More Than Work: Kasey Wade and Craft Professionals Build a Legacy That Lasts
When Kasey Wade left the military, he wasn’t sure what was next. It was a sudden end to a life he had dedicated himself to, forced into retirement by injury. “I was in a very dark spot,” he recalls. “I felt lost, confused, like everything I trained for was taken away.”
But even in that uncertainty, Wade refused to be defeated. Instead, he took the discipline, leadership and resilience he’d honed in the military and brought it into a career in construction.
He started with small residential projects. What began as simple jobs installing receptacles eventually led to complex work with robotics in welding.
“Now one of the things I’m doing is working with the green movement, trying to redesign HVAC units for better electrical efficiency for a company that makes vehicles,” he says. “You know, I never knew that I would be doing some of the crazy things that I’ve been able to do just by trying.”
Today, he is an NCCER master trainer, guiding the next generation of construction professionals and proving that determination and hard work can build skills and meaningful careers that impact far more than the individual.
And Wade is not just part of building infrastructure—he and his colleagues are building a legacy.
“We’re in a new industrial revolution, rebuilding America’s backbone,” he says “My daughter watches what I do every day, and when she points to the things I’ve built and says, ‘My daddy built that.’ It’s the greatest feeling in the world. Those things will be here long after I’m gone.”
What’s next for Wade? Well, he sees an exciting future for the construction training industry. He champions digital learning as a next-era game changer.
“Technology isn’t just a tool; it’s a lifeline,” he says. “Digital platforms break down barriers, giving people the power to learn on their own time, at their own pace, wherever they are.”
He sees a future where apprenticeships and certifications are seamlessly integrated with cutting-edge technology, creating skilled workers ready for whatever challenges come next.
And his message to anyone who wants to be a part of those challenges but is nervous to try the industry?
“Greatness is waiting for you. Don’t let fear hold you back. Step outside, show the world what you’re made of and build a future you can be proud of.”
Want to attract great talent? Starting or strengthening your apprenticeship programs is a good place to start. NCCER has the resources to help.