The Lost Art Of the Skilled Trades

From sweeping floors to leading crews on the Freedom Tower, Josh Nieves shares his powerful journey through the IBEW apprenticeship program and into the heart of the skilled trades. This episode dives into union vs non-union paths, electrician salary progression, and how mentorship can change everything

Andrew Brown sits down with Josh Nieves, IBEW electrician and Workforce Development Manager at Miller Electric, to unpack the real story behind building a fulfilling skilled trades career. From navigating union apprenticeship programs to the difference between an installer vs. electrician, Josh offers insight for both aspiring tradespeople and industry veterans. Whether you’re trying to get into the IBEW, debating union vs non-union pathways, or exploring your long-term earning potential as an electrician, this conversation delivers real, no-fluff advice from someone who’s walked the path—and is now paying it forward.

(00:01:00) - The national shortage of 80,000 electricians annually

(00:05:00) - How to get into the IBEW apprenticeship program

(00:10:30) - Electrician salary progression and earning six figures

(00:20:00) - Josh’s 9/11 story and how it shaped his trades career

(00:31:00) - The leap from journeyman to master electrician

(00:47:00) - Why mentorship, culture, and advocacy are vital in the trades industry.

There are multiple ways to enter the trades industry, including through open shop work and IBEW union programs don’t give up if you’re denied the first time.

Electrician salary progression is real starting at ~$20/hour, but growing rapidly into six figures with overtime, experience, and credentials.

The skilled trades industry needs better mentorship, not just training, to help new tradespeople succeed long-term.

Culture and leadership matter Josh shares how great companies create supportive environments that retain top talent.

About the Guest:

Josh Nieves is a master electrician, entrepreneur, and the Workforce Development Manager at Miller Electric. With nearly two decades in the trades industry, Josh has worked on landmark projects including the Freedom Tower, Brooklyn Bridge, and Empire State Building. A proud member of IBEW Local 3, Josh is now on a mission to grow the next generation of electricians through education, mentorship, and public trades advocacy.

Keywords:

IBEW apprenticeship program, how to become an electrician, electrician union vs non-union, skilled trades career path, electrician salary progression, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Andrew Brown, Josh Nieves, Toolfetch, Carpentry, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Construction, Craftsmanship, Problem-solving, Creativity, Tradespeople, Advocacy, Trades Careers, Industry Experts, Contractors, Education, Skilled Trades Advisory Council

Website: https://www.mecojax.com/

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshnieves/

If you’re getting value from these episodes and want to help keep the mics on, consider tipping the show here → https://andrewbrowntrades.kit.com/products/toolbox

Every dollar helps us keep bringing unfiltered insights from the trades, straight to your ears.

Skilled trades summer camps are transforming lives. Angie Simon joins Andrew Brown to talk trades careers, apprenticeships, and women in construction programs.

Host Andrew Brown speaks with Angie Simon, founder of the Heavy Metal Summer Experience, about how skilled trades summer camps are creating real careers in the trades for youth. From women in construction programs to sheet metal apprenticeship opportunities, this episode explores how hands-on camps are reshaping the future of the trades industry by giving teens, especially those from underserved communities, an exciting trade school alternative to college.

You’ll hear success stories, insider insights, and the practical tools these camps offer: free boots, tools, real trade skills (welding, plumbing, electrical), and mentorship from industry professionals.

Whether you're a parent, a contractor, or someone passionate about trades careers, this episode gives you a clear look at what’s working—and how you can be part of the change.

● (02:10) – How 65% of sheet metal contractors started in the trades

● (08:35) – What skilled trades summer camps look like day-to-day

● (14:20) – The growing impact of women in construction programs

● (20:05) – Trade school alternatives to college and why they matter

● (27:50) – Why sheet metal apprenticeship opportunities are booming

● (34:30) – How camps are changing the future of the skilled trades industry

● Skilled trades summer camps are opening doors to high-paying, hands-on careers for teens.

● More women in construction programs are succeeding—especially in welding and fabrication.

● These camps are effective trade school alternatives to college for at-risk youth.

● Sheet metal apprenticeship opportunities are in demand and can lead to business ownership.

Angie Simon is a pioneering figure in the trades industry and co-founder of the Heavy Metal Summer Experience. With over 35 years in construction, including 15 years as president of a major mechanical contracting firm, she launched this nonprofit to grow the next generation of tradespeople. Her summer camps introduce youth to carpentry, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and sheet metal trades, while also leading initiatives for women in construction programs and creating trade school alternatives to college for underserved communities.

