To help provide trade educators with access to professional development and other industrywide resources, IMW Group, a marketing and growth consultancy firm serving tradespeople, launched its inaugural Trade Teacher Summer Camp. The program brought educators from Colorado and Iowa to the Center for Applied Science and Technology at the Community College of Aurora in Aurora, Colo., for three days of free instruction designed to help them strengthen and grow skilled building trades programs when they return to their own communities.

During the three-day camp, educators received building science instruction as well as hands-on workshops designed to help them bring the concepts back to their classrooms. On the last day, educators also learned how to develop successful building trades education programs, with a workshop covering everything from curriculum building to student recruitment.

“Trade educators are shaping the future of an industry that is essential to a thriving economy, yet many lack the support needed to grow their programs,” said Charlotte Mustard, Founder and President of IMW Group, the organizing entity. “By giving teachers access to current building science practices, the camp helps that knowledge reach students earlier and move into the workforce faster, creating a stronger pipeline of skilled workers who understand how to build more efficiently and responsibly.”