While not a tradesperson himself, author and marketing professional Ryan Kiscaden is a passionate advocate for the skilled trades. He sees the "gray beards" of the industry retiring without a strong pipeline of new talent to replace them.
In this episode of MSW Cast, Kiscaden argues that while financial incentives are helpful, the real battle is a perception challenge. He explains why the negative, outdated stereotypes surrounding the trades persist and why current recruitment efforts aren't doing enough to solve the critical labor shortage.
Start with the youngest generation
Kiscaden's core message is that to truly change the narrative, we must start much earlier — long before high school career days. He believes the solution begins in the home by shaping the attitudes of young children. His creative approach to this challenge was to write a series of children's books called The Next Up Trade Series. In the podcast, Kiscaden shares the mission behind his books, which aim to introduce trade vocabulary and portray technicians as the problem-solving heroes they are.
Building the future workforce
This conversation goes beyond books, as Kiscaden discusses the importance of showcasing the modern, high-tech side of the trades, from advanced sewer inspection systems to artificial intelligence, in order to appeal to a new generation. He offers a compelling vision for how parents, educators and industry leaders can work together to eliminate old biases and highlight trades careers.
Tune in to the episode here. It's also on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. And as always, if you have a story of your own to tell, a solution to share or a fresh perspective on the challenges facing the industry, Cleaner/MSW/Plumber Cast wants to hear from you. Click here to apply to be a guest.
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