Breaking the Stigma Around Skilled Trades

College isn’t the only path to success—and for many, it’s not the best one. In this episode of the Workforce Challenge podcast, Josh Law (CEO of Only Co.) sits down with Kenny McKillop of DRM and Jason Tystad of S&S Builders to talk about what it really takes to build a meaningful career in the trades.

Episode Highlights:

• Why today’s workforce favors speed and efficiency—and what that means for long-term careers
  
• The importance of failing forward: what we learn from mistakes, not success
  
• How ownership can be earned in the trades, regardless of your starting point
  
• The challenge of modern parenting and why it's influencing career direction
  
• What happens to society when there aren’t enough skilled workers to keep the lights on
  

“Without people like us, society doesn’t sustain. And those luxuries? They go away.” – Kenny McKillop

Special Thanks:

A big thank-you to the Wyoming Association of General Contractors (AGC) for sponsoring this conversation and supporting workforce development across the state.

Share This Episode:
Whether you’re a parent, educator, employer, or job seeker—this is a conversation worth having. Let’s reframe what success looks like in the modern workforce.