Is pursuing a career within skilled trades really worth it?
Skilled trades are experiencing huge demand but have little talent to supply the market, with a need for a projected 10,000 skilled trade workers across the United States next year!
I sat down with Leaf Home CEO and former GE executive Jon Bostock, to understand what is so exciting and lucrative about working in skilled trades.
Here is part 1 of the interview.
About. OK, So your work at Leave Home so I could every second. You joined as CEO this year, I think it was in March. Tell me more about what Leetham is and what you do. What's your, what's your vision for Leetham? Yeah. So first of all, it's interesting because it's more connected to the way I look at our world than not. And and I think you know people who know me and now that we brought up the book, I can connect these dots. I actually believe there's tremendous friction with the whole idea of home ownership. And if you look at what makes Leaf. So unique today it's that happens to have products with great market fit that allowed it to expand in 80% of zip codes in the United States. And so when you think about the landscape in the US, we cover it. And what's really interesting about that model is that we cover it with our own people and and and so we really rely on people who can not only go out and tell the story about our products, but can actually install. And when you look at complexity of homes, the fact that homes are getting older, the fact that people have. Less discretionary spend to go out and do improvements on their home. This is the real friction point and leaf is at this interesting point because it has the footprint and as we introduce new products and services we're really able to not only help homeowners in the short term, but we fundamentally believe in this long term vision that we can make homeownership easier and and less friction. And so I'm really I'm excited about the platform but it also by the way as you can imagine. As it relates to skills and trades, we are beholden to people who can actually do the work and what what many people don't realize the complexity of home ownership. And we joked about AI, but I'm right now sitting in a home that's over 100 years old. Really and and and by the way, the complexity of that is that my neighbor is also living in a house that's 100 years old, but this house has had significant changes to its infrastructure. The one next door has them. And so the challenge when you start thinking about understanding what really is going on with the home, it's much more technical, much more difficult than simply assessing something with a digital tool and saying, hey, these homes live next to each other, therefore they deal with the same. And so home ownership is very, very complex and it really does rely on people. And at least what we say all the time is that we truly are powered by our people. We absolutely use technology. But it's just like you're using AI to help you. It's you. That's the brain behind how this story comes to life. It's just like with our work, we use technology. But ultimately when you get into a situation and you observe either a bathroom that needs to be renovated or in some cases if someone's in a two-story. Home and they cannot access. Store floor one to floor 2, because of a disability, our product can actually move you up and we can set that situation. And so look, our flagship product was a product built to move rain away from the home which is is. It it, you know, it's it's a gutter protection product and it ironically is a product that a lot of people need because when you think about home ownership, water is one of the biggest issues you face, whether it's coming down or coming up. And so I, you know, look, I'm very proud of the platform we've built, but also I recognize the complexity of making sure that we've got a pipeline of talent to deliver on the promise not only like in three years but in 10 years. So just have curiosity just branching off. Planning to ask this Do you find that there's more of a demand for that particular product when it comes to taking rain away in areas where there's lots of tornadoes or hurricanes, like Florida and southern states? So it's really, it's fascinating. And you know, if you look at macro trends, as an example, take California, there's typically not a lot of rain out in California, but with debris that collects in your gutters, there's tremendous risk of fire. And so if you look at a lot of local municipalities, they will communicate to homeowners to really make sure they not only remove debris from the exterior of the dwelling, but they're also keeping the roof line including their gutters. Clean. And so that's an example of our product in that scenario provides a benefit that's a little bit different than take to your point Florida, which experiences A tremendous amount of rain. Even where I live in New Orleans, we've got a beautiful oak tree in the back. While it's beautiful, it drops a lot quite a year. And so before we had Lee Filter and this isn't, this is just reality where we had Lee Filter, we had someone who came out twice a year and it wasn't cheap and now. Of course, now now you know. Luckily, we've got a product that keeps our our. Gutters flowing and so you know look it that that is what drove the expansion of the company. But it is interesting because again when you look at products with unique market fit, they do. They kind of appeal to different markets in different ways. Yeah, exactly. That's fantastic. So now you're talking about the talent pipeline now. Yeah, how you finding it currently? Are you currently struggling when it comes to talent pipeline to