HUNTERSVILLE, NC — The fourth annual National Tradesmen Day will be held on Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, and IRWIN ® Tools invites the nation to celebrate the contributions of trade professionals across the country. On this day, IRWIN Tools encourages Americans to show their gratitude to tradesmen in ways such as thanking a plumber or electrician who has done a superior job, supporting a local trade school or discussing the contributions of tradesmen with your children. “

IRWIN Tools established National Tradesmen Day in 2011 to both celebrate the exceptional work of America’s skilled trade professionals and thank them for their continued contributions,” said Rich Mathews, Senior Vice President , IRWIN Tools. “We all owe a debt of gratitude to professional tradesmen. Without these hard working men and women, our nation’s infrastructure and our way of life would come to a screeching halt. ”

In addition to honoring skilled workers, National Tradesmen Day raises awareness of the national shortage of tradesmen. Only one skilled trade worker enters the workforce for every three who retire and for the fifth consecutive year, skilled trade jobs are the hardest to fill, according to the ManpowerGroup. At the same time, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave American infrastructure a D+ rating in 2013, highlighting the growing need for tradesmen.

America’s economic growth and international competitiveness is largely dependent on filling the skilled tradesmen shortage. Infrastructure -­â€ based development boosts the economy, as does manufacturing, which relies heavily on skilled trade workers and contributed over $2.08 trillion to the economy in 2013, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. By celebrating tradesmen and elevating their role in society, IRWIN Tools hopes to encourage young Americans to explore and enter trade professions.

“National Tradesmen Day is an opportunity for each of us to pause and take the time to thank a trade professional,” said Mathews. “Too often, we forget how underappreciated these professionals are in our society. IRWIN Tools invites the nation to say thanks to the men and women who build our country and keep it running strong.”

National Tradesmen Day gives thanks to the professional tradesmen that keep the world running when the things break down and help the nation build a better future. Their contributions are invaluable. For more information and to learn how you can thank a trade professional , visit www.nationaltradesmenday.com or www.facebook.com/nationaltradesmenday.

About IRWIN Tools

IRWIN Tools manufactures and distributes a broad line of hand tools and power tool accessories under the IRWIN® brand including VISE -­â€ GRIP® pliers and wrenches, MARATHON® saw blades, QUICK -­â€ GRIP® clamping tools, SPEEDBOR® wood drilling bits, STRAIT -­â€ LINE® mar king tools, UNIBIT® step drill bits, MARPLES® fine woodworking tools, and HANSON® taps and dies. IRWIN Tools is a part of Newell Rubbermaid’s global portfolio of leading brands. For more information, call 1 -­â€ 800 -­â€ GO -­â€ IRWIN or visit www.irwin.com . IRWIN Tools invites the nation to celebrate National Tradesmen Day , on Sept. 19, 2014

Source: IRWIN Tools