Skilled Trades Summer Camps, Careers in the Trades for Youth, Women in Construction Programs, Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Opportunities, Trade School Alternatives to College, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Trades Careers, Contractors, Industry Experts, Education, Advocacy, Tradespeople, Problem-solving, Creativity, Andrew Brown, Angie Simon, Heavy Metal Summer Experience, Toolfetch, Skilled Trades Advisory Council, Carpentry, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Construction, Craftsmanship

Website: https://www.hmse.org/

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-simon-pe-666744/

If you’re getting value from these episodes and want to help keep the mics on, consider tipping the show here → https://andrewbrowntrades.kit.com/products/toolbox

Every dollar helps us keep bringing unfiltered insights from the trades, straight to your ears.

Roger Wakefield—plumbing legend and trades influencer—shares how to become a plumber, grow your brand, and start a successful plumbing business.

Host Andrew Brown sits down one of the most recognized names in the trades industry, Roger Wakefield, to break down how to become a plumber, succeed as an apprentice, and build a powerful personal brand as a trades professional. With millions of views on YouTube and decades of hands-on experience, Roger shares what it really takes to thrive in the skilled trades: from plumbing apprenticeship tips to starting a plumbing business that stands out.

Whether you're just entering the trades or looking to scale your own company, this conversation delivers real-world, no-fluff skilled trades career advice from a leader who's done it all and taught thousands to do the same.

● (00:02:10) – How to Become a Plumber: Roger’s first job with zero plumbing experience

● (00:08:45) – Personal Branding for Tradespeople: Why it’s no longer optional

● (00:19:20) – Plumbing Apprenticeship Tips: Interview tactics that get you hired

● (00:33:10) – Starting a Plumbing Business: Data-driven marketing and strategy

● (00:47:35) – Career Growth in the Trades: From apprentice to owner

● (01:01:00) – Human Skills > Hard Skills: Why soft skills drive trades careers

● You can start your plumbing career with no experience—how to become a plumber is more about mindset than credentials.

● Personal branding for tradespeople builds trust, visibility, and long-term opportunity in the skilled trades industry.

● Use these plumbing apprenticeship tips to stand out in interviews and get hired fast.

● If you're starting a plumbing business, you need to understand pricing, strategy, and your KPIs—or risk failing early.

Roger Wakefield is a licensed plumber, YouTube creator, keynote speaker, and fierce advocate for trades careers. With over 45 years in the trades industry, he’s helped thousands understand how to become a plumber, launch a plumbing business, and leverage personal branding for tradespeople to grow their reputation and revenue. His content has made a global impact, proving that being a plumber today means much more than just turning wrenches.

How to Become a Plumber, Plumbing Apprenticeship Tips, Skilled Trades Career Advice, Personal Branding for Tradespeople, Starting a Plumbing Business, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Roger Wakefield, Andrew Brown, Toolfetch, HVAC, Carpentry, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Construction, Tradespeople, Craftsmanship, Problem-solving, Creativity, Advocacy, Trades Careers, Contractors, Education, Skilled Trades Advisory Council

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogerwakefield/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGIMKh92vaL0_Yc0u4GYhHA

Website: https://rogerwakefield.com/

If you’re getting value from these episodes and want to help keep the mics on, consider tipping the show here → https://andrewbrowntrades.kit.com/products/toolbox

Every dollar helps us keep bringing unfiltered insights from the trades, straight to your ears.

Roof replacement signs, scaling a roofing business, and how to recruit skilled labor-- Trenton Wisecup joins Andrew Brown to unpack all this and more.

Host Andrew Brown sits down with Trenton Wisecup, founder of Arrow Roofing and Empower Me Consulting, to dive into the reality of scaling a roofing business in today’s skilled trades industry. They explore how to identify roof replacement signs before it's too late, implement effective AI tools for contractors, and make the transition from trades to business owner.

Trenton also shares his no-BS perspective on how to recruit skilled labor, what separates winning businesses from outdated ones, and the mindset needed to thrive as a modern contractor or entrepreneur. If you're in roofing, HVAC, carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, or construction, this is a must-listen.