fulfill those needs like and what kind of time are are we talking about here? Yeah, and look, I mean what what's really interesting about it is there's such a conundrum with trades and there's been such a negative perception of trades over time. It's and and I hear it from a lot of people that I know or or potential companies that we look at and you hear from the owner and owner. Making up an example, but the owner of a plumbing company, this is my kids have zero interest in being a plumber taking over the business and there's this shift away from trade. If you look at Leap Home as an example, we have demand of 10,000 trades people over the next year. So. So when you when you think about these macro trends of a younger generation who is more interested in potentially creating a PowerPoint or creating an Excel spreadsheet versus actually going out and doing something that. You can see the result of your physical work. There's been a big shift. And so part of our thesis is not only do we need to inspire people to be interested in the trades, but we also need to help people develop those skill sets and also support either schools or programs that teach people the trades. It's critically important for our society to have people who understand the trades and and candidly, the issue of aging out is a problem. And and and we need a next generation to be inspired to do it and I think there are a lot of like really positive reasons as to why you would want to participate in the trades. So before we get into those reasons, do you feel that digitalization has it has a huge is a huge factor as to why people are kind of moving away from not being so interested in actual manual labour and physical trades and and are more focused on you know things like consulting or or more less manual things do you think? Utilization and even the reason I've been of AI has a huge impact on that. I I I think you know, I I think everything is informed by what consumers are exposed to and you know if you look at the educational system today and if you look at a lot of the macro influences. They are more digitally focused. And so a lot of the work that you're exposed to and I've got young kids and so I look at it through that lens. There's a lot of exposure to things like engineering, a lot of exposure to the core learning like math, and that is wonderful. It's absolutely needed and it's critical for the development. But here's the challenge when you get to a certain age and when you start thinking about career development most. Students are pushed to really consider going to college. Once you're in college, it's not really set up to inspire you to be in trades. If you look at the career tracks, they're really built around. Jobs that are more kind of, I would argue, white collar than not. And so you know, there's this real cycle issue that we have of what you're exposed to.
Gen Z has the power to make anything trend, including skilled trades professions—a positive development given the labor shortage in our industry. By sharing their experiences on social media, young workers are breaking down barriers and stereotypes surrounding construction careers. 💪 Discover how this trend is inspiring a new generation to skill up and join the trades. #bluecollarhttps://lnkd.in/exuTEEjF
Helping current tradespeople grow in their careers and laying the foundation for future generations to join the trades is our purpose. We’re creating opportunities for everyone to step into meaningful, rewarding careers. Learn more about how we’re growing the trades in 2024 > https://sbdinc.me/3TzAKTs#ForThoseWhoMakeTheWorld
Great article! Contrary to popular belief, skilled trades is a very lucrative and stable market. It is a great career path with good upward mobility. Mike Rowe (Dirty Jobs) has been preaching this for years. Looks like the young folks are finally paying attention. Thanks for sharing Garrett Rice.
Interesting article from the Wall Street Journal on the shift in the workforce as Gen Z becomes known as the "Toolbelt Generation". It is exciting to see this group embracing the career opportunities available within the trade industries.
Thinking of joining the trades? Here are 3 great reasons to do so.
1. Live where you want - there's work everywhere
2. Job security - there is a high demand for trade workers.
3. Good pay - there are great opportunities for good pay, even at the start of your career.
Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions about getting started in the trades.
Given the volume and nature of reactions to this post it’s clear that business leaders are divided on this subject. I expect this makes it difficult for people who are early in their careers to figure out who to believe, who to follow. In the end, of course, it comes down to business performance.
So…if your business is 100% remote or hybrid and smashing it - blowing targets, profitable (or ahead of plan to be), stock price booming etc - then, to my original post, ignore me, stay at home, you’re clearly in good shape. In fact, why not implement a 4-day week…?
For other companies where performance and execution can improve, the macro can be used as a perpetual excuse, or we can take another look at fundamentals of work life and how we work together…
1) Slack/Zoom ≠ Teamwork. Companies are a collaboration of people contributing to a common goal. 1+1=3…not a group of disparate individuals. “I’m more productive at home” misses the whole point of “building a company”. Teaming - sharing knowledge, learning, problem solving, building trust - is fluid and constant. WFH is for sole traders, genuinely remote workers (> 2 hours from the team), and a tool for occasional creative focus.
