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

Mentioned in this episode:

Homeservicehoorah.com