Tom: Welcome to Money Bits Top Product Podcast. I’m Tom [Craigler 00:00:20]. We get calls on our radio show every single week from homeowners across the country that literally grew up not knowing which end of the hammer to hold. It’s kind of sad because trade education is really important, whether you’re a homeowner now and just living in a house that’s pretty much been built the same way for the last 200 years, or you’re somebody that aspires to become a tradesman. Having that basic knowledge is really, really critical.
There’s a DIY pro named Kayleen McCabe who’s been making it her personal mission to make sure education exists to teach people to do just that as she joins me now. Hey Kayleen.
Kayleen: Hey Tom. Thanks so much for having me.
Tom: You did a long history in this industry, you’re a star of the DIY network. Tell me about some of the shows you’ve done.
Kayleen: I was lucky enough to be the host of Rescue Renovation for 5 seasons. I’ve also been a guest judge and a participant on a few other specials like Last House Standing, and even All American Handyman.
Tom: Tell me about your work now to raise awareness on trade education.
Kayleen: I am traveling across the country speaking to high schoolers, and letting them know that there is another option for education outside of high school. That’s in the trades. The opportunity is for employment, and growth in that industry is giant right now. Opportunities for secondary education outside of high school are huge. If you can get into the trades, you have the opportunity for employment, and actually a long term career that’s going to be profitable for you.
Tom: What I think is really sad, is that I used to be in a shop teacher. I was formerly trained to teach industrial arts. That class doesn’t really exist anymore. You can’t even take students that have the initial beginnings of being handy, and sort of given the opportunity to understand that this is something they want to do moving forward in their life.
Kayleen: It is sad actually not having that opportunity to explore and find out what you like. School is terrible. I think that there are a lot of moments being missed now. I’m trying to encourage high schoolers to, “you know what, if you have an interest or a spark, Google search ‘who are the top contractors in your area specializing in that.’ Reach out to your teachers and try to find those resources to actually have the opportunity to educate yourself.
Tom: We’re talking to Kayleen McCabe about her personal effort to improve education in the trades. What’s the reaction then from the students you’re talking to?
Kayleen: A lot of eye opening moments, that ah-ha moment on, no, college is not the only option. When I start to talk about, you’re going to have skills without the debt that normally comes with college, it’s a huge incentive for a lot of these students.
Tom: The student is listening to this and wants to take that next step, what would you say the best thing is to do?
Kayleen: Because we no longer have a centralized way to educate people in the trades, I’m going to have to suggest these students go to Google. Google search trade education opportunities in your area, then you can span out from there.
Tom: I know you’re a fan of Skills USA, would that be a great program to explore.
Kayleen: That would be beyond the best. Skills USA is really such a great program. It’s a universal platform that they’re teaching everybody on. It’s not available in all areas, but there are a lot of different chapters that can be very very close to you.
Tom: Great work. Kayleen McCabe, thank you so much for filling us in and stopping by the Money Bits Top Product podcast.
Kayleen: Thanks Tom.
Tom: Welcome to Money Bits Top Product Podcast. I’m Tom [Craigler 00:00:20]. We get calls on our radio show every single week from homeowners across the country that literally grew up not knowing which end of the hammer to hold. It’s kind of sad because trade education is really important, whether you’re a homeowner now and just living in a house that’s pretty much been built the same way for the last 200 years, or you’re somebody that aspires to become a tradesman. Having that basic knowledge is really, really critical.
There’s a DIY pro named Kayleen McCabe who’s been making it her personal mission to make sure education exists to teach people to do just that as she joins me now. Hey Kayleen.
Kayleen: Hey Tom. Thanks so much for having me.
Tom: You did a long history in this industry, you’re a star of the DIY network. Tell me about some of the shows you’ve done.
Kayleen: I was lucky enough to be the host of Rescue Renovation for 5 seasons. I’ve also been a guest judge and a participant on a few other specials like Last House Standing, and even All American Handyman.
Tom: Tell me about your work now to raise awareness on trade education.
Kayleen: I am traveling across the country speaking to high schoolers, and letting them know that there is another option for education outside of high school. That’s in the trades. The opportunity is for employment, and growth in that industry is giant right now. Opportunities for secondary education outside of high school are huge. If you can get into the trades, you have the opportunity for employment, and actually a long term career that’s going to be profitable for you.
Tom: What I think is really sad, is that I used to be in a shop teacher. I was formerly trained to teach industrial arts. That class doesn’t really exist anymore. You can’t even take students that have the initial beginnings of being handy, and sort of given the opportunity to understand that this is something they want to do moving forward in their life.
Kayleen: It is sad actually not having that opportunity to explore and find out what you like. School is terrible. I think that there are a lot of moments being missed now. I’m trying to encourage high schoolers to, “you know what, if you have an interest or a spark, Google search ‘who are the top contractors in your area specializing in that.’ Reach out to your teachers and try to find those resources to actually have the opportunity to educate yourself.
Tom: We’re talking to Kayleen McCabe about her personal effort to improve education in the trades. What’s the reaction then from the students you’re talking to?
Kayleen: A lot of eye opening moments, that ah-ha moment on, no, college is not the only option. When I start to talk about, you’re going to have skills without the debt that normally comes with college, it’s a huge incentive for a lot of these students.
Tom: The student is listening to this and wants to take that next step, what would you say the best thing is to do?
Kayleen: Because we no longer have a centralized way to educate people in the trades, I’m going to have to suggest these students go to Google. Google search trade education opportunities in your area, then you can span out from there.
Tom: I know you’re a fan of Skills USA, would that be a great program to explore.
Kayleen: That would be beyond the best. Skills USA is really such a great program. It’s a universal platform that they’re teaching everybody on. It’s not available in all areas, but there are a lot of different chapters that can be very very close to you.
Tom: Great work. Kayleen McCabe, thank you so much for filling us in and stopping by the Money Bits Top Product podcast.
Kayleen: Thanks Tom.
Leave a Reply