Stop Handing Kids a Broom: Harvey Jesso on Building the Next Generation of Tradespeople Short Episode Description In this episode of the Four Man Podcast, we sit down with Harvey Jesso, better known as The Maritime Carpenter, to talk about what it really takes to get young people excited about the trades — and how contractors, teachers, and business owners can help them stick with it. Full Show Notes Harvey Jesso has lived the trades from every angle. He grew up around construction, stepped onto his first jobsite as a kid, started his first business at 18, worked in brutal conditions in the Yukon, and eventually built multiple companies under the Maritime name, including carpentry, electrical, kitchens, and cleaning. But this episode is about more than Harvey’s story. It is about how the trades actually grow. Harvey talks with Noah, Ken, and Adam about what young people need when they first step onto a jobsite, why the first experience matters so much, and why the old-school “just grab a broom and stay out of the way” approach might be pushing good people away before they ever get started. The big takeaway: if you want young people to love the trades, let them safely experience the work. Let them use the tools. Let them feel the pride of saying, “I helped build that.” The crew also gets into business ownership, building a workforce pipeline, the difference between Canadian Red Seal certification and the U.S. approach to carpentry, and the challenge of helping students see what their future could look like in the trades. This one is packed with real talk for contractors, teachers, students, parents, and anyone who cares about the future of skilled trades. In This Episode How Harvey got started on a construction site at 10 years oldWhy family background helps, but is not required to succeed in the tradesHow a good first jobsite experience can change someone’s career pathWhy yelling, ego, and bad jobsite culture scare young people awayHow Harvey built multiple companies by finding needs and the right peopleWhat he looks for when hiring young workersWhy contractors should invest in students before bad habits formHow to make young people feel useful on a jobsiteWhy “just sweep up” is not enough to keep students excitedThe 46-year-old banker from Brazil who changed careers into carpentryThe difference between Red Seal certification in Canada and carpentry in the U.S.Why students need a vision for what the trades can provideHarvey’s advice for young people who want to make it in the industrySuggested Chapter Markers 00:00 — Cold Open: Stop Handing Kids a BroomHarvey explains why giving young people real tools, real instruction, and real responsibility can change how they see the trades. 01:00 — Meet Harvey Jesso, The Maritime CarpenterNoah introduces Harvey and explains why one dinner at JLC Live made it obvious he needed to be on the podcast. 03:00 — Starting on a Jobsite at 10 Years OldHarvey shares how he first got interested in construction by showing up at a jobsite as a kid and asking to help. 07:00 — Why the First Jobsite Experience MattersThe crew talks about the difference between a good mentor and the old-school screaming foreman approach. 10:00 — Building Businesses by Finding the Right PeopleHarvey explains how Maritime Electrical started and why knowing someone’s work ethic can lead to a new opportunity. 13:00 — Maritime Carpentry, Kitchens, Electrical, and Clean CrewHarvey walks through how his businesses grew and how social media helped build trust before a meeting ever happened. 16:00 — What Young Workers Need on the JobsiteHarvey shares what he looks for in young people and why ambition, showing up, and attitude matter. 19:00 — Let Them Feel Like They Built SomethingThe conversation hits the heart of the episode: young people need to feel useful, trusted, and proud of the work. 22:00 — Adam Joins and the Wedding-Day Podcast MomentAdam jumps in, and Harvey casually reveals that his daughter’s wedding is happening that same day. 24:00 — Be Teachable, Be On Time, Be Positive, Give Your Best EffortAdam shares the core values his program teaches young people before they enter the workforce. 26:00 — It’s Never Too Late to Start OverHarvey tells the story of a 46-year-old banker from Brazil who left banking behind to pursue carpentry. 29:00 — Meaningful Work and Why the Trades Are DifferentNoah connects the conversation to students and adults who are tired of work that does not feel meaningful. 32:00 — Building Your Own Workforce PipelineHarvey explains why he takes chances on younger workers now in hopes they return later as skilled tradespeople. 35:00 — Red Seal, Licensing, and the U.S. vs. Canada DifferenceThe crew compares the Canadian Red Seal system with the looser path into carpentry in the United States. 38:00 — Helping Students See the FutureAdam talks about casting a vision for young people and helping them understand what a career in the trades can actually provide. 41:00 — Harvey’s Advice for Young PeopleHarvey closes with simple but powerful advice: ask questions, stay positive, take your time, and listen. Best Quote Pulls “Don’t just hand them a broom and a garbage bag. Let them safely use the tools. Let them feel like they helped build something.” “If you can get them to the site, you’re already doing something right.” “The atmosphere matters. You don’t just want them to like carpentry — you want them to like being around it.” “It doesn’t matter how old you are. If you want to do it, just do it.” “Take your time. Don’t rush it. Ask questions and listen.” Guest Harvey JessoKnown as The Maritime Carpenter, Harvey is a carpenter, business owner, and trades advocate based in Canada. He owns multiple businesses under the Maritime name and is passionate about bringing young people into the trades through real jobsite experience, mentorship, and opportunity. keywords Trades, Carpentry, Business Scaling, Youth Employment, Mentorship, Entrepreneurship, Workforce Development Mentioned in This Episode JLC Live Conference - https://jlclive.com/Maritime Carpentry - https://maritimecarpentry.com/Maritime Electrical - https://maritimeelectrical.com/Maritime Kitchens - https://maritimekitchens.com/ LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/harveyjessoInstagram - https://instagram.com/maritimecarpentry The Maritime CarpenterMaritime CarpentryMaritime ElectricalMaritime KitchensMaritime Clean CrewJLC LiveRed Seal certificationWorkforce developmentCarpentry educationYoung people entering the trades
