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MarketScale

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Building a Skilled Trades Workforce: Certifications, Simulation-Based Training & Reskilling with SkillCat

Greg Crumpton
March 31, 2025
Greg Crumpton
labor shortage
Ruchir Shah
SkillCat
+more

 

Industries across the United States are facing an unprecedented shortage of a skilled trades workforce. With millions of baby boomers retiring and fewer young people entering the trades, sectors like HVAC, manufacturing, and construction are grappling with a critical need for talent. This labor shortage is further compounded by a lack of awareness and accessible pathways into the trades. So, what’s the solution? Enter SkillCat, a platform revolutionizing how workers are trained and placed in the trades industry.

How do we bridge the gap between aspiring workers and the skilled trades jobs that are ready and waiting for them?

On this episode of Straight Outta Crumpton, host Greg Crumpton sits down with Ruchir Shah, the CEO of SkillCat, to explore how the platform is empowering workers through innovative training and recruitment. Together, they discuss the challenges of entering the skilled trades workforce, the power of reskilling, and why the skilled trades offer more rewarding careers than many traditional desk jobs.

The episode delves into…

  • SkillCat’s Innovative Approach: With over 1,500 hours of simulation-based training and certifications in fields like HVAC and plumbing, SkillCat offers a flexible, affordable pathway for people to enter the trades.
  • Addressing Awareness and Access Barriers: The platform combines online and hands-on training, creating partnerships with local contractors to provide real-world experience for users.
  • Why Skilled Trades Matter: Shah emphasizes the emotional and financial rewards of trades jobs, dispelling misconceptions and highlighting their crucial role in society.

Ruchir Shah is a four-time entrepreneur and the CEO of SkillCat, a leading online training platform that has certified over 300,000 skilled tradespeople in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and appliance repair. Accredited by NATE, the EPA, and IACET, SkillCat is highly rated for its simulation-based training solutions tailored to address workforce gaps in the skilled trades industry. Previously, Shah founded LearnToDrill, training over 25,000 oil and gas workers to improve safety, and spearheaded innovative ventures using AI and educational media.

Article written by MarketScale.

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