Commercial Grade

Trades Careers, Wages, and AI: Martin King on Attracting Talent in a Changing Industry

In this episode of Commercial Grade, host RC Victorino sits down with Martin King—HVAC veteran, entrepreneur, and founder of Legacy Chiller Systems, J&M Fluidics, and Skilled Trades Rescue—to unpack decades of experience building, scaling, and evolving in the trades. Martin shares how he entered the HVAC industry through technical training and a union apprenticeship, eventually growing his own company from a single van into a 30+ truck operation before selling. He opens up about the realities of business ownership—from early hiring mistakes to the “cold sweats” of making payroll—and how growth introduces new layers of complexity that many owners underestimate. A turning point in Martin’s career came from a single customer request that led him into process chillers and ultimately the creation of Legacy Chiller Systems. From there, the conversation expands into today’s biggest challenges in the trades, including labor shortages, rising wages, technician mobility, and the shifting expectations of the modern workforce. Martin also discusses his mission through Skilled Trades Rescue, where he supports professionals, business owners, career explorers, and parents by providing guidance on financial literacy, career pathways, and starting a business in the trades. Finally, RC and Martin explore the growing role of AI in the industry—why it will enhance productivity rather than replace skilled labor in the near term, and what tradespeople should be doing now to stay ahead. In this episode you’ll hear: • How Martin scaled an HVAC business from 1 van to 30+ trucks • The biggest mistakes new trade business owners make • Why growth creates operational chaos (and how to manage it) • The real reason behind today’s labor shortages • How rising wages and technician mobility are reshaping the industry • What Skilled Trades Rescue is doing to support the workforce • Why financial literacy is critical for tradespeople • How AI will impact (but not replace) skilled labor EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Cold Sweats Mindset: Grit and Resilience in the Trades (00:14) Meet Martin King: HVAC Entrepreneur and Founder of King Air (01:38) From Tech School to the Union: Entering the Skilled Trades (02:26) Starting King Air: Building an HVAC Business from Scratch (03:00) The Accidental Chiller Breakthrough That Changed Everything (06:54) Lessons From Dad: Work Ethic, Leadership, and Early Influence (09:29) Hiring Challenges and Backlog Cycles in HVAC (12:36) Growth Tiers: Scaling a Business Without Chaos (14:09) Labor Market Shifts: Why Hiring in the Trades Is Changing (18:03) The Skilled Trades Talent Shortage—and How to Fix It (20:13) Money, Margins, and Business Coaching for Contractors (23:54) College vs. Trades: What Parents Should Know (26:02) AI and the Future of Skilled Trades (29:18) What Makes a Superstar HVAC Technician (34:28) How to Attract and Retain Top Trade Talent (37:28) Lightning Round: Quick Takes and Advice (39:08) Wrap-Up and Where to Connect   ABOUT THE GUEST: Martin King is an HVAC veteran, entrepreneur, and industry advocate with decades of experience in the skilled trades. He is the founder of Legacy Chiller Systems, J&M Fluidics, and Skilled Trades Rescue. After starting his career through technical training and a union apprenticeship, Martin built and scaled a successful HVAC company from a single van to a 30+ truck operation before exiting. Today, he focuses on supporting the next generation of tradespeople through coaching, workforce development, and education initiatives aimed at improving retention, financial literacy, and career pathways in the trades. LINKS & RESOURCES: • Martin King on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinpking/] • Skilled Trades Rescue [https://open.spotify.com/show/4vDY7X5wc9Kcctw0jrUivp] • Legacy Chiller Systems [https://www.legacychillers.com/] • Learn more at BuildOps.com [https://buildops.com/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Building HVAC Leaders: Curtis Perry Jr. on Service, Training, and the Trades

In this episode of Commercial Grade, host RC Victorino sits down with Curtis Perry Jr., an HVAC Service Technician, last year’s Above and Beyond Award winner, for a conversation about service, leadership, and what it really takes to grow in the trades. Curtis shares how his path started with trade electives in high school, then took shape after a message at church inspired him to learn something hands-on. He initially considered appliance repair, but once he got exposure to HVAC, it clicked—and he’s been building his career ever since. RC and Curtis talk about the realities of learning in the field, including the challenge of on-the-job training when certain equipment only shows up once in a while. Curtis explains why experience under pressure matters, how repetition builds confidence, and how he developed into a service team lead who helps bridge the gap between technicians and the office. They also dig into what leadership really means in the trades: being available, caring about your people, investing in training, and helping others improve instead of just expecting results. Curtis explains why “above and beyond” service means going deeper than surface-level checks—it means doing the thorough diagnostic work, understanding the full problem, and earning trust with customers and coworkers alike. The conversation also explores how the industry can attract more young people through career fairs, social media, and jobsite exposure, along with why the trades aren’t for everyone—and why honesty matters. Curtis also challenges old assumptions about trade careers, especially when it comes to pay, growth, and long-term opportunity. In this episode, you’ll hear: • How Curtis found his path into HVAC • Why hands-on training matters more than theory alone • The learning gaps that come with real field experience • What great leadership looks like in service work • Why “above and beyond” starts with better diagnostics • How to attract more young people to the trades • What people still get wrong about HVAC careers Episode Timestamps: (00:00) Welcome and guest intro (00:52) Curtis’s trade origin story (02:41) Why HVAC won out (05:55) Learning on the job (08:52) Becoming a service team lead (10:52) Defining great leadership (13:24) The Above and Beyond Award (17:44) Service mindset and caring for people (19:00) Attracting new talent to the trades (23:29) The reality of the work (27:03) Lightning round (32:39) Final thoughts and wrap About the Guest: Curtis Perry Jr. is an HVAC professional and service team lead based in Columbia, South Carolina. Recognized as last year’s Above and Beyond Award winner by his emplyer, Curtis is known for his commitment to doing the job right, supporting fellow technicians, and leading with care. His career began with trade electives in high school and has grown through hands-on experience, technical development, and a strong service mindset. Today, he helps bridge the gap between the field and the office while mentoring others and advocating for more young people to explore the opportunities available in the trades. Links & Resources: • Curtis Perry Jr. on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-perry-jr-967aba213/] •  RC Victorino on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rcvictorino/] • Learn more at BuildOps.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Building Builders: Wilson Matthew Betances on Fixing Trade Culture

In this episode of Commercial Grade, host RC Victorino sits down with Wilson Matthew Betances, owner of Energize Us and founder of Energize Us EDU, to break down what’s really holding the skilled trades back—and how to fix it at the cultural level. Wilson shares why he intentionally took on three different roles in the electrical trade—contractor, inspector, and educator—to understand the entire system and protect himself from the physical demands that burn so many people out. He explains why earning an electrical license is the single biggest unlock in the industry, and why so few apprentices make it there. RC and Wilson dig into the hard truth: the real crisis isn’t recruiting new people, it’s losing the ones we already have. Wilson details how outdated leadership styles, ego-driven inspections, inconsistent interpretations of electrical code, and a punishing jobsite culture push workers out long before they become experts. They also explore how Energize Us EDU is redefining training with soft skills, leadership development, digital tools, and fast-growing content designed to surface pain points and guide people toward classes, events, and career pathways. In this episode you’ll hear: • Why trade culture—not talent—is the biggest barrier • The licensing bottleneck and why it derails so many apprentices • How inspection culture creates unnecessary cost and conflict • Why retention is the real workforce crisis • The generational gaps shaping leadership and expectations • How content, storytelling, and digital tools attract new tradespeople • Why Energize Us EDU focuses on “building builders and leaders” Episode Timestamps: (00:00) Trades Change Lives (00:32) Meet Wilson Matthew Betances (01:19) Fast‑Track Credentials (04:40) Sacrifice and Strategy (07:24) Code Over Ego (08:57) Challenging Bad Inspections (12:20) Why He Chose the Trades (16:00) Falling for Electrical (17:49) Retention, Not Shortage (20:30) Fixing Trade Culture (23:55) Generational Leadership Cycle (24:43) Waves of Opportunity (26:01) Breaking Construction Status Quo (26:46) Why He Creates Content (27:24) Industry Pain Points and Inspectors (29:18) Content Strategy and Viral Topics (32:08) Analytics Wins and Building a Team (34:10) Energize Us EDU Mission (35:44) Recruiting Trades in the Digital Age (38:30) Authenticity and Setting Expectations (40:51) Lightning Round + AI Workflow (44:15) Misconceptions and the Future of the Trades (47:06) Where to Find Energize Us About the Guest: Wilson Matthew Betances is the owner of Energize Us and founder of Energize Us EDU, organizations dedicated to modernizing the skilled trades through apprenticeship training, soft skills, leadership development, and content-driven education. With experience as a contractor, inspector, and educator, Wilson has a 360° view of the electrical industry. His mission is to transform trade culture, improve retention, and “build builders and leaders” for the next generation. Links & Resources: • Wilson Matthew Betances on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/energizeus/] • RC Victorino on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rcvictorino/] • Energize Us EDU [https://energizeus-edu.today/] • Learn more at BuildOps.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Passing the Torch: Manja Horner on Training the Next Generation Faster

In this episode of Commercial Grade, host RC Victorino sits down with Manja Horner, founder and CEO of Boost ld and author of the upcoming book Pass the Torch. With a background that spans historic restoration, music education, homeschooling, and corporate training, Manja brings a unique perspective to the workforce crisis unfolding across the trades. Manja shares early memories from her father’s all‑girls restoration crew and how witnessing poor restoration work later in life pushed her to focus on training systems that actually work. She breaks down why skilled labor shortages continue to worsen, how tribal knowledge is disappearing as older workers retire, and why structured “skill stacking” and multi‑year onboarding pathways are essential for accelerating competency. RC and Manja explore why employers struggle to run effective apprenticeship programs, why younger owners tend to embrace digital tools and systematic training, and how improved career roadmaps can boost both retention and productivity. They also discuss AI’s potential impact on workforce development, the need for early exposure to shop class and hands‑on learning, and the urgency of documenting decades of craftsmanship before it’s too late. In this episode you’ll hear: • Why the trades are losing tribal knowledge faster than it’s being replaced • How Manja’s journey from violin teacher to CEO shaped her approach to training • What “skill stacking” looks like in real workforce programs • Why structured roadmaps dramatically improve retention • What Gen Z really wants from employers • How AI will shift both training and the trades workforce • Why craftsmanship must be intentionally preserved • How to rebuild the shop‑class pipeline for the next generation Episode Timestamps: (00:00) Skilled Trades Industry Wake‑Up (00:18) Meet Manja Horner (01:09) All‑Girls Restoration Crew (03:20) Craftsmanship, Heritage, and Early Influence (04:57) Music Background and Teaching Roots (07:24) Homeschooling and Mentorship (09:53) Early Digital Shift with QuickBooks (11:14) From Corporate Training to CEO (13:32) The Brick‑Dust Turning Point (15:27) Skill Stacking to Close Workforce Gaps (20:55) Making Training Real on the Job (22:41) Training Roadmaps that Boost Retention (24:34) Career Pathways that Keep People in the Trades (25:26) What Gen Z Wants from Employers (26:42) Apprenticeship Challenges for Employers (28:18) AI and Workforce Transformation (30:06) Pass the Torch — Book Preview (32:28) Capturing Tribal Knowledge (33:51) Attracting the Next Generation (34:42) Rebuilding the Shop‑Class Pipeline (39:10) Incentives, Stigma, and Youth Exposure (40:45) Repair and Restoration Skills (41:39) Lightning Round and Wrap‑Up About the Guest: Manja Horner is the founder and CEO of Boost ld, an Ontario‑based company specializing in HR, skills development, and training for the skilled trades. Her career has spanned historic restoration, music education, homeschooling, and corporate training — giving her a unique lens on how people learn and how craftsmanship is transferred between generations. Manja is the author of the upcoming book Pass the Torch, which explores solutions to the skilled labor shortage, including structured onboarding, skill stacking, and capturing tribal knowledge before it disappears. She works with trade businesses across North America to modernize workforce development and build training that is faster, clearer, and more effective. Links & Resources: RC’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rcvictorino/] Manja Horner on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/manja-horner/] Pass the Torch [https://www.boostld.com/pass-the-torch-book] Learn more about Boost ld [https://www.boostld.com/] Learn more at BuildOps.com [http://buildops.com] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Trades Need the Next Generation: Brooke Laing & Eric Hyatt on Stepping In

In this episode of Commercial Grade, host R.C. Victorino sits down with Toronto-based steamfitting apprentices Brooke Laing and Eric Hyatt to talk about labor shortages, apprenticeship life, and what’s really happening on job sites today. With estimates that 55,000 plumbing apprentices are needed over the next three years to replace retiring workers, Brooke and Eric explain why the labor shortage conversation is often glossed over—and how some union halls may be limiting intake based on short-term work instead of long-term workforce planning. They share their individual paths into the trades—Brooke’s transition from nursing to welding to union steamfitting, and Eric’s early decision in high school to pursue plumbing before switching unions. They discuss job security, rising wages, benefits, and why strong health coverage matters—especially for Brooke as a type 1 diabetic working in physically demanding environments. The conversation also tackles mentorship gaps, apprenticeship realities, and the generational divide around women in the trades. Brooke speaks candidly about both supportive colleagues and experiences with harassment, while highlighting the continued culture shift happening across the industry. They also discuss Sisterhood of the Trades, a growing global community supporting women entering skilled labor, and their own podcast, Two Bolts Short of a Flange, which shares raw, unfiltered apprentice experiences from the field. This episode is a grounded look at what it takes to enter, survive, and improve the modern trades workforce.   EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Trades Are Booming: The Apprentice Shortage & Rising Wages (00:22) Welcome + Meet Brooke Laing & Eric Hyatt (01:17) Brooke’s Path: Nursing to Welding to Steamfitting (02:04) Eric’s Path: Plumbing to Union Steamfitting (04:48) Benefits & Job Security in the Trades (06:43) The Labor Gap Nobody Talks About (09:42) Union Intake Bottlenecks vs Retirement Planning (11:04) What Apprenticeship Is Really Like (13:08) Mentor Training & Apprentice Ratios (16:15) Women in the Trades: Bias & Generational Shifts (19:35) Cultural Change on Job Sites (21:35) Sisterhood of the Trades: A Global Support Network (24:13) Addressing Hazing, Bias & Trade-Wide Issues (25:35) Launching Two Bolts Short of a Flange (28:39) Social Media, Visibility & Mentorship (32:27) Type 1 Diabetes on the Job Site (36:03) Lightning Round: Tools, Favorite Builds & Trade Myths About the Guests: Brooke Laing and Eric Hyatt are Toronto-based union steamfitting apprentices and co-hosts of the podcast Two Bolts Short of a Flange. Brooke transitioned from nursing to welding before entering union steamfitting, bringing firsthand insight into navigating the trades as a woman and managing type 1 diabetes on job sites. Eric chose the trades in high school, beginning in plumbing before switching to union steamfitting. Together, they advocate for apprenticeship reform, better workforce planning, and transparency around labor shortages in the skilled trades. LINKS & RESOURCES: RC’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rcvictorino/] Brooke Laing on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-laing-59397a295/] Eric Hyatt on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-hyatt-b5b977352/] Two Bolts Short of a Flange Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR8gtC4PhQVVwoyMMDX9NCA] Learn more at BuildOps.com [https://buildops.com/] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.