PowerHour by PowerWool™
The skilled trades are facing a critical challenge: attracting, training, and retaining the next generation of talent. While many organizations talk about supporting trade education, what does meaningful support actually look like?
Join PowerWool’s June PowerHour as we bring together educators, industry leaders, contractors, and students for an honest conversation about how we can better connect education with real-world opportunities and create stronger pathways into the trades.
Featured Panelists
- Connor Malloy, Building Science Educator, George Brown College
- Matt Blomquist, Lincoln Tech
- Walt Tomala, TNT General Contracting
- Current trade school students who will share their firsthand experiences and perspectives on entering the industry
Topics We’ll Explore
- What the industry often gets wrong about “supporting the trades” and what students and educators actually need
- How site visits, jobsite exposure, and hands-on experiences can become part of education, not an afterthought
- Ways manufacturers, suppliers, architects, and builders can contribute without turning education into a sales pitch
- What being “job-ready” looks like today compared to 10 years ago
- The student perspective: what opportunities are making the biggest impact on their education and future careers
- How contractors can build a sustainable workforce through internship and mentorship programs
- A real-world case study from TNT General Contracting on integrating trade school students into active projects, developing future employees, and creating a pipeline of skilled workers while maintaining quality workmanship
- Best practices for turning internships and field experience into long-term career opportunities
This discussion will bring together voices from the classroom, the jobsite, and the next generation of tradespeople to explore practical ways our industry can invest in workforce development and strengthen the future of construction.
Whether you’re a builder, contractor, architect, manufacturer, supplier, educator, student, or simply passionate about workforce development, you’ll walk away with actionable ideas and a better understanding of how we can all play a role in supporting trade education.
Reserve your spot today and join the conversation.
Who Should Attend?
- Builders and Contractors
- Architects and Designers
- Manufacturers and Suppliers
- Trade School Educators
- Students and Apprentices
- Anyone passionate about developing the next generation of skilled tradespeople
PowerHour Series
Monthly discussions featuring industry experts tackling the most important topics in building science, construction, and workforce development.
