Nexstar and SkillCat Join Forces to Deliver Scalable Technical Training for the Trades

Nexstar Network has expanded its partnership with SkillCat, integrating Nexstar’s member-driven technical curriculum with SkillCat’s mobile-first learning tools to create what both organizations describe as the industry’s first fully scalable, accessible, and affordable trades training ecosystem.

The collaboration aligns NexTech Academy’s proven technical instruction with a modern delivery platform designed for today’s workforce, giving contractors new ways to train apprentices, upskill technicians, and recruit incoming talent.

“This innovative partnership enables Nexstar and SkillCat to focus on what we each do best while more deeply serving our members and our trades,” said 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.”

A Unified, Modernized Training Pipeline

By combining Nexstar’s curriculum with SkillCat’s delivery model, the organizations aim to reduce barriers to entry and expand skill development at scale. The result is a training ecosystem intended to support long-term workforce growth, improve retention, and bring more people into plumbing, HVAC, and electrical careers.

SkillCat will take the lead on future development of NexTech Academy, while Nexstar maintains its focus on business, leadership, and frontline coaching programs that are exclusive to the membership.

What Nexstar Members Can Expect

According to Scadden, members with NexTech Academy subscriptions will continue to use the same proprietary technical training during the transition. They will also gain access to new benefits powered by SkillCat, including:

• Over 300,000 active job seekers on SkillCat’s platform

• Mobile-first access to essential certifications such as EPA 608/609, NATE, and OSHA-10/30

• More than 500 additional hours of technical content

• SkillCat’s mobile learning app for flexible, on-the-go training

• Custom learning plans and pre-hire assessments

• On-demand manuals, videos, error codes, and troubleshooting support

Expanding Access to Trades Careers

“Our founding vision is to help over a million people build successful careers in the trades,” said Ruchir Shah, CEO and Founder of SkillCat. “Partnering more deeply with Nexstar allows us to accelerate our mission. As we enhance our technology with NexTech’s unmatched expertise and independent member community, together we’re excited to open more pathways into the trades and support more success stories with every interaction.”

Both organizations anticipate that by mid-2026, NexTech Academy’s curriculum and SkillCat’s delivery platform will be fully unified into a single training ecosystem. Nexstar’s proprietary coaching, business training, and member-only events will continue to remain exclusive benefits.

“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 added. “Our members will continue to receive the exclusive content and support they depend on through a platform built to scale their success.”