2) Careers are built with active/present mentors. Smart, knowledgable and talented people have an obligation and responsibility to be physically available as a source of wisdom for others. People listen to the conversations of others and learn from them. People need answers to questions today, not ineffectively via Slack (because the majority of communication is non-verbal) or via calls in 3 days time.
3) “A grand don’t come for free” (per The Streets). No-one owes anybody anything. We all have to earn it. We can all be replaced with people who contribute to the team more and enable it to perform better.
4) Delayed gratification is a thing. Most of the time WFH is just a short-term hit of relatively pleasurable convenience. A successful and fulfilling life is about doing hard things, working through adversity, and playing the long game.
5) Pulling together to improve a company, a nation, an economy, the world, is a moral obligation for all citizens. Elon’s point about “laptop classes living in la-la-land” - i.e. it is hypocritical (and morally wrong) to work from home while expecting service workers to show up in person, is a fair statement.
And with that I'm going to jump on the quiet train home, which I admit is nice...
London Underground through zone-1 on a rainy Friday. 8.40am. Careers, and the economy, won’t grow like this.
Working through adversity and embracing the concept of “beneficial challenge” is the path to individual and corporate competitive advantage.
Get on the train. Earn it.
Gen Z is tearing down the stereotypes that have been built around a career in the trades. More and more, we are seeing this generation recognize that a four-year degree isn't the only option, and there is more than one path to success and happiness in your career. These are the shifts the industry needs to help address the skilled trades gap.
It's inspiring to hear first hand from young tradesmen and women the positive impact that a career in the trades is already having on their lives.
Read the full The Wall Street Journal article here: https://lnkd.in/ggAHG27q
We hear from employers all the time in Tennessee who struggle to find capable, job-ready candidates to fill our growing workforce, especially in high-demand areas such as skilled trades. What if we told you there is a way to join a pipeline of career-ready graduates who have spent a year building a robust set of employability skills, financial literacy, and the practical know-how to succeed in any interview or job setting?
We know it sounds too good to be true - but it isn't. The JAG Tennessee program does all of these things and more, and what's better is that we have years of data that bring the receipts. If you're intrigued, let's talk more about how becoming an employer partner can benefit your hiring process, your bottom line, and even your corporate social responsibility needs. Learn more at www.jagtn.org or reach out to jdwyer@jagtn.org!
We hear from employers all the time in Tennessee who struggle to find capable, job-ready candidates to fill our growing workforce, especially in high-demand areas such as skilled trades. What if we told you there is a way to join a pipeline of career-ready graduates who have spent a year building a robust set of employability skills, financial literacy, and the practical know-how to succeed in any interview or job setting?
We know it sounds too good to be true - but it isn't. The JAG Tennessee program does all of these things and more, and what's better is that we have years of data that bring the receipts. If you're intrigued, let's talk more about how becoming an employer partner can benefit your hiring process, your bottom line, and even your corporate social responsibility needs. Learn more at www.jagtn.org or reach out to jdwyer@jagtn.org!
Helping leaders grow their businesses and legacies every day. Integrator, fractional COO, resident make-it-happen-for-the-Visionary expert, and Owner at Goertz Consulting.
🎉Happy National Skilled Trades Day!
Today I want to do two things.
1. Remind anyone considering a new career path that the skilled trades are:
👷 A fantastic, profitable career choice with viable growth paths.
👩🏻💼 A very clear pathway to becoming a business owner.
🛠️ A way to materially choose a future where you get to build and create every day of your life.
and 2. Recognize my grandpa, opa, dad, brothers, uncles, aunts, and cousins who chose the trades. They have given so much to our communities, friends, and families: jobs to strangers and help for those who needed it.
The part not everyone gets to see is the way they continue that work at home. This random weeknight photo probably wouldn't make anyone's "highlight reel" shooting for all the likes, but it's definitely on mine. From renos to repairs they bring others along and have helped us each see ourselves as creators and problem solvers.
Their work has changed and improved the lives of everyone they work with, and for, and I'm incredibly honoured to not just be from a family of tradies, but able to help contractors and builders grow their businesses and legacy every day.
If you’re thinking about a career in the trades check out
Skills / Compétences CanadaSkills OntarioSkills Council of CanadaBring Back the Trades, Inc
for great information!
#nationalskilledtradesday#offtheclock
CEO | Best-selling author | Early-stage consumer investor
9moI loved sharing our story with you.