Study shows the North American market is also affected by skilled labour shortage

A study conducted by the North America's National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has found that the skilled labour shortage continues to present a major challenge for the North American industry. The impact on businesses remains significant, limiting their capacity to take on new work and restricting growth. It is also increasing labour costs. Half of employers say they must pay above-market wages to attract and retain skilled workers, with an average premium of 10%.

While the percentage of businesses reporting significant or moderate shortages fell from 58% in the 2024 NKBA Skilled Labor Workforce Study to 40% in 2026, the number of companies experiencing at least some shortage has reached an all-time high (84%). According the the NKBA, this indicates that, rather than being resolved, the issue is more pervasive across the industry.

Nearly half of North American kitchen and bathroom trade professionals surveyed reported that talent shortages have already restricted their businesses’ ability to take on new projects – a trend they expect will continue over the next 12 months. Increased workloads and project delays remain the leading impacts. Installers (39%) and carpenters (33%) are the workers most in demand.

A limited pool of applicants and insufficient technical preparation are cited as the leading barriers to recruitment. The pipeline problem starts before hiring even begins, and the NKBA noted that the key to fixing it should start in school – not at job fairs. Ninety percent of US employers believe exposure to the trades should begin in middle or high school, and over two-thirds say hands-on learning is essential for generating genuine interest in a trades career. 

“More K&B businesses are experiencing the severity of this problem in very real ways,” said Bill Darcy, Global President & CEO, NKBA I KBIS. “The good news is there is an opportunity to develop ready-made programmess and training materials to increase engagement with students and help expand the pipeline for these critical careers.”