NFPA Survey: 3 Key Findings for Skilled Trade Professionals

Increasing AI adoption and a need for career development are among the top trends in the third annual industry survey by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Conducted at the NFPA 2025 Conference & Expo, the survey illustrates how people across the skilled trades are viewing industry changes and the future of their fields. The survey comes at a time when labor shortages are persisting and skilled professionals are dealing with growing demands fueled by infrastructure investment and advances in technology.

“The skilled trades are at a turning point: rising safety hazards, rapid technology adoption, and an unprecedented demand for training are reshaping how work gets done,” said Jim Pauley, President and CEO at NFPA. “Leaders must understand how these forces are affecting skilled professionals. Meeting workers where they are and responding to their needs with targeted technology, robust training, and strong professional support will be critical to sustaining the industry’s growth and resilience.”

Here are the three top takeaways from the survey findings.

1. Artificial Intelligence and Digital Tools are Gaining Ground

An overwhelming majority—95%—of the 325 respondents to the survey said they believe AI has a purpose in at least some day-to-day job functions in the skilled trades, according to a summary of the findings. The survey also found that 31% of respondents see AI as a tool to help skilled trade workers streamline tasks amid ongoing labor shortages, while 39% are hopeful that AI will spur industry growth and make the trades more appealing to younger, more tech-savvy workers.

Not all participants responded affirmatively to the use of AI, however: 25% remained skeptical of AI’s purpose in the skilled trades, though the survey noted that many have seen some benefits from adopting advanced technologies. More than half of respondents—64%—have noticed an improvement in workflows and collaboration among their teams since implementing digital tools, and 57% use NFPA LiNK (a digital codes and standards reference tool) either individually or within their organization, a 6% increase from the 2024 findings.

2. Training is Top of Mind, But Barriers Remain

Of the skilled workers who participated in the survey, 78% participate in at least one NFPA training and development program per year, with 43% participating once a quarter and 17% participating twice a year. But there are still significant barriers to obtaining needed training, with participants noting these common issues:

• Lack of time for participation (35%)
• High costs (30%)
• Lack of access to a qualified instructor (24%)
• Challenges in determining the right training opportunities (23%)

The prevalence of these challenges has decreased by an average of 26% year over year, NFPA said; this could indicate that more organizations are prioritizing upskilling employees.

NFPA also noted that the story is different when it comes to industry certifications; 60% of respondents held a certification from a professional organization, down from 74% in the 2024 survey, but 62% said that certifications or professional credentials are required in their organization for hiring, promotion, or staff development.

“This potential disconnect suggests a need for stronger alignment between workforce goals and organizational expectations, particularly as certifications grow in importance for career advancement,” NFPA said in their announcement of the survey results. “As more organizations look at professional certifications as an indicator of employee performance, it's critical for workers to consider pursuing certifications to ensure career growth and development.”

3. Professional Memberships Are Valuable

Just over half—52%—of surveyed workers leverage NFPA Membership offerings and cited several benefits of membership programs from NFPA or other organizations, including networking and collaboration with other industry professionals (66%), continued education opportunities (61%), access to technical support for questions on codes and standards (44%), and career growth opportunities (34%).

Methodology

NFPA collected responses from 325 U.S. and international-based workers, 18 years and older, in the electrical, manufacturing, construction, engineering, architecture/design, facility maintenance, compliance, fire service, and insurance/risk management fields to determine these findings. The survey was conducted in person between June 16-18, 2025, at the 2025 NFPA Conference & Expo.