list of trades in demand for this year.

Multiple states have taken action against Elon Musk’s xAi platform, Grok, for explicit content shown and generated by the technology.

At least 37 attorneys general for US states and territories have taken action against xAI after users generated explicit content using the technology without the consent of those pictured.

xAI has responded to the actions, claiming Grok can no longer “undress” users publicly on the platform.

You can read more on the story here.

Establishing a “Friday Check-in” can boost your family’s connectedness in just a few minutes.

Taking time to ask your spouse or significant other, “How are you feeling? What went well this week?” can set the tone for the weekend, and ensure your family feels like the priority.

Read more on the value of family check-ins here.

How do you like your coffee?