In this powerful episode of The Trades Podcast, hosts Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres sit down with Cliff Brooks, Co-Owner of Pest In Class®, a company redefining professional development in the pest control industry.

Cliff shares how Pest In Class is bridging the gap between education and real-world application—empowering technicians, company owners, and service leaders to reach new levels of excellence. From modernizing training programs to embracing digital learning platforms, Cliff explains how raising standards can attract better talent, improve retention, and boost long-term customer trust.

Listeners will walk away with inspiration and tangible insights about leadership, training culture, and how continuous education drives both individual growth and industry advancement.

Whether you’re in pest management, facility maintenance, or any skilled trade, this conversation will remind you that when you invest in people, you elevate the profession.

The vision behind Pest In Class® and its mission to professionalize pest control training.

How technology-driven learning can simplify onboarding and career advancement.

Why investing in technician education increases retention and customer satisfaction.

The importance of leadership in shaping culture and service standards.

How digital tools make technical learning accessible, practical, and scalable.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Pesting Class Exterminating

02:43 Quality Over Competition in Pest Control

06:04 The Importance of Trades Education

10:38 Navigating the College vs. Trades Debate

14:08 The Current Job Market and Trade Opportunities

18:36 Pesting Class's Service Area and Customer Base

19:48 Understanding Common Pests

25:26 Integrated Pest Management Strategies

29:58 The Utility of Pest Control Services

33:55 Building Trust Through Quality Inspections

39:20 Innovative Pest Control Solutions

44:50 Personal Experiences in Pest Control

49:55 Customer-Centric Business Model

55:23 Engaging Customers with Pet Safety

In this episode of The Trades Podcast, hosts Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres interview Dan Clapper, Commercial HVAC and Facility Maintenance Expert at Interplay Learning, to uncover how digital innovation is transforming education in the skilled trades.

Dan discusses how Interplay Learning is empowering tradespeople and companies with 3D simulation and virtual reality (VR) training that bridges the gap between theory and hands-on experience. The platform helps organizations train employees faster, increase safety awareness, and improve retention rates by delivering practical, repeatable training scenarios anytime, anywhere.

The conversation covers the growing need for accessible trades education, the challenges of recruiting and developing skilled workers, and how technology can make technical learning engaging and effective for all skill levels. Dan also shares real success stories from companies leveraging Interplay Learning to upskill their workforce and build stronger, more confident teams.

Whether you’re an HVAC professional, facility maintenance manager, or business owner looking to modernize your training approach, this episode will show how innovation is driving progress in the trades industry.

In this episode of The Trades Podcast, hosts Jeff Mudd and Danny Torres welcome Erin Izen, Executive Director of The Home Depot Foundation®, for an uplifting conversation about service, opportunity, and the power of skilled trades to transform communities.

Erin shares how The Home Depot Foundation® is helping address the skilled labor shortage through its Path to Pro™ program, which provides free training, scholarships, and career resources to help individuals build meaningful careers in the trades. From supporting U.S. military veterans to empowering young people through partnerships with organizations such as Boys and Girls Clubs of America®, Erin highlights how strategic investment and community collaboration can open doors to lifelong careers and generational stability.

This episode is a reminder that building futures is not just about tools and materials. It is about lifting people up, restoring purpose, and creating pathways to prosperity through skilled work. If you believe in strengthening your workforce, supporting your community, or inspiring the next generation of trades professionals, this is an episode worth sharing.

• The Home Depot Foundation® — https://HomeDepotFoundation.org
• Path to Pro™ — https://www.pathtopro.com/
• Veteran Support Programs — https://corporate.homedepot.com/page/veteran-housing-grants

• Nearly $600 million invested in veteran causes and skilled trades initiatives
• 400,000+ open skilled trade jobs nationwide
• How Path to Pro™ prepares the next generation of tradespeople
• Partnering with Boys and Girls Clubs of America® to inspire youth early
• Why community engagement and workforce development go hand in hand

If you believe in empowering the trades, building stronger communities, and creating pathways to prosperity, share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Trades Podcast

01:23 Meet Erin Izen and Home Depot Foundation

03:15 Home Depot's Commitment to Veterans and Community

10:52 The Path to Pro: Addressing the Skilled Labor Gap

21:30 Engaging Youth and Parents in Skilled Trades

27:31 Diverse Pathways into the Trades

28:16 Investing in Youth: Path to Pro Updates

29:30 Focus on Key Trade Skills

32:37 Challenges in Trade Education

34:34 Community Engagement and Support

37:01 Addressing the Skilled Trades Shortage

38:37 Empowering Future Generations

40:00 Innovative Approaches to Trade Training

42:53 Influencing Young Minds

46:16 Partnerships with Boys and Girls Club

48:46 Creating Generational Wealth through Trades