Tom Keena spent approximately 15 years working in the electrical trade before becoming an educator. After experiencing apprenticeship classes that relied heavily on diagrams and classroom instruction, Tom believed students needed more opportunities to troubleshoot, wire, build, and practice with the equipment they would encounter in the field.

Nearly three decades later, he has helped develop a hands-on electrical program serving approximately 250 apprentices and more than 350 total students.

In this episode, Tom joins Noah, Ken, and Adam to discuss how his program works, why contractors participate in its advisory board, and what students need to do to become attractive candidates for an apprenticeship.

Tom also explains why completing a class is only part of the equation. Contractors are looking for people who are coachable, dependable, willing to learn, and serious enough to begin developing relevant experience before they are hired.

The conversation covers:

• Why traditional apprenticeship instruction can fall short
• Balancing electrical theory, code instruction, and hands-on training
• What contractors expect from new apprentices
• The difference between union and non-union pathways
• How students without industry connections can get started
• Using pre-apprenticeship classes to prove readiness
• Why volunteering and relevant work experience matter
• Building an effective industry advisory board
• Finding qualified trades instructors
• Developing and continuously improving curriculum
• Using Canvas and short instructional videos
• Encouraging students to teach and network with one another
• Why trades programs need both funding and dedicated space
• The financial opportunities available in the skilled trades

Tom also shares the story of comparing his earnings as an electrician with his brother’s earnings as a high school teacher—and why more families need to recognize the trades as a legitimate and potentially lucrative career path.

• (00:00) - Electrician earnings versus the traditional college path
• (00:47) - Meet electrical trades educator Tom Keena
• (01:08) - From working electrician to trades instructor
• (02:40) - What apprenticeship training should actually include
• (03:14) - Ken’s approach to hands-on construction education
• (04:31) - Growing a hands-on electrical program
• (07:53) - What contractors expect from apprentices
• (08:44) - Building industry partnerships and advisory boards
• (10:49) - Union and non-union electrical pathways
• (11:15) - Breaking into the industry without connections
• (14:44) - Why qualified trades instructors are difficult to find
• (16:29) - Developing and improving curriculum
• (18:43) - Using short videos to support instruction
• (19:55) - Peer teaching, networking, and staying employed
• (22:43) - Making the case for more funding and space
• (23:02) - Why the trades deserve greater recognition
• (25:21) - Moving beyond the college-only mindset
• (25:51) - Final thoughts and closing

00:00 Electrician earnings versus the traditional college path
00:47 Meet electrical trades educator Tom Keena
01:08 From working electrician to trades instructor
02:40 What apprenticeship training should actually include
03:14 Ken’s approach to hands-on construction education
04:31 Growing a hands-on electrical program
07:53 What contractors expect from apprentices
08:44 Building industry partnerships and advisory boards
10:49 Union and non-union electrical pathways
11:15 Breaking into the industry without connections
14:44 Why qualified trades instructors are difficult to find
16:29 Developing and improving curriculum
18:43 Using short videos to support instruction
19:55 Peer teaching, networking, and staying employed
22:43 Making the case for more funding and space
23:02 Why the trades deserve greater recognition
25:21 Moving beyond the college-only mindset
25:51 Final thoughts and closing

Episode Excerpt

Tom Keena explains how hands-on labs, industry advisory boards, pre-apprenticeship classes, and peer learning can create an electrical training program that students value and contractors trust.

SEO Description

Electrical trades educator Tom Keena discusses apprenticeships, hands-on electrician training, pre-apprenticeship programs, industry partnerships, curriculum development, and what contractors look for when hiring new apprentices.

Short Episode Description

In this episode of the Four Man Podcast, we sit down with Harvey Jesso, better known as The Maritime Carpenter, to talk about what it really takes to get young people excited about the trades — and how contractors, teachers, and business owners can help them stick with it.

Full Show Notes

Harvey Jesso has lived the trades from every angle. He grew up around construction, stepped onto his first jobsite as a kid, started his first business at 18, worked in brutal conditions in the Yukon, and eventually built multiple companies under the Maritime name, including carpentry, electrical, kitchens, and cleaning.

