What Smart Trade School Owners Should Be Doing Right Now

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If you’re serious about building a school that lasts, here’s what matters in 2026 and beyond.

1. Build for Outcomes, Not Approval

ETPL approval is a starting line, not the finish.

You should be obsessing over:

• Completion rates

• Placement velocity

• Wage progression

• Employer feedback

Boards remember who performs

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2. Get Close to Employers (Not Just Letters)

Anyone can collect employer letters.

Very few schools:

• Track real job openings

• Align curriculum to current demand

• Adjust programs when employers change needs

• Place graduates consistently

Boards know the difference.

3. Become Boringly Reliable

This is underrated.

Respond to emails.
Submit clean paperwork.
Hit deadlines.
Follow the rules.

You’d be shocked how far professionalism alone will carry you.

4. Think Long-Term, Not Grant-to-Grant

The biggest mistake I see?

Founders are chasing funding instead of building institutions.

WIOA rewards schools that:

• Show up year after year

• Improve outcomes

• Stay compliant

• Act like adults in the room

This is a long game, and that’s a good thing.

Until next time, control what YOU can control, take action on something, and don’t forget to smile. Like what you read? Here’s how you can help: 

Share this newsletter with friends who could use a boost. Sharing is caring! Connect with me on X (formerly Twitter) – let's chat and support each other. Find me at @Trade Schools Secrets-WIOA Whisperer (https://link.mail.beehiiv.com/ss/c/u001.NbFuuwrtVixC8Mrf9ptxWPFTyHDJSKDjK8e4SiFVNG2reUm4WnA7xtBzxLoOtWj3axNA33kzNBRJPXJYMwXXF6bpcDrkWs1tRqSACEtUaX