{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"FourMan Podcast","title":"The Shop Class Showdown: How Shop Teachers Are Getting Industry to Invest in Students","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1755,"description":"This special episode of the FourMan Podcast brings together shop teachers from across the country to recap the first-ever Shop Class Showdown — a friendly competition that started as a joke and turned into something much bigger.\nNoah is joined by Gregg Helmich, Josh Jacobs, and Bobby Miller to talk about how teachers are building industry partnerships, bringing tools and materials into their classrooms, and creating real opportunities for students.\nFrom trade shows like IBS, IWF, JLC, and World of Concrete, to advisory boards, playhouse competitions, social media, and direct outreach, this conversation is all about one question:\nHow do we get more companies connected to the next generation of builders, makers, and tradespeople?\nGregg shares how he brought in over $100,000 for his program and why gratitude matters whether the donation is $10 or $25,000. Josh talks about the power of simply asking companies for support and how student-built projects can lead directly to internships. Bobby shares how industry partnerships helped grow his program and why companies should care about what is happening inside shop classrooms.\nWhat started as a competition turned into a bigger reminder: when industry supports shop class, students win.\nShow Notes\nIn this special episode, we talk about:\nHow the Shop Class Showdown started as a joke and became a real movement\nWhy shop teachers need industry partners, not just classroom budgets\nGregg Helmich bringing in over $100,000 in support for his program\nThe importance of gratitude when building long-term partnerships\nWhy tool companies should care about the first tools students use\nHow social media helps shop teachers connect with brands, contractors, and other educators\nWhat Josh Jacobs learned from watching another teacher ask companies directly for support\nWhy trade shows like IBS, JLC, IWF, and World of Concrete matter for shop teachers\nBobby Miller’s experience building industry support in cabinetry and woodworking\nHow advisory...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/Rh5qNgqRfD2egFjiwMW7f5AB2p1NSKvJkx6OteRUo3I/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8yZDE3/OWU2MDQyMDhmYTUz/NTUwZDU1N2Q5ZmU2/MDYzNS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}