On this episode of the iBuild America Podcast, we sit down in Detroit, Michigan, with Keith Ledbetter, President and CEO of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan (ABC) and the Southeastern Michigan Construction Academy (SEMCA).

With nearly a decade of leadership in workforce development, Keith has been instrumental in creating pathways for students, career changers, and aspiring tradespeople to gain the skills, confidence, and certifications needed to literally build America.

From investing in training centers to inspiring young people to choose skilled trades, Keith’s work centers around one mission — empowering people to build meaningful, sustainable careers without needing a four-year degree.

In this episode, we dive into:

• How SEMCA is helping reshape the perception of trade careers

• The real ROI of hands-on training versus college debt

• The values, discipline, and “grit factor” it takes to thrive in construction

• The future of the workforce and why AI isn’t replacing skilled trades anytime soon

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone passionate about workforce development, education reform, or simply building a better America — one student, one skill, and one job at a time.

🎧 Tune in and be inspired to build something that lasts.

Connect with Keith below!

LinkedIn: Keith Ledbetter