TDNet Discover

The skilled trades face a persistent leadership gap as many professionals advance into supervisory roles based primarily on technical expertise rather than formal leadership preparation. The purpose of this proposed qualitative study is to identify and validate the leadership competencies required for effective leadership in the skilled trades and to inform the development of a structured leadership training model tailored to trade environments. Guided by an integrated servant and transformational leadership framework, the study will examine how leadership is developed, enacted, and experienced within apprenticeship-based and job-site contexts. The central research question seeks to determine which leadership competencies trades professionals perceive as most critical for effective leadership and how those competencies can be developed through targeted training approaches. The study will be conducted across multiple skilled trade settings, including construction, electrical, plumbing, and related sectors, using a purposive sample of apprentices, journeymen, forepersons, supervisors, and training personnel. Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews, document analysis of training and safety materials, and review of relevant workforce indicators. Data analysis will follow an iterative qualitative process utilizing coding and thematic analysis to enhance trustworthiness. The findings are expected to contribute to leadership theory by contextualizing servant and transformational leadership within skilled trade environments and to professional practice by informing the design of a blended leadership development program that supports workforce engagement, safety culture, and leadership sustainability in the skilled trades.