(00:02:10) – Roof Replacement Signs: Why homeowners wait too long and how to spot early warning signs

(00:14:25) – Scaling a Roofing Business: From door-knocking to building an eight-figure culture

(00:24:05) – Transition from Trades to Business Owner: What every skilled worker should know

(00:34:50) – AI Tools for Contractors: Real-world examples that boost leads, sales, and efficiency

(00:48:15) – How to Recruit Skilled Labor: Why leadership—not labor shortages—is the real problem

(00:58:30) – Leading Without Emotion: Why neutrality is your secret weapon in business

● Roof replacement signs often go unnoticed—by the time it leaks, it’s already too late.

● Scaling a roofing business requires systemized leadership, not just hard work.

● AI tools for contractors can double your output and halve your overhead.

● How to recruit skilled labor starts with building a culture people want to stay in.

Trenton Wisecup is the founder of Arrow Roofing and Empower Me Consulting. After starting with just six installs in year one, he’s now helping contractors and business owners across the U.S. master the systems behind scaling a roofing business, using AI tools for contractors, and making the transition from trades to business owner. He’s passionate about mentorship, modern leadership, and building businesses that actually work—for owners and their crews alike.

Roof Replacement Signs, Scaling a Roofing Business, AI Tools for Contractors, Transition from Trades to Business Owner, How to Recruit Skilled Labor, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Andrew Brown, Trenton Wisecup, Arrow Roofing, Toolfetch, Contractors, Electricians, HVAC, Plumbers, Carpentry, Construction, Millwrights, Trades Careers, Tradespeople, Industry Experts, Craftsmanship, Problem-Solving, Creativity, Skilled Trades Advisory Council, Advocacy, Education

Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trenton-wisecup-9a86b6235/

Website: https://arrowroofingservicesllc.com/

If you’re getting value from these episodes and want to help keep the mics on, consider tipping the show here → https://andrewbrowntrades.kit.com/products/toolbox

Every dollar helps us keep bringing unfiltered insights from the trades, straight to your ears.

Skilled trades career paths offer high paying jobs without a degree. Ryan Eisenhauer joins Andrew Brown to break down trade school vs college, apprenticeships, and mentorship.

Host Andrew Brown sits down with Ryan Eisenhauer, aka Ike from Construction Mentor, to talk about skilled trades career paths, the reality of apprenticeship opportunities in construction, and how to succeed with or without a college degree. They explore how tradespeople build wealth, why soft skills in the trades matter just as much as craftsmanship, and the truth behind high paying trade jobs without a degree.

From growing up in a union pipefitter household to managing national projects as a director at a top 10 general contractor, Ryan shares what it's really like to climb the ladder in the construction industry. He breaks down why mentorship in the trades is broken, how to earn it anyway, and why apprenticeship opportunities in construction are more about effort and mindset than resumes.

Whether you’re aiming for high paying trade jobs without a degree or just exploring alternatives to college, this episode delivers unfiltered guidance from someone who's walked every rung of the skilled trades ladder.

● (00:03) – The scars of the industry: What newcomers need to unlearn

● (07:55) – Plumbers save more lives than doctors? Yes, and here's why

● (17:12) – Trade School vs College: The cost, return, and career growth

● (28:44) – Soft Skills in the Trades: What makes or breaks an apprentice

● (41:33) – Breaking in: Apprenticeship Opportunities in Construction

● (51:00) – High Paying Trade Jobs Without a Degree: Real-world earning power

● Skilled trades career paths offer financial freedom, ownership opportunities, and real respect, if you’re willing to show up and stay hungry.

● Trade school vs college is a decision with long-term consequences. For many, trades offer a better ROI and less debt.

● Soft skills in the trades like punctuality, presentation, and curiosity are essential for earning mentorship and promotions.

● Apprenticeship opportunities in construction are competitive. Success depends on persistence, humility, and standing out with your effort.

Ryan Eisenhauer, also known as Ike from Construction Mentor, is a seasoned construction executive and trades advocate. After starting his career digging holes and working on job sites, he rose to become a director at a top 10 general contractor. Through Construction Mentor, he offers real talk, real tactics, and real mentorship to people breaking into the skilled trades industry. Whether you’re eyeing a career in carpentry, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or construction management, Ryan’s mission is to change the narrative and build up the next generation of tradespeople.

