What if a construction company were known first for who its people become, not only for what it builds?

In this People-First Builders episode, Fletcher Wimbush talks with Chad and Cory Kundert of Kundert Construction in Monroe, Wisconsin, about turning a job site into a launchpad for growth. They share how school partnerships and hands-on "Trades Day" experiences spark curiosity in students, how paid apprenticeships give teens a direct path into meaningful work, and how transparent pay ladders keep talent engaged from apprentice to foreman.

Inside the company, carpenters earn leadership reps on smaller projects, learn to make confident decisions through coaching, and receive consistent feedback that builds judgment. The result is a team that feels supported, customers who feel cared for, and a community that sees the trades as a respected, modern career.

You will hear practical tactics you can apply right away — how to co-create events with local educators, structure the first leadership opportunity so it succeeds, and use social media to make your company's values visible and magnetic to A-players.

What You'll Learn:

Clear career paths in the trades, from apprentice to foreman
Coaching questions that build ownership, not dependence
How to partner with schools to run hands-on career days
Realistic earnings ranges and timelines that rival college routes
Ways to give first leadership reps without risking the whole project
Why public values create internal accountability
How a supported crew delivers a better client experience

At Kundert Construction, building people is just as important as building homes. Chad and Cory prove that when leaders invest in growth, mentorship, and community, the ripple effects reach far beyond the job site. Their story is a blueprint for every contractor who believes the future of the trades depends on culture, education, and creating a place where people grow — not just work.

Culture and Leadership: The Path to Elevating the Trades