But this episode is about more than Harvey’s story.

It is about how the trades actually grow.

Harvey talks with Noah, Ken, and Adam about what young people need when they first step onto a jobsite, why the first experience matters so much, and why the old-school “just grab a broom and stay out of the way” approach might be pushing good people away before they ever get started.

The big takeaway: if you want young people to love the trades, let them safely experience the work. Let them use the tools. Let them feel the pride of saying, “I helped build that.”

The crew also gets into business ownership, building a workforce pipeline, the difference between Canadian Red Seal certification and the U.S. approach to carpentry, and the challenge of helping students see what their future could look like in the trades.

This one is packed with real talk for contractors, teachers, students, parents, and anyone who cares about the future of skilled trades.

In This Episode

• How Harvey got started on a construction site at 10 years old
• Why family background helps, but is not required to succeed in the trades
• How a good first jobsite experience can change someone’s career path
• Why yelling, ego, and bad jobsite culture scare young people away
• How Harvey built multiple companies by finding needs and the right people
• What he looks for when hiring young workers
• Why contractors should invest in students before bad habits form
• How to make young people feel useful on a jobsite
• Why “just sweep up” is not enough to keep students excited
• The 46-year-old banker from Brazil who changed careers into carpentry
• The difference between Red Seal certification in Canada and carpentry in the U.S.
• Why students need a vision for what the trades can provide
• Harvey’s advice for young people who want to make it in the industry

Suggested Chapter Markers

00:00 — Cold Open: Stop Handing Kids a Broom
Harvey explains why giving young people real tools, real instruction, and real responsibility can change how they see the trades.

01:00 — Meet Harvey Jesso, The Maritime Carpenter
Noah introduces Harvey and explains why one dinner at JLC Live made it obvious he needed to be on the podcast.

03:00 — Starting on a Jobsite at 10 Years Old
Harvey shares how he first got interested in construction by showing up at a jobsite as a kid and asking to help.

07:00 — Why the First Jobsite Experience Matters
The crew talks about the difference between a good mentor and the old-school screaming foreman approach.

10:00 — Building Businesses by Finding the Right People
Harvey explains how Maritime Electrical started and why knowing someone’s work ethic can lead to a new opportunity.

13:00 — Maritime Carpentry, Kitchens, Electrical, and Clean Crew
Harvey walks through how his businesses grew and how social media helped build trust before a meeting ever happened.

16:00 — What Young Workers Need on the Jobsite
Harvey shares what he looks for in young people and why ambition, showing up, and attitude matter.

19:00 — Let Them Feel Like They Built Something
The conversation hits the heart of the episode: young people need to feel useful, trusted, and proud of the work.

22:00 — Adam Joins and the Wedding-Day Podcast Moment
Adam jumps in, and Harvey casually reveals that his daughter’s wedding is happening that same day.

24:00 — Be Teachable, Be On Time, Be Positive, Give Your Best Effort
Adam shares the core values his program teaches young people before they enter the workforce.

26:00 — It’s Never Too Late to Start Over
Harvey tells the story of a 46-year-old banker from Brazil who left banking behind to pursue carpentry.

29:00 — Meaningful Work and Why the Trades Are Different
Noah connects the conversation to students and adults who are tired of work that does not feel meaningful.

32:00 — Building Your Own Workforce Pipeline
Harvey explains why he takes chances on younger workers now in hopes they return later as skilled tradespeople.

35:00 — Red Seal, Licensing, and the U.S. vs. Canada Difference
The crew compares the Canadian Red Seal system with the looser path into carpentry in the United States.

38:00 — Helping Students See the Future
Adam talks about casting a vision for young people and helping them understand what a career in the trades can actually provide.

41:00 — Harvey’s Advice for Young People
Harvey closes with simple but powerful advice: ask questions, stay positive, take your time, and listen.

Best Quote Pulls

“Don’t just hand them a broom and a garbage bag. Let them safely use the tools. Let them feel like they helped build something.”

“If you can get them to the site, you’re already doing something right.”

“The atmosphere matters. You don’t just want them to like carpentry — you want them to like being around it.”

“It doesn’t matter how old you are. If you want to do it, just do it.”

“Take your time. Don’t rush it. Ask questions and listen.”

Guest

Harvey Jesso
Known as The Maritime Carpenter, Harvey is a carpenter, business owner, and trades advocate based in Canada. He owns multiple businesses under the Maritime name and is passionate about bringing young people into the trades through real jobsite experience, mentorship, and opportunity.

 keywords

Trades, Carpentry, Business Scaling, Youth Employment, Mentorship, Entrepreneurship, Workforce Development

Mentioned in This Episode

JLC Live Conference - https://jlclive.com/
Maritime Carpentry - https://maritimecarpentry.com/
Maritime Electrical - https://maritimeelectrical.com/
Maritime Kitchens - https://maritimekitchens.com/

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/harveyjesso
Instagram - https://instagram.com/maritimecarpentry

• The Maritime Carpenter
• Maritime Carpentry
• Maritime Electrical
• Maritime Kitchens
• Maritime Clean Crew
• JLC Live
• Red Seal certification
• Workforce development
• Carpentry education
• Young people entering the trades

Noah is joined by Gregg Helmich, Josh Jacobs, and Bobby Miller to talk about how teachers are building industry partnerships, bringing tools and materials into their classrooms, and creating real opportunities for students.

From trade shows like IBS, IWF, JLC, and World of Concrete, to advisory boards, playhouse competitions, social media, and direct outreach, this conversation is all about one question:

How do we get more companies connected to the next generation of builders, makers, and tradespeople?

Gregg shares how he brought in over $100,000 for his program and why gratitude matters whether the donation is $10 or $25,000. Josh talks about the power of simply asking companies for support and how student-built projects can lead directly to internships. Bobby shares how industry partnerships helped grow his program and why companies should care about what is happening inside shop classrooms.

What started as a competition turned into a bigger reminder: when industry supports shop class, students win.

Show Notes

In this special episode, we talk about:

• How the Shop Class Showdown started as a joke and became a real movement
• Why shop teachers need industry partners, not just classroom budgets
• Gregg Helmich bringing in over $100,000 in support for his program
• The importance of gratitude when building long-term partnerships
• Why tool companies should care about the first tools students use
• How social media helps shop teachers connect with brands, contractors, and other educators
• What Josh Jacobs learned from watching another teacher ask companies directly for support
• Why trade shows like IBS, JLC, IWF, and World of Concrete matter for shop teachers
• Bobby Miller’s experience building industry support in cabinetry and woodworking
• How advisory boards can grow from a few people into a powerful network of industry partners
• The Parade of Playhouses and how student projects can lead to real internships and job offers
• Why companies should see shop students as future employees, future customers, and future leaders
• How teachers can make their programs visible so businesses know how to help

Featured Guests

Gregg Helmich — Trades educator and industry partnership powerhouse
Josh Jacobs — Shop teacher helping connect students with builders through hands-on projects
Bobby Miller — Woodshop and cabinetry teacher focused on industry partnerships and student opportunity
Noah Hughes — Host of the FourMan Podcast and carpentry teacher at Caroline High School

Discover James’s inspiring journey from a young kid helping his grandfather to leading successful exterior remodeling and nonprofit initiatives. Learn how practical skills, work ethic, and community service can shape a meaningful career in the trades.

In this episode:

• How James’s early experiences in the trades sparked a lifelong passion
• The importance of work ethic, punctuality, and soft skills in business success
• The role of nonprofits as a pathway for young people to gain real-world skills
• Building a successful remodeling company amidst a booming housing market
• The lessons learned from disaster relief efforts after hurricanes
• Tips for students: essential skills for thriving in trades and entrepreneurship
• The importance of budgeting, understanding profit margins, and teaching business acumen
• The value of surround yourself with great people and develop a team-oriented mindset
• How HGTV influences perceptions of construction and practical realities vs. media portrayals

Timestamps:
00:40 - Introducing James and his background in trades and community service

04:04 - How James’s grandfather influenced his entry into trades

07:15 - James’s start in disaster response and community projects

09:50 - Connecting nonprofits with trade education for youth

11:13 - Advice for students to stay engaged in high school and develop life skills

12:40 - Common pitfalls for trade business owners relating to budgeting and profit

15:24 - The origins of Fred Exteriors and its focus on exterior remodeling

17:23 - Why James chose exterior remodeling over restoration or new construction

18:01 - James’s five-year vision for his business

21:02 - Teaching soft skills and professionalism to young tradespeople

23:16 - How to present the value of construction work to clients

24:40 - Media influence of HGTV vs. reality in construction costs

26:48 - The benefits of young people acquiring skills early in life

28:35 - James’s hypothetical class: Life skills and integrity over technical skills only

Resources & Links:

•  516 Project 
• Fred Exteriors 

Connect with James:

• Instagram @jamesbuidshope

Additional notes:

James’s story underscores the power of hard work, community engagement, and practical skills in creating diverse career opportunities beyond traditional college paths. His insights highlight the value of soft skills, entrepreneurship, and mentorship for the next generation.

construction, trades education, continuous learning, workforce development, soft skills, high performance building, Habitat for Humanity, mentorship, career growth

Main Topics:

• The role of reputation in construction and trades
• How early work ethic influences career growth
• Transition from college work to professional construction
• Building trust with clients and subcontractors
• Handling mistakes and fostering a culture of ownership
• Strategies for hiring for work ethic and attitude
• The impact of passive house certification on project opportunities
• Effective marketing and word-of-mouth growth
• Inspiring the next generation of tradespeople

Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Steven Kasay and the episode focus on reputation
02:00 - The significance of reputation from day one in the trades
03:37 - Early influences and how attitude camp shaped work ethic
04:45 - Building a reputation through hard work and consistency
06:20 - Challenges of the content creation side in construction
07:15 - Steven's transition from furniture making to full-scale construction
08:39 - Starting his own company after college and early opportunities
10:28 - The importance of reputation for getting hired and entrusted
11:57 - How opportunity follows reputation
13:18 - Work ethic as the key trait in hiring and team building
15:27 - The importance of willingness to try new things and embrace failure
16:15 - Owning mistakes and maintaining a good reputation
17:07 - The value of long-term relationships with subcontractors
18:04 - The complexity of passive house standards and project execution
20:15 - The role of word-of-mouth and client trust in business growth
22:35 - Hiring practices and vetting new team members
24:23 - Transitioning to project management and hiring college-educated employees
26:41 - Building a team with specialized trades and subcontractors
28:42 - The significance of opportunity-driven hiring and reputation
30:35 - The importance of integrity and reputation when referring talent
31:41 - Parallels between farm work ethic and construction success
33:39 - Fun profile of Steven for trade events and branding
34:30 - Future plans and industry events, including IBS and JLC Live
36:02 - Final thoughts and appreciation for the industry communityResources & Links:

• Steven Kasay - LinkedIn

• Passive House Institute US

• IBS Conference

"There's nothing like this."
"The networking opportunity is huge."
"It's unbelievable what it can do."

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Industry Events for Educators
02:57 Networking and Collaboration Among Teachers
05:40 Building Connections with Local Builders
08:49 Real-World Applications in Education
11:48 Advisory Committees and Community Engagement
16:48 Building Local Connections
19:41 The Power of Networking
23:06 The Shift in Trade Education
25:59 The Evolution of Trade Programs
29:44 The Fulfillment of Building
31:04 The Value of Trade Education
31:59 Looking Ahead to the Future

Takeaways

Some students are job site ready, but many are not.
Hands-on training is crucial for student success.
Work ethic can be taught and is essential in the trades.
The construction industry faces a mindset issue regarding hard work.
Finding the right students for the trades is challenging.
Failure is a necessary part of learning in construction.
Students need time to grow and develop skills.
Quality in construction is paramount, regardless of materials used.
Curriculum should balance traditional methods with innovative practices.
Creating a positive learning environment is key to student engagement.