In this episode of An Educated Guest, host Todd Zipper sits down with Rob Holmes, co-founder of ForgeNow, to discuss the revolutionary "Micro-College" model. As traditional higher education faces a crisis of cost and duration, ForgeNow is providing a high-speed, high-ROI alternative by training students in the essential trades—HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, and Facilities Maintenance—in just eight weeks.
Rob shares the "red thread" behind ForgeNow’s mission: providing a pathway to a middle-class life without the burden of soul-crushing debt. We explore the specific success they’ve had with the veteran community through the DoD SkillBridge program, the importance of "Workforce Pell" in modernizing federal aid, and why the trades are no longer just a "Plan B," but a primary path to a fulfilling career. Whether you’re an edtech innovator or a policy seeker, this conversation offers a blueprint for how we can better align education with the immediate needs of the workforce.
An Educated Guest