If you’re in home services or construction, you’ve probably noticed that finding qualified technicians is getting harder. But what if the solution isn’t just better hiring, it’s better training?
In this episode of Titans of the Trades: Stories of How to Win from Construction Powerhouses, Ryan Englin talks to Danielle Wernert, Owner of Upskilled Consulting and one of the first people to build an internal trades training academy from the ground up.
Danielle started her journey in the trades as an executive assistant. Today, she’s a leading voice helping companies launch and scale their own in-house academies. And her insights are exactly what you need if you’re ready to stop wishing for better techs and start building them.
Training the Next Generation Starts Early
Danielle points out something most contractors miss: workforce development doesn’t start at the job ad. It starts in junior high.
Yes, junior high.
She explains how contractors need to be visible in local schools and get students excited about trades careers long before graduation. “Don’t just stand there in uniform with a hammer,” she says. “Make it fun. Get them moving and interacting.”
Don’t Just Train the New Hires – Train the Trainers
Most training programs fail because of one simple mistake: the senior tech showing the ropes was never trained to teach.
You’re throwing your greenest recruits into a truck with someone who knows how to fix equipment, not how to transfer that knowledge effectively. Danielle insists on training the mentors before they train the techs. This small shift makes all the difference in program consistency and technician confidence.
You Don’t Need a Huge Budget or Big Team to Start
Think training academies are only for $20M contractors? Think again.
Danielle’s advice: Start with what you’ve got. If you’re doing $5M or more in revenue and have a couple of people you want to develop, you can start your own program. You don’t need a fancy lab or a 20-person class. Start with two. Make it real. Improve as you go.
And yes, your veteran techs can be students too.
Gamify It – Because PowerPoints Aren’t Cutting It
Most field techs are kinesthetic learners. They work with their hands, and that means your training should let them do the same.
Danielle uses game-based training to engage and retain. One example: Safety Jenga, where each block has a safety question. Pull the block, answer the question, and build the tower. Sounds simple, but it works.
She even provides fidget toys in meetings so techs stay focused. “Don’t train them like they’re college students,” she says. “Train them the way they actually learn.”
Capture Tribal Knowledge Before It Walks Out the Door
The looming retirement of experienced techs is a huge risk for contractors. All that knowledge? Gone, unless you capture it.
Danielle’s solution is simple: video. Set up a camera. Have the veteran teach a topic. It doesn’t have to be polished, just record. Pair them with techs who need help. Create micro-learning modules. Your academy is now building itself.
So How Do You Fill the Seats?
Danielle had over 2,000 applicants for just 43 seats in one of her academies. How?
- Strong referral program (as in, “pay off your car” strong).
- Local school engagement.
- Community visibility.
- Building a culture no one wants to leave.
Want to build an academy your competitors envy? Listen to the full episode and learn how to get started.
Connect With Danielle:
Website: https://upskilledconsulting.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-wernert/
Support Titans of the Trades
If you found this episode insightful, please subscribe, share, and leave a review for Titans of the Trades. Your support goes a long way in helping us bring more impactful discussions your way.