Skilled Trades Career Paths, Trade School vs College, Apprenticeship Opportunities in Construction, Soft Skills in the Trades, High Paying Trade Jobs Without a Degree

Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Andrew Brown, Ryan Eisenhauer, Construction Mentor, Toolfetch, Carpentry, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Construction, Craftsmanship, Problem-solving, Creativity, Tradespeople, Advocacy, Trades Careers, Industry Experts, Contractors, Education, Skilled Trades Advisory Council

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-eisenhauer-032625289/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_construction_mentor/?hl=en

Website: https://constructionmentor.org/

If you’re getting value from these episodes and want to help keep the mics on, consider tipping the show here → https://andrewbrowntrades.kit.com/products/toolbox

Every dollar helps us keep bringing unfiltered insights from the trades, straight to your ears.

Want more leads in the trades? Marcus Sheridan joins host Andrew Brown to talk self-service tools, pricing estimators, and trusted brand building strategies.

Host Andrew Brown sits down with marketing expert, speaker, and former pool contractor Marcus Sheridan to break down what it really takes to build a trusted brand in the skilled trades today.

They cover everything from using AI in the trades industry to designing self-service sales tools that boost conversions. If you’re in carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, or any other blue collar business, this episode is a roadmap to standing out—and staying relevant—in a rapidly changing world.

Whether you're a new contractor or a seasoned tradesperson looking to grow your brand, you’ll walk away with clear, tactical advice you can use right now.

IN THIS EPISODE:

● (02:10) – “Just a Pool Guy”: Why the trades get overlooked—and how Marcus flipped the script.

● (11:45) – AI in the Trades: Why blue collar work isn’t going anywhere—and how AI helps, not hurts.

● (23:30) – Pricing Estimator Tools: Why every contractor website needs one (and how it converts).

● (35:55) – The 4 Pillars of Brand Trust: Say, show, sell, and be human.

● (43:40) – Self-Service Sales Tools: How to let customers educate themselves (and love you for it).

● (51:20) – Building a Personal Brand: Why people follow you before they follow your business.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

● A trusted brand in the trades starts with saying what others won’t—and showing how you do it.

● Self-service sales tools increase lead volume and improve customer experience.

● AI in the trades industry isn’t replacing you—it’s giving you time back.

● A simple pricing estimator for contractors can triple your conversions with the same traffic.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Marcus Sheridan is the author of They Ask, You Answer and The Visual Sale, and a partner at Impact, a marketing and sales consultancy. He’s also the co-founder of River Pools, once a small local pool company that became the most trafficked swimming pool website in the world. A longtime advocate for trusted brand building, Marcus now helps contractors and tradespeople scale their companies using video, content marketing, and disruptive strategies rooted in transparency.

KEYWORDS:

Trusted Brand Building, Self-Service Sales Tools, Pricing Estimator for Contractors, AI in Trades Industry, Blue Collar Business Marketing

Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Marcus Sheridan, Andrew Brown, Impact, Toolfetch, Carpentry, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Construction, Tradespeople, Craftsmanship, Problem-solving, Creativity, Contractors, Trades Careers, Industry Experts, Skilled Trades Advisory Council, Advocacy

RESOURCES:

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcussheridan/

Website: https://marcussheridan.com/

If you’re getting value from these episodes and want to help keep the mics on, consider tipping the show here → https://andrewbrowntrades.kit.com/products/toolbox

Every dollar helps us keep bringing unfiltered insights from the trades, straight to your ears.

Want to join the skilled trades as a woman? Judaline Cassidy shares how to start, find support, and thrive in a trades career, from plumbing to advocacy.

Host Andrew Brown sits down with master plumber and trades advocate Judaline Cassidy, founder of Tools and Tiaras, to talk about how women can break into the skilled trades. They dive into the reality of being a female plumber, how trades careers for girls are growing, the power of social media, and how to navigate the path through skilled trades apprenticeships.

If you're looking to join a fulfilling career in construction, carpentry, HVAC, or plumbing, this episode offers real stories and tactical advice from someone who’s lived it.

● (00:03:15) – How Judaline broke into plumbing and proved herself on the jobsite

● (00:08:47) – Why she picked plumbing over electrical and never looked back

● (00:17:33) – Social media’s role in promoting women in skilled trades

● (00:24:50) – How the Tools and Tiaras program empowers girls to explore trades careers

● (00:35:20) – The challenges of being a female plumber on commercial job sites

● (00:49:10) – What girls need to know before starting a skilled trades apprenticeship

● Seeing a female plumber in action can shift a young girl’s entire career path.

● The Tools and Tiaras program introduces trades careers to girls through hands-on learning.

● Union-based skilled trades apprenticeships offer equal pay, benefits, and career longevity.

● Women in skilled trades must prove themselves repeatedly, but change is happening.

Judaline Cassidy is a union plumber, public speaker, and founder of Tools and Tiaras, a nonprofit that introduces young girls to the trades industry through monthly workshops and summer camps. A longtime advocate for women in skilled trades, Judaline’s mission is to empower girls with tools and the confidence to use them. Her story spans countries, decades, and ceilings shattered, all with a wrench in hand.

Women in Skilled Trades, Female Plumbers, Trades Career for Girls, Tools and Tiaras Program, Skilled Trades Apprenticeship

Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Andrew Brown, Judaline Cassidy, Toolfetch, Carpentry, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Construction, Craftsmanship, Problem-solving, Creativity, Tradespeople, Advocacy, Trades Careers, Industry Experts, Contractors, Education, Skilled Trades Advisory Council

Website: https://www.judaline.com/

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judaline-cassidy-b1570021/

If you’re getting value from these episodes and want to help keep the mics on, consider tipping the show here → https://andrewbrowntrades.kit.com/products/toolbox

Every dollar helps us keep bringing unfiltered insights from the trades, straight to your ears.

Skilled trades careers are booming, from trade school welding programs to women in skilled trades. William Myers of Ancora Education shares why now's the time.

Host Andrew Brown sits down with welding educator and skilled trades advocate Bill Myers of Ancora Education to explore how to launch a welding career in today’s trades industry.

They dive into the structure of trade school welding programs, how the NCCER Career Builder helps students choose a path, and what it really takes to land high-paying welding career opportunities—whether you’re just starting out or returning to the trades later in life.

Whether you're considering trade school, apprenticeship, or just want honest insight into skilled trades careers, this episode delivers straight talk from an industry veteran who’s been there.

(00:02) – The Rise of Skilled Trades Careers in 2025

(06:41) – How Trade School Welding Programs Are Structured

(15:24) – Breaking Down the NCCER Career Builder Tool

(24:10) – The Role of Women in Skilled Trades Today

(36:52) – Welding Career Opportunities After Graduation

(48:33) – Why Soft Skills Matter as Much as Craftsmanship

• Skilled trades careers are not just viable—they're thriving. Students can now enter trades like carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, and electricians roles with real support and structure.
• Trade school welding programs offer an accelerated path (as short as 10 months) into high-paying welding career opportunities in industries like construction and aerospace.
• Tools like the NCCER Career Builder are game changers in helping prospective students match with the right path in the skilled trades industry—and it's available in high school.
• Women in skilled trades are gaining visibility and mentorship, especially through platforms like TikTok and YouTube, helping shift outdated narratives in the trades industry.

Bill Myers (also known as William Myers) is the National Director of Skilled Trades at Ancora Education. With decades of experience as a welder, fabricator, and educator, Bill has shaped modern training standards across trade programs. He's also an active voice on the Skilled Trades Advisory Council, focusing on education, craftsmanship, and career advocacy for tradespeople.

Skilled trades careers, Trade school welding programs, Women in skilled trades, Welding career opportunities, NCCER Career Builder, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Trades Careers, Education, Apprenticeships, Career Growth, Industry Experts, Craftsmanship, Problem-solving, Creativity, Andrew Brown, Bill Myers, William Myers, Ancora Education, Skilled Trades Advisory Council, Toolfetch, Welding, Carpentry, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Construction, Contractors, Tradespeople, Advocacy

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-myers-907503281/

Ancora Education: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ancora-education/

If you’re getting value from these episodes and want to help keep the mics on, consider tipping the show here → https://andrewbrowntrades.kit.com/products/toolbox

Every dollar helps us keep bringing unfiltered insights from the trades, straight to your ears.

Ferguson is investing big in skilled trades education. Melissa Hazelwood joins host Andrew Brown to reveal how they're building trades labs for plumbing, HVAC & more.

Join host Andrew Brown on The Lost Art of the Skilled Trades as he talks with Melissa Hazelwood, Director of Community Relations at Ferguson, about how one of America’s top plumbing and HVAC distributors is helping solve the trades labor crisis. From building hands-on training labs with Explore the Trades to investing in K-12 career awareness, Ferguson is reshaping how young people discover and enter high-paying trade careers.

Discover why early exposure matters, how Ferguson’s Skills Lab program works, and how companies can step up to support trades education in their own communities.

