On World Plumbing Day, March 11, we celebrate the trade professionals who protect homes and businesses around the world and who are constantly moving the industry forward. Behind every plumbing system is a dedicated, skilled individual who understands the responsibility that comes with the work. We recently spoke with industry influencer and tradesperson Paige Knowles (@alltradespaige) about her career journey, what it’s like to be a woman in the field, and her work shaping future generations of the industry.
Paige started her path in high school, stemming from her interest in working in the trades and a desire to do more than have her career stuck in an office setting. She found pride in problem-solving and making a tangible impact with her craftsmanship. “I really enjoyed just working with my hands, not sitting behind a desk all day. It was really empowering to be able to build things and I really enjoyed it.” That early sense of fulfillment she experienced from hands-on work laid the foundation for a career built on responsibility, confidence, and doing the job right.
What began as a love for work in the field evolved into a realization that the systems the public rarely thinks about are often the most critical to our communities. “World Plumbing Day is just like a day to recognize plumbing for how important it is, because we kind of take it for granted sometimes how water is always flowing everywhere we go,” she said.
While Paige’s work covers all trades, she has a special respect for the plumbing industry, acknowledging its significant but undervalued role in public health and safety and connecting communities. “Something that my teacher told me and that I continue to tell everyone is that plumbers protect the health of the nation. We literally keep the good water from the bad water. It’s so important.” Plumbing isn’t just a career path, it’s a crucial aspect of keeping communities safe. Behind the pipes are dedicated tradespeople whom Taco is proud to call our partners in the business.
As we also celebrate Women’s History Month, Paige reflects on what it means to be a woman in such a traditionally male-dominated field. “It’s not gender-specific, but we definitely have our specialties and I’m very proud to be a woman. I don’t need to fit into the male category,” she said, noting how women bring a unique perspective. She’s happy to witness an influx of women in the trades, noting that over the past decade, the number of women in construction has increased by nearly half. While this statistic is specific to construction, this marked growth illustrates a positive leap forward for the trades as a whole.
Paige channels her passion for the industry and hands-on work into inspiring the next generation of plumbers and other tradespeople. She has written books, spoken in classrooms and at industry events, and produced videos for her social media to educate young people about how rewarding a career in the trades can be. Even if the trades aren’t their long-term path, she encourages everyone to stay open-minded to trying them, as it still builds valuable skills that are applicable in everyday life. “Be curious about it. Try it out. And if it’s not for you, at least you have a skill and you know how to use a hammer or a wrench. So just try it out, be open-minded and you don’t know what will come from it.”
This industry is built on trust, accountability, and a commitment to keeping communities safe through reliable systems. Paige believes that the foundation of the profession is taking ownership of your work and getting the job done right the first time. “I think doing it right is doing it to the best of your ability and with confidence,” she said, also noting that asking for help and reaching out with questions ensures work gets done correctly. This perspective demonstrates the vital responsibility that trade professionals have to maintain their reputation and protect their customers. On World Plumbing Day, we recognize the professionals whose work protects families, buildings, and reputations every day.
Your Reputation Is Our Business.
—
Read more about World Plumbing Day and how plumbing connects more than just pipes at https://www.worldplumbing.org/worldplumbingday/
To learn more about Paige and the important work she’s doing, you can visit her website alltradespaige.com or follow her on social media: @alltradespaige on Instagram, X, and YouTube, and Paige Knowles on Facebook and LinkedIn.
