How to Build a Better Apprenticeship with Tom Keena
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 short
- Balancing electrical theory, code instruction, and hands-on training
- What contractors expect from new apprentices
- The difference between union and non-union pathways
- How students without industry connections can get started
- Using pre-apprenticeship classes to prove readiness
- Why volunteering and relevant work experience matter
- Building an effective industry advisory board
- Finding qualified trades instructors
- Developing and continuously improving curriculum
- Using Canvas and short instructional videos
- Encouraging students to teach and network with one another
- Why trades programs need both funding and dedicated space
- The financial opportunities available in the skilled trades
Tom 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.
Chapters
- (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 closing
Chapters
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 closing
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 closing
Episode Excerpt
Tom 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 Description
Electrical 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.
