Just Thinking… About Developing the Next Generation of Skilled Trade Professionals with Josh Nieves

The skilled trades industry is at a crossroads. With a growing labor shortage and an aging workforce, industries like construction and electrical work face urgent challenges in attracting and developing new talent. While the demand for skilled trade professionals is expected to continue rising, many young people remain unaware of the career opportunities available through apprenticeships and vocational training.

How can we bridge this gap and make the trades a first-choice career path rather than a backup option?

Welcome to Just Thinking. In this episode, host Kevin Dougherty sits down with Josh Nieves, the Principal and CEO of Ascender Consulting, Founder of This Hudson Farm, and Regional Workforce Development Lead at Miller Electric. They discuss how education, industry partnerships, and company culture can transform workforce readiness and help create a strong pipeline of skilled trade professionals.

The main topics of conversation…

• Attracting Talent: Why early exposure to trade careers is critical and how schools can help shift perceptions about vocational education.
• Training and Development: The role of mentorship, hands-on learning, and leadership training in shaping a resilient workforce.
• Retention Strategies: How companies can build loyalty through culture, career growth opportunities, and competitive benefits.

Josh Nieves is a seasoned workforce development leader, master electrician, and business strategist with extensive experience in the construction and electrical industries. He specializes in talent development, leadership training, and strategic workforce planning for the skilled trades. With a background in managing large-scale projects—including the Brooklyn bridge restoration, LaGuardia airport redevelopment, and Google headquarters—Josh is dedicated to elevating construction professionals through education, mentorship, and career transformation.