From Silicon Valley to Skilled Trades: How Andrew Wilkinson Is Modernizing Property Maintenance Training

Episode Summary: In this episode of Work Order Nation, co-hosts Sherrod Hunter and Fred Tomlin Jr. sit down with Andrew Wilkinson, Executive Director of National Trade Tech, to explore how modern trade education is helping property management companies train, certify, and develop skilled maintenance professionals. Andrew shares his journey from growing up in the Washington, DC area and building a career in Silicon Valley, including time at Microsoft, to launching National Trade Tech. What began as an online HVAC training program expanded into appliance repair and facilities maintenance training after property management companies began turning to National Trade Tech to help develop their maintenance teams. The conversation explores how National Trade Tech combines on-demand online training, industry certifications, mobile learning, and virtual reality simulations to give technicians practical resources they can access when they need them. Andrew explains how the platform can help technicians strengthen skills across plumbing, electrical, HVAC, appliance repair, and general maintenance while supplementing digital training with hands-on experience. Andrew also discusses common challenges property management companies face, including certification requirements, uneven skill levels among technicians, training logistics, and the cost of traditional trade education. He shares how National Trade Tech's per-technician model and flexible, asynchronous training are designed to make professional development more accessible for both employers and individual tradespeople. The episode also features a Work Order Wow involving a property management company that had to replace underperforming maintenance technicians and bring in new team members. After using National Trade Tech to train and certify the new technicians, the company was able to reduce its reliance on expensive outside service providers and save on maintenance costs. Looking ahead, Andrew shares National Trade Tech's goal of expanding into all 50 states and making modern trade education more accessible to property maintenance professionals nationwide. Key Takeaways: How Andrew transitioned from Silicon Valley technology companies to skilled-trades education Why property management companies are turning to modern training solutions for maintenance teams How virtual reality and mobile learning can supplement hands-on maintenance training The importance of certifications and compliance for property maintenance professionals How on-demand training can help technicians build skills without leaving their jobs Why flexible, per-technician training can make workforce development easier for employers How better-trained maintenance teams can reduce reliance on expensive outside contractors National Trade Tech's goal of expanding its training reach across all 50 states Golden Nugget: “Hands-on is never going away.” Connect with Andrew Wilkinson: Website: National Trade Tech Listen Now & Subscribe: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. Listen and subscribe here: https://work-order-nation.captivate.fm/listen Work Order Nation is the podcast for property managers who care, sharing real stories, leadership lessons, and on-the-ground insights from the multifamily industry.