About this episode

Rob Vilches discusses the UA's Future Instructor Program and its impact on training the next generation of skilled trades instructors.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Rob Vilches, training specialist with the United Association (UA), live from the 2026 UA Instructor Training Program (ITP) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. With roughly 2,200 UA instructors on campus and over 400,000 members across the U.S. and Canada, the UA quietly runs one of the largest training operations in the skilled trades. Rob breaks down: • How the UA trains the trainers, turning field technicians into skilled classroom instructors • How the Future Instructor Program identifies and develops leadership potential in fourth- and fifth-year apprentices • Why so many technicians are already "teaching" without realizing it • The culture shift within the trades toward treating apprentices with respect and long-term vision • The UA's Pipe Pals initiative, tackling mental health and suicide prevention head-on with peer support Rob shares personal insight into how the UA is reshaping its culture from the ground up. He emphasizes that great instructors and a healthier industry start with recognizing the mentors already among us. Whether you're a technician who's never thought of yourself as a teacher or an industry leader looking to build a…

People in this episode

Guest: Rob Vilches

Topics covered

• teacher training
• skilled trades
• leadership development
• mental health
• apprenticeship
• education

Keywords

• HVAC
• skilled trades
• instructors
• apprentices
• mental health
• leadership
• training

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: United Association, UA Instructor Training Program, UA, Pipe Pals

Places: Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S., Canada

More episodes of Did You Know?-The ESCO HVAC Podcast

• Bridging the Generational Gap: The Future Instructors Program · August 24, 2026 · 34 min
• Building the Next Generation of HVAC Techs: Inside Delcastle Technical High School · July 31, 2026 · 30 min
• Beyond the Classroom: What SkillsUSA Reveals About the Next Generation of HVAC Technicians · July 24, 2026 · 26 min

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