Since its inception in the early 2000s, LinkedIn has primarily served white-collar professionals and industries, while blue-collar workers have traditionally relied on alternative platforms such as job boards to find employment and connect with employers. Today, however, this landscape is evolving. Skilled trade professionals in welding, CNC machining, HVAC, and other specialized trades are increasingly able to leverage LinkedIn to connect directly with company owners and employers within their industries, as more of these businesses adopt the platform.

As technical recruiters at Tops Staffing, we greatly benefit from LinkedIn’s expanding presence in the skilled trades. The platform allows us to build meaningful connections with both business owners and qualified candidates, helping companies grow and succeed while facilitating the placement of talented individuals in blue-collar roles.

Additionally, LinkedIn has seen the rise of industry-specific influencers within the skilled trades. One notable example is Tony Mormino, the 2025 HVAC Influencer of the Year, who uses LinkedIn to share up-to-date HVAC standards alongside engaging short-form content. His videos, which include how-tos and industry do’s and don’ts, serve as a major draw for engagement and resonate strongly with the average blue-collar worker.

Even though LinkedIn is still heavily associated with white-collar work, it has shown clear value for those of us working in or supporting the blue-collar industry and will continue to do so with evolving technology, content, and new and improved features.