The Skilled Trades Crisis No One Is Talking About with Manja Horner

Episode 340 of The Business Development Podcast features a powerful conversation with Manja Horner, founder of Boost LD, on the hidden skilled trades crisis happening across North America. As experienced tradespeople retire, companies are losing decades of knowledge, systems, instincts, and expertise that were never properly documented or passed down. Kelly and Manja dive deep into workforce development, retention, onboarding, leadership, and why the future of the trades depends on capturing and transferring knowledge before it disappears forever.

This episode also explores how AI is changing the future of workforce training and why companies need to rethink how they develop people. From building internal “YouTube style” knowledge systems to creating better onboarding and career development processes, Manja shares practical strategies that can dramatically improve retention, performance, and long-term growth. If you lead a company with people in the field, this episode will completely change the way you think about training and the future of business.

Key Takeaways:

1. Skilled trades companies are not just facing a labour shortage, they are facing a knowledge transfer crisis.
2. When experienced tradespeople retire without documenting what they know, decades of wisdom can disappear forever.
3. Training is not just information sharing, it requires practice, feedback, repetition, and measurable behaviour change.
4. Companies need to stop relying on informal “watch and learn” systems if they want consistent performance.
5. AI can help companies capture, organize, and retrieve internal knowledge faster than ever before.
6. Every company should be building its own internal knowledge library so employees can learn how things are done properly.
7. Retention starts with better onboarding, stronger culture, and real career conversations.
8. Skilled workers need more than pay to stay, they need growth paths, leadership, recognition, and purpose.
9. The future of workforce development will blend technology, live coaching, field-based learning, and structured practice.
10. Companies that invest in training now will reduce risk, improve quality, retain better people, and build a stronger competitive advantage.

Check Out Boost LD & Follow Manja Horner

If this conversation resonated with you, make sure to connect with Manja Horner and learn more about the incredible work happening at Boost LD.

🔹 Website:

Boost LD

🔹 LinkedIn:

Manja Horner on LinkedIn

🎸 Sponsor Shoutouts: Thank You Colin Harms & Jamie Crozier for your steadfast support of The Business Development Podcast! 🫶

The Business Development Podcast is proudly supported by Hypervac Technologies, Hyperfab, Thunder Bay Hydraulics Inc, and Atlas Elite Lifts. 🎸⭐

🔹 Hypervac Technologies: North America’s leader in vacuum truck manufacturing, building high performance hydrovac and industrial vacuum trucks designed for the toughest field conditions. www.hypervac.com

🔹 Hyperfab: The custom fabrication division of Hypervac, delivering engineered solutions and specialized builds tailored to demanding industrial applications. www.hyperfab.ca

🔹 Thunder Bay Hydraulics Inc: A trusted provider of hydraulic cylinder repair and manufacturing, supporting industries like mining, forestry, and construction with reliable, high quality service. www.thunderbayhydraulics.com

🔹 Atlas Elite Lifts: A premium supplier of automotive lift systems, focused on performance, safety, and long term reliability for shops and garages. www.atlaselitelifts.com

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Mentioned in this episode:

Hypervac - Revolution Vacuums