Nexstar Network recently announced an expanded partnership with SkillCat, a trades industry innovator and Nexstar Strategic Partner. The collaboration brings together Nexstar’s member-driven training through its NexTech Academy platform and SkillCat’s mobile-first workforce development platform to create the industry’s first fully scalable, accessible, and affordable training ecosystem for the skilled trades.
By combining Nexstar’s trusted technical training with SkillCat’s modern delivery tools, the partnership aims to lower barriers to entry, improve upskilling pathways, and introduce more people into the trades — supporting long-term industry growth through increased workforce accessibility and retention.
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SkillCat will lead the future development and expansion of NexTech Academy, allowing Nexstar to continue its focus and refinement of delivering best-in-class business, leadership, and frontline coaching, training, and proven services for its membership.
“This innovative partnership enables Nexstar and SkillCat to focus on what we each do best while more deeply serving our members and our trades,” says Julian Scadden, president and CEO of Nexstar Network. “SkillCat provides a dynamic and scalable experience that helps learners succeed at every stage of their career — from entry-level, to apprenticeship, to accreditations. Combining our strengths, this partnership offers expanded training access to the broader trades community while continuing to provide a seamless experience for our members.”
What Nexstar members can expect
Members with a NexTech subscription will continue to be able to fully access the same proprietary and relevant technical training platform during the transition, Scadden notes, as well as added benefits powered by SkillCat including:
● Access to over 300,000 active job seekers on SkillCat’s network
● Added accessibility to essential certifications (EPA 608/609, NATE, OSHA-10/30) through SkillCat’s mobile-first training platform
● More than 500 additional hours of technical training content
● SkillCat’s mobile learning app for flexible, on-the-go training
● Custom learning plans and pre-hire assessments
● On-demand videos, manuals, error codes, and troubleshooting guides.
“Our founding vision is to help over a million people build successful careers in the trades,” says Ruchir Shah, CEO and founder of SkillCat. “Partnering more deeply with Nexstar allows us to accelerate our mission. As we enhance our technology with Nexstar’s unmatched expertise and independent member community, we’re excited to open more pathways into the trades and support more success stories with every interaction.”
Scadden estimates by mid-2026 Nexstar and SkillCat will have completed an effort to combine the member-owned organization’s proven training content with SkillCat’s innovative delivery model and enhanced educational offering. Proprietary Nexstar coaching and training events outside of the NexTech Academy will remain available exclusively to Nexstar members.
“This is an exciting evolution as two of our industry’s top technical training programs build something stronger, better, and well-suited for the future,” Scadden says. “Our members will continue to receive the exclusive content and support they depend on through a platform built to scale their success.”
About Nexstar Network
Minnesota-based Nexstar Network was founded as a member-owned company in 1992 to help owners of home service businesses discover their own success through education and sharing. With more than 800 members and 100 employees, Nexstar Network offers professional coaching, expert training, and valuable resources to help the world’s best tradespeople become the world’s best businesspeople. Learn more at www.NexstarNetwork.com.
About SkillCat
SkillCat is an online trade school built for the modern workforce. It provides affordable, accessible, and mobile-first training for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other skilled trades — helping anyone start or advance their career from their phone. Through accredited courses, industry-recognized certifications, hands-on simulations, and employer partnerships nationwide, SkillCat is removing barriers and bringing more people into the trades at scale. The mission is simple: make world-class technical education available to everyone, strengthen the skilled trades workforce, and help companies hire and upskill with confidence. Learn more at SkillCatapp.com or download the SkillCat app on iOS and Android.