(02:15) — Why early exposure to the trades matters

(07:40) — Spotlight on “Castle Jarrett” and student engagement

(14:30) — Inside the Ferguson Skills Lab initiative and its national reach

(23:10) — The role of parents, guidance counselors, and social perception

(32:45) — Women in construction: tools, tiaras, and trade camps

(41:00) — Advice for companies wanting to support skilled trades education programs

Trade careers for kids should be introduced early through hands-on play, mentorship, and relatable role models.

The Ferguson Skills Lab initiative is a groundbreaking example of private industry investing in skilled trades education programs.

Explore the Trades partnerships help connect contractors, schools, and community leaders to offer scalable, real-world training.

Programs like women in construction training camps are essential to diversify the trades and empower the next generation of builders and problem-solvers.

Melissa Hazelwood is the Director of Social Impact at Ferguson, where she leads initiatives that support skilled trades education programs through national partnerships like the Explore the Trades partnership. She plays a key role in the Ferguson Skills Lab initiative, which has already reached thousands of students across the U.S. Her work bridges industry expertise and community service, ensuring that trade careers for kids remain a visible and viable path—especially through her support of women in construction training camps and other inclusive outreach programs.

Melissa shares how Ferguson's community-first mindset and collaboration with organizations like Explore the Trades are creating real social impact in the trades industry. Whether you're a parent, contractor, educator, or just passionate about craftsmanship, this episode is filled with insights on the future of trades careers and how we can all play a role in supporting the next generation of tradespeople.

Skilled trades education programs, Trade careers for kids, Ferguson Skills Lab initiative, Explore the Trades partnership, Women in construction training camps, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Andrew Brown, Melissa Hazelwood, Social Impact, Toolfetch, Carpentry, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Construction, Craftsmanship, Problem-solving, Creativity, Tradespeople, Advocacy, Trades Careers, Industry Experts, Contractors, Education, Skilled Trades Advisory Council

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkhazelwood/

Ferguson website: https://www.corporate.ferguson.com/esg/story-hub/news-details/2024/Building-the-future/default.aspx

If you’re getting value from these episodes and want to help keep the mics on, consider tipping the show here → https://andrewbrowntrades.kit.com/products/toolbox

Every dollar helps us keep bringing unfiltered insights from the trades, straight to your ears.

Host Andrew Brown sits down with This Old House host Kevin O’Connor to explore the state of the skilled trades career path in today’s economy. They dive deep into the construction labor shortage, discuss real-world apprenticeship opportunities, and reflect on the impact of places like Williamson College of the Trades.

They also confront outdated assumptions around the trade school vs college debate — and what needs to happen for the next generation to see the skilled trades not as a fallback, but as a first choice.

[00:01] – Kevin’s path from finance to This Old House

[08:45] – How trades-focused TV really gets made

[18:22] – Inside Williamson College of the Trades

[31:40] – Trade school vs college: fixing the PR problem

[45:10] – Addressing the construction labor shortage

[59:00] – Building better apprenticeship opportunities

Williamson College of the Trades is a tuition-free trade school creating career-ready graduates with multiple job offers, and no debt.

The construction labor shortage is real, but solvable if we invest in training, technology, and awareness.

Apprenticeship opportunities are the fastest, most effective way to launch a skilled trades career path and companies should promote them.

The trade school vs college decision should be based on ROI and lifestyle, not outdated assumptions or prestige.

Kevin O’Connor is the host of This Old House, a legendary PBS series now in its fifth decade. With roots in finance and family construction, Kevin brings a unique lens to the skilled trades industry, combining storytelling with advocacy. He’s a champion for institutions like Williamson College of the Trades and a vocal supporter of closing the construction labor shortage through smarter training and increased apprenticeship opportunities.

Skilled trades career path, construction labor shortage, apprenticeship opportunities, Williamson College of the Trades, trade school vs college, Skilled Trades, Trades Industry, Andrew Brown, Kevin Oconnor, This Old House, Toolfetch, Carpentry, HVAC, Electricians, Plumbers, Millwrights, Construction, Craftsmanship, Problem-solving, Creativity, Tradespeople, Advocacy, Trades Careers, Industry Experts, Contractors, Education, Skilled Trades Advisory Council

Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinoconnortoh/

Website: https://officialkevinoconnor.com/

If you’re getting value from these episodes and want to help keep the mics on, consider tipping the show here → https://andrewbrowntrades.kit.com/products/toolbox

Every dollar helps us keep bringing unfiltered insights from the trades, straight to your ears.