Bridging the Generational Gap: The Future Instructors Program

In this candid episode, we sit down with Jess Slade, a fourth-year pipefitting apprentice at UA Local 502 in Louisville, KY. She’s a participant in the UA's Future Instructors program, part of an effort to train the next generation of trade educators from within the apprenticeship pipeline.We discuss:• How the Future Instructors program identifies apprentices with leadership potential and develops them into educators while they're still completing their training• Why the industry's instructor shortage is just as urgent as its labor shortage, and how programs like this are addressing it• The power of dual mentorship, where younger apprentices help veteran instructors adapt to new technology while learning trade skills in return• How generational differences in learning styles, communication and emotional intelligence are reshaping classroom instruction• Why understanding "the why" behind technical training builds more capable, more invested tradespeopleJess offers a refreshingly honest perspective on what it's like to be young in the trades today, the value of mentorship in both directions and why she believes her generation is poised to make a lasting impact on the industry. Whether you're an instructor navigating new technology or a young tradesperson considering a path into teaching, this episode offers real insight into where trades education is headed.#Trades #Apprenticeship #ESCO #ESCOInstitute #UnionTrades #TradeEducation--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------🎥 This Week’s Video is Brought to You By Our Amazing Sponsors!A huge THANK YOU to this week’s sponsors for supporting education and excellence in the HVACR industry! 👇💨 Daikin Comfort — https://daikincomfort.com / @DaikinComfort — Delivering comfort, efficiency and innovation through advanced HVAC technology.🧰 Service Logic — https://www.servicelogic.com / @ServiceLogic-CommercialHVAC — The nation’s largest privately held HVAC service company — keeping facilities efficient and reliable.🌎 Hudson Technologies — https://www.hudsontech.com / @HudsonTechnologies — Leading the charge in sustainable refrigerant management and recovery solutions.📚 iConnect Training — https://iconnecttraining.com / @iconnecttraining — Providing world-class hands-on HVACR education and training resources for future technicians.🔧 The United Association (UA) — https://ua.org / @UAPipeTrades — Building America’s skilled workforce through premier training for plumbers, fitters, welders and HVACR professionals.👏 We’re grateful for their continued support in helping advance the HVACR industry through training, innovation and opportunity!#HVAC #HVACTechnician #HVACTraining #DaikinComfort #ServiceLogic #HudsonTechnologies #iConnectTraining #UnitedAssociation #HVACCommunity #TradeEducation #HVACR #Refrigeration #Technology #FutureOfHVACR #EcoFriendly #ContinuousEducation #StayCurrent