Matt and Corey sit down with Jason van Koll, the dynamic CEO of innovative energy training company Enertrain (RTO 41335), for a conversation packed with insights on leadership, self-awareness, and what it really takes to grow in the trades industry. Jason started out as a labourer in the natural gas industry, followed opportunities across the country and discovered a passion for safety, process, and developing people — eventually stepping into training delivery and going on to purchase his own RTO.
Jason’s story is proof that knowing your craft and knowing how to lead people are two very different things. He shares how his journey from labourer to RTO owner and how it was shaped by a passion for safety and a natural ability to coach.
Jason is a fellow podcaster and hosts the thought-provoking podcast, The Growth Project Podcast, where he discusses topics such as a growth mindset, applying critical thinking where possible and the impact of the environment and culture of a workplace.
Key Takeaways:
- Jason unpacks why ego and old-school habits are the biggest blockers to better leadership in the trades
- Real growth comes from self-awareness, owning your weaknesses, and never stopping learning
- The commute between jobs is untapped learning time — tradies today have access to more development tools at their fingertips than any generation before them
