Show Information
Episode Number: 146
Date: May 04, 2026
Duration: 30:16
Host Contact Information
Host: Justin Deese
Website: JustinDeese.com
Contact: podcast@JustinDeese.com
Guest Contact Information
Guest: Spencer Pope
Company: Bradford White
Guest Website: https://forthepro.bradfordwhite.com/
Gift to listeners: Free training resources, live support, and access to the For The Pro App
Summary
In this episode of the Freedom Blueprint Podcast, Justin Deese sits down with Spencer Pope, Manager of Technical Support and Training at Bradford White, to unpack one of the biggest challenges facing the trades today: the growing plumber shortage.
With a projected gap of 500,000 plumbers by 2027 and an aging workforce, Spencer shares what this means for contractors—and more importantly, what to do about it. From hands-on training at Bradford White’s ITEC facility to the shift away from traditional on-the-job training, this conversation highlights how businesses must rethink hiring, training, and retention.
They also dive into culture and leadership, exploring why Spencer has stayed at one company for over 15 years and how a simple mindset shift—investing in your team’s long-term success—can dramatically improve retention. If you’re serious about building a stronger, more resilient team, this episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately.
Takeaways
- The plumber shortage is accelerating, with a projected 500,000 gap by 2027
- Hire for soft skills and train for technical ability
- Traditional on-the-job training is no longer enough on its own
- Hands-on, focused training dramatically improves technician performance
- Investing in your team’s growth increases retention—not turnover
- Strong company culture is a key driver of long-term employee loyalty
- Empowering employees to contribute ideas strengthens engagement
- Training ROI shows up in confidence, speed, and customer experience
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome & Spencer’s Background
03:12 – Why He Stayed 15+ Years at One Company
05:58 – Inside Bradford White’s Training Programs
08:33 – The Value of Hands-On Lab Training
10:04 – Why New Talent Isn’t Entering the Trades
11:39 – The 500,000 Plumber Shortage Explained
13:07 – Soft Skills vs. Mechanical Skills
14:43 – Why OJT Alone Falls Short
17:00 – Training Philosophy & Industry Impact
18:14 – Training Length & ROI for Contractors
22:43 – The #1 Culture Tip for Retention
26:35 – The Shift in Today’s Workforce
27:29 – How to Connect with Bradford White
Keywords
#FreedomBlueprintPodcast #JustinDeese #SpencerPope #BradfordWhite #PlumbingIndustry #SkilledTrades #LaborShortage #WorkforceDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #CompanyCulture #HiringStrategy #EmployeeRetention #TrainingAndDevelopment #ContractorLife #HVAC #PlumbingBusiness #ServiceBusiness #TradeTraining #BlueCollarBusiness