EP24: What Great Hiring Looks Like in the Trades with Ethan Bickley

<p>In this episode of <strong>Home Remodeler Toolbox</strong>, host Bob Vance sits down with <strong>Ethan Bickley</strong>, President and CEO of <strong>The Blue Collar Recruiter &amp; Virtual Trade School,</strong> to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing contractors today: finding, hiring, and keeping skilled tradespeople. Ethan shares how his background in the Army, private security, operations, and recruiting shaped his approach to helping blue-collar companies build stronger teams. </p><p><br /></p><p>Bob and Ethan dig into why so many home improvement companies struggle with hiring, from weak job posts and slow follow-up to unclear pay ranges, poor onboarding, and lack of consistent sourcing. Ethan explains why contractors need to move quickly when they find a strong candidate, how benefits and compensation affect recruiting, and why “hope is not a strategy” when it comes to building a labor pipeline.</p><p><br /></p><p>They also discuss the future of the trades, the renewed interest in trade careers, and Ethan’s virtual trade school designed to help train, vet, and place new workers in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, solar, and other skilled trades. The takeaway? If remodelers want to grow, take on more work, and protect their reputation, they need to treat hiring like a core business system—not something they only think about when they’re desperate.</p><p><br /></p><p>Chapters:</p><p><strong>00:00 — Welcome &amp; Introduction</strong><br />Bob welcomes Ethan Bickley of The Blue Collar Recruiter and introduces the conversation around recruiting in the trades.</p><p><strong>00:49 — Ethan’s Background: Army, Security &amp; Career Transition</strong><br />Ethan shares his path from the Army and private security into business, leadership, and recruiting.</p><p><strong>03:01 — Why Contractors Are Turning Down Work</strong><br />Bob and Ethan discuss how labor shortages are forcing companies to pass on jobs because they cannot staff them.</p><p><strong>04:30 — When Hiring Feels Impossible</strong><br />Ethan talks about contractors feeling stuck after trying job posts, pay changes, and other hiring tactics without success.</p><p><strong>05:52 — Why Niche Recruiting Matters</strong><br />They discuss the value of working with someone who understands the trades, the language, and the warning signs to look for.</p><p><strong>08:05 — What’s Missing in Hiring Systems</strong><br />Ethan breaks down common hiring mistakes, including weak job descriptions