The Importance of Skilled Trades: A Conversation with Drew Anderson

The Importance of Skilled Trades: A Conversation with Drew Anderson

Author: Dan Hansen/RepcoLite Paints May 24, 2025 Duration: 46:39

In this episode of the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show, sponsored by Benjamin Moore, host Dan Hansen discusses the significance of skilled trades with Drew Anderson from Harmel Academy of the Trades.

They delve into the reasons behind Drew's passion for the trades, the current shortage of skilled workers, and the misconceptions that trade jobs are less valuable than a college education.

The conversation covers the personal and societal importance of working with one's hands, the value of failing and learning, and the deeper spiritual meaning associated with trades. Drew also highlights the unique approach of Hormel Academy in forming young men into skilled tradesmen and the exciting future prospects for the industry. If you're considering a career in trades or want to understand their broader impact, this episode offers valuable insights.

LINKS: Harmel Academy

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:03 The Importance of Skilled Trades

00:47 Personal Connection to Trades

01:25 The Crisis in Trades and Character

03:06 The Shortage in Skilled Trades

04:22 Changing Perceptions of Trades

09:56 The Dignity of Work

20:11 Encouraging Young People to Explore Trades

23:05 A Surprising Survey on Basic Skills

24:38 Learning Through DIY Repairs

25:58 The Importance of Teaching Kids Practical Skills

27:16 Parenting Challenges and Letting Kids Help

28:16 The Value of Work and Household Chores

28:57 Introducing Harel Academy

29:08 Embracing Failure as a Learning Opportunity

35:22 Connecting with Others to Learn Trades

39:28 The Future of Trades and Manufacturing

42:22 Exciting Developments at Harel Academy


Home In Progress is a weekly conversation hosted by Dan Hansen from RepcoLite Paints, born from the belief that a home is never truly finished. It’s a constant, often charming, series of projects and adjustments. This podcast digs into that reality, covering everything from choosing the right paint sheen and troubleshooting a stubborn plumbing issue to planning a garden layout or refreshing a room with a new design perspective. The tone is practical and approachable, blending useful advice with a genuine sense of humor about the inevitable mishaps that come with DIY. You’ll hear specific tips on materials and techniques, discussions on balancing aesthetics with function, and honest talk about what it really takes to maintain and improve your space. Each episode aims to leave you with a tangible takeaway, whether it’s the confidence to tackle a small repair or inspiration for a larger weekend project. It’s for anyone who views their home as a living project-a place of leisure, creativity, and continuous learning. Listen for a mix of straightforward education and relatable stories that make the process of caring for a house feel less like a chore and more like a rewarding part of life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Home In Progress
Podcast Episodes
5 Can't-Lose Home Improvement Projects for Your Forever Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:54
Episode SummaryThis week on Home In Progress, Dan opens with something a little different -- a look at the animal kingdom's most surprising builders and tool users, and what any of us can take from that. Then he gets int…
Dead Animal Smells, Art Deco, and the Secret Life of Paint Finish [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:15
Episode Date: 05/09/26 Episode Number: 458Episode SummaryThis week on Home In Progress, Dan tackles one of the most dreaded things a homeowner can face — the smell of a dead animal somewhere in the house — and walks you…
Household Odor Removal Tips and the Timeless Style of Art Deco [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:08
In this episode of Home in Progress, Dan Hansen starts with a look at why smells have such a powerful effect on the way we experience a home. Unlike sights and sounds, odors connect quickly to the emotional and memory ce…
Do Air Ducts Really Cause Dust? Plus Painting Tips from the Pros [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:08
In this rerun episode of Home in Progress, sponsored by RepcoLite Paints and Benjamin Moore, Dan Hansen opens with a personal update about his golden retriever, Maggie, whose health emergency led to a change in this week…
Why Your House Gets Dusty So Fast and How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:14
In this best-of episode of Home in Progress by RepcoLite Paints, sponsored by Benjamin Moore, Dan Hansen covers two popular home improvement topics: how to reduce dust in your house and how to paint kitchen cabinets. In…
How Timing, Paint Quality, and Design Choices Change Your Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:14
Host Dan Hansen opens the episode by noting a technical mistake in the original on-air broadcast, which led to the spring painting segment being repeated—then leans into it with a quick apology and a story about how cont…