A few months ago we wrote about Tumml, the San Francisco-based business accelerator that supports early-stage companies. What was unique about Tumml is that it focuses on companies specifically developing innovative solutions to urban problems.

So we were thrilled to learn that our friend and former NYC government colleague, Patrick Cushing, was accepted to the program. He received funding, technical assistance, and other support to launch his new venture, WorkHands.

We were even more thrilled to learn that WorkHands is the kind of technology solution that speaks to so many of our interests. WorkHands is, in short, a LinkedIn for the skilled trades—plumbers, carpenters, mechanics, and the like. It was born out of Patrick’s desire to promote the under-appreciated trades fields and to help solve the vexing public policy problems around these jobs. On the supply side, not enough new workers are being trained to replace the waves of older workers retiring from these hands-on jobs. On the demand side, employers struggle to find appropriately trained trades workers, leading to unfilled jobs and delayed projects.

Patrick knew that existing private- and public-sector solutions weren’t helping to close that gap. In San Francisco, for instance, public workforce programs have encouraged more people to enter the trades to help address the supply shortage. But public economic development programs that encourage local hiring of trades workers are falling well short of their goals due to the lack of qualified local workers.

Tools like Craigslist and word-of-mouth referrals lack the critical mass of workers and employers gathered in one central place—important for a competitive labor market. LinkedIn is too focused on white-collar jobs and doesn’t allow trades workers to showcase their certifications, or the visual fruits of their labor in ways that make sense for their industries. Customers, after all, often want to see examples of finished projects to help them judge the fit of a trades worker for their task.

After receiving key technical and financial support from the Tumml program, WorkHands was able to relocate its team to San Francisco to work full-time on the project and establish key relationships with trade schools, employers, and economic development agencies. After a few months in beta, it launched to the public on September 10, 2013. It’s already attracted lots of attention from employers eager to post jobs, and trades workers are rapidly signing up and spreading news of the site via word of mouth—and the all-important hardhat sticker.

Patrick and his team are hard at work to build iPhone and Android apps for WorkHands and expand the reach of the site to more employers and workers. We’re can’t wait to see what they accomplish next!