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FourMan Podcast

FourMan Podcast

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Welcome to the FourMan Podcast, where four shop teachers step out of the classroom and into the booth to talk all things building, trades, and the people behind the tools. Each week, we welcome a surprise guest from the world of construction — from seasoned pros to rising stars — to share real stories, career insights, and the kind of shop talk you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a student just picking up your first hammer or a veteran foreman with sawdust in your veins, this podcast brings you humor, heart, and a heavy dose of hands-on wisdom. Just straight-up conversations built on blue-collar pride. Join us as we build futures, one episode at a time.© 2026 (Four)Man Podcast Economia Ricerca del lavoro Successo personale
Episodi
  • How to Build a Better Apprenticeship with Tom Keena

    How to Build a Better Apprenticeship with Tom Keena
    Jul 30 2026
    What does a successful apprenticeship program actually look like?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 shortBalancing electrical theory, code instruction, and hands-on trainingWhat contractors expect from new apprenticesThe difference between union and non-union pathwaysHow students without industry connections can get startedUsing pre-apprenticeship classes to prove readinessWhy volunteering and relevant work experience matterBuilding an effective industry advisory boardFinding qualified trades instructorsDeveloping and continuously improving curriculumUsing Canvas and short instructional videosEncouraging students to teach and network with one anotherWhy trades programs need both funding and dedicated spaceThe financial opportunities available in the skilled tradesTom 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 closingChapters00:00 Electrician earnings versus the traditional college path00:47 Meet electrical trades educator Tom Keena01:08 From working electrician to trades instructor02:40 What apprenticeship training should actually include03:14 Ken’s approach to hands-on construction education04:31 Growing a hands-on electrical program07:53 What contractors expect from apprentices08:44 Building industry partnerships and advisory boards10:49 Union and non-union electrical pathways11:15 Breaking into the industry without connections14:44 Why qualified trades instructors are difficult to find16:29 Developing and improving curriculum18:43 Using short videos to support instruction19:55 Peer teaching, networking, and staying employed22:43 Making the case for more funding and space23:02 Why the trades deserve greater recognition25:21 Moving beyond the college-only mindset25:51 Final thoughts and closingEpisode ExcerptTom 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 DescriptionElectrical 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.
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    27 min
  • Making It in the Trades // Harvey Jesso The Maritime Carpenter

    Making It in the Trades // Harvey Jesso The Maritime Carpenter
    Jun 19 2026
    Stop Handing Kids a Broom: Harvey Jesso on Building the Next Generation of TradespeopleShort Episode DescriptionIn 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 NotesHarvey 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 EpisodeHow Harvey got started on a construction site at 10 years oldWhy family background helps, but is not required to succeed in the tradesHow a good first jobsite experience can change someone’s career pathWhy yelling, ego, and bad jobsite culture scare young people awayHow Harvey built multiple companies by finding needs and the right peopleWhat he looks for when hiring young workersWhy contractors should invest in students before bad habits formHow to make young people feel useful on a jobsiteWhy “just sweep up” is not enough to keep students excitedThe 46-year-old banker from Brazil who changed careers into carpentryThe difference between Red Seal certification in Canada and carpentry in the U.S.Why students need a vision for what the trades can provideHarvey’s advice for young people who want to make it in the industrySuggested Chapter Markers00:00 — Cold Open: Stop Handing Kids a BroomHarvey 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 CarpenterNoah 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 OldHarvey 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 MattersThe crew talks about the difference between a good mentor and the old-school screaming foreman approach.10:00 — Building Businesses by Finding the Right PeopleHarvey 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 CrewHarvey 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 JobsiteHarvey shares what he looks for in young people and why ambition, showing up, and attitude matter.19:00 — Let Them Feel Like They Built SomethingThe 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 MomentAdam 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 EffortAdam shares the core values his program teaches young people before they enter the workforce.26:00 — It’s Never Too Late to Start OverHarvey 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 DifferentNoah connects the conversation to students and adults who are tired of work that does not feel meaningful.32:00 — Building Your Own Workforce PipelineHarvey 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 DifferenceThe crew compares the Canadian Red Seal system with the looser path into carpentry in the United States.38:00 — Helping Students See the FutureAdam talks about casting a vision for young people and helping them understand what a career in the trades can actually ...
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    35 min
  • The Shop Class Showdown: How Shop Teachers Are Getting Industry to Invest in Students

    The Shop Class Showdown: How Shop Teachers Are Getting Industry to Invest in Students
    Jun 5 2026

    This special episode of the FourMan Podcast brings together shop teachers from across the country to recap the first-ever Shop Class Showdown — a friendly competition that started as a joke and turned into something much bigger.

    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
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    29 min
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