Portland, Oregon Feb 25, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - In an era defined by labor shortages, rising education costs, and renewed interest in hands-on careers, K.A. Pierce delivers a timely and compelling call to action with The Hands That Built This: Restoring Respect and Rebuilding the Future of the Trades. Part memoir, part manifesto, the book makes a clear and urgent case for skilled trades as first-choice careers, not fallback options.
Drawing on 34 years in construction, including 14 years as a carpenter and ironworker and nearly two decades as a construction safety professional, Pierce blends lived experience with practical solutions. Through vivid jobsite storytelling, real-world case studies, and actionable policy recommendations, the book demonstrates how apprenticeships, earn-while-you-learn programs, mentorship for women, and safety-first training can strengthen the workforce, reduce costly failures, and create stable, debt-free career paths.
Concise, direct, and voice driven, The Hands That Built These serves as a roadmap for parents, educators, contractors, community leaders, and policymakers seeking to rebuild respect for the trades and the communities they sustain.
About the Author
K.A. Pierce was born and raised in rural Minnesota, where a strong work ethic and hands-on problem-solving were part of everyday life. The daughter of a carpenter who could build or fix anything, Pierce’s career has taken her across the United States from Texas and Indiana to Florida and to extraordinary locations including Alaska, Puerto Rico, and even Antarctica’s South Pole Station.
Over the course of more than three decades in construction, Pierce transitioned from the field into safety leadership in 2008, coaching countless workers and leading zero-incident job sites while fostering strong, accountable crews. Beyond nonfiction, Pierce has published works across multiple genres under various pen names, including self-help, historical fiction, fantasy, and practical guides.
Whether building structures or stories, Pierce is driven by one core belief: restoring respect for skilled hands and the essential work they do.
Media & Appearances
- Interview with Logan Crawford, The Spotlight Network
Author Website
For more information, visit www.pierceauthor.com
Message to Readers
“Construction is not a fallback plan; it is a viable first-choice career. Apprenticeship offers earn-while-you-learn training, mentorship, and advancement without crushing debt. It’s time we talk honestly with our communities, schools, and families about all the paths to success and restore respect for the trades.
Book Availability
The Hands That Built This: Restoring Respect and Rebuilding the Future of the Trades is available at:
- Author Website: https://pierceauthor.com
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2SHKQ8G
Media Contact
Seven Chapter Literary jack.smith@sevenchapterliterary.com +19712989500 8327 SE Schiller St https://sevenchapterliterary